Hamilton chief executive Colin McGowan has confirmed the New Douglas Park club is no longer up for sale.
The 67-year-old became the Accies custodian in November 2021 after long-serving owner Ronnie MacDonald departed the club and left it in his hands.
Lanarkshire Live Sport revealed late last year that parties from abroad were interested in buying the Scottish Championship club but no material bids ever came through the door.
Now Hamilton is off the market and McGowan is looking forward to the future ahead of the 2022/23 campaign, although there is still doubt over who is in charge of first-team matters, with head coach Stuart Taylor’s exit still to be signed off.
For the owner, his efforts are all focused on the commercial side of the business, with his football board headed up by Allan Maitland looking after that element.
But no new owners will be forthcoming unless the perfect offer that improves Accies is found. New members will be added to the board to help them with their objectives
McGowan, speaking before the news that Taylor could depart the club, said: “There’s been no offers at all. Ronnie has left behind a magnificent board. The club is off the market and we are now putting our best foot forward.
“We are going to increase the board and a few names will be coming onto the football board. We are increasing the commercial board as we have to find revenue, as we know it’s insufficient from season tickets and walk-ups.
“Any offer that comes in that is better for Hamilton Academical Football Club I will take in a heartbeat. At the moment, I am the custodian. I have never felt anything other than that.
“Ronnie had a football board that worked miracles – 10 years in the Premiership. It was a perfect marriage, someone focusing on football and somebody focusing on commercial work.”
After relegation from the Premiership in 2021, McGowan admits it’s been a difficult season financially at New Douglas Park. But they are still doing enough to keep their renowned academy operating at an elite level.
He added: “It was very difficult on every front. But we got through it. The fall from the Premiership is rapid. There’s been an adjustment period.
“We have come through a worldwide pandemic and crashing down to the Championship, with the differences there are in the money.
“It’s very difficult at this level and with an elite youth academy to protect, it wasn’t without its challenges. Slim it (the budget) down a bit?
"If you take a look at the Premiership money compared to Championship money, that is an understatement. The difference is a seven-figure sum. To lose that for a club of Hamilton’s size is significant.
“Our academy is growing. It’s not easy and we hope to sell a player or two. The crop of young players we have is unbelievable.”
Neither the club nor Stuart Taylor wished to comment on the current managerial situation when contacted by Lanarkshire Live Sport.
However, the team are due to return for pre-season training next week and the setup for 2022/23 is expected to become clearer shortly.
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