Hamilton Accies owner Rob Edwards has yielded to supporter pressure and announced the club will hold a fans' forum later this month.
Last month, Mr Edwards got into a heated Saturday night Facebook spat with supporters after Accies fan Ryan Moffat had asked questions of the club's leader on their official Facebook page, saying there were 'so many unanswered questions' surrounding the club amid countless off the field issues and that a fans forum should be held.
He was met with a reluctant response, which was quickly deleted, in which Mr Edwards asked: 'What do you specifically want a fans forum for?'
'I ask this because you had a very clear opportunity to address your concerns in a private conversation with me that I offered to you for the sake of uniting the fan base. However, you questioned nothing, and challenged nothing that I said. I think I remember you said about 5 words. Now you cowardly continue on the keyboard.'
'Maybe you didn't want people to know about this conversation, as it doesn't suit your agenda...but to be honest I have no idea of what your agenda is.'
'I can accept being challenged and being questioned on our intentions, and there will be an opportunity for everybody to do that in the very nearly future [sic]. Not sure if you noticed, but we've had quite a lot to sort out. However, we have communicated our challenges throughout.'
'In the meantime you should definitely focus on other things that make you happy, because clearly supporting Accies doesn't.'
But Accies has now announced today it WILL hold a fans' forum on Monday, June 22 to discuss a variety of topics including their transfer embargo - although it is not clear if this relates to the FIFA signing ban or the one imposed by the SPFL last season - their return to Hamilton for next season, plus their relationship with the SPFL/SFA.
Also included in the topics for discussion are the clubs finances. This comes after a number of issues over the course of the season, including a winding up petition served against the club from HMRC, unpaid pension contributions - which are still outstanding for November, December and January - some wages being paid late/incorrectly and a compulsory strike-off notice relating to the club's parent company, 1874 Holdings, as it is yet to submit its accounts.
A club statement read: 'On Monday 22nd June, in partnership with the Accies Supporters Association, we will be hosting a fans forum style event at Carrigans in Hamilton. The doors will be 6.30pm for a 7pm start.'
'This event is open to all supporters, however, due to venue restrictions it is limited to 140 supporters. We will provide a transcript in the days following the event so that any supporter who is unable to make the event can access all the information. As such, the forum will not be streamed online.'
'The event will cost £10 and included in this cost will be food, a drinks voucher and entry into a prize draw. Any additional money raised from the evening will be donated to the Supporters Association “Accies Family Fund”.'
The top table for this event will be: Rob Edwards (Club Owner – Morley Sports Management), Rebecca Nuttall (Club CEO), Darian MacKinnon (First Team Manager).
As part of the evening the top table will provide an update on a variety of topics including: Return to Hamilton – Stadium Deal and Long Term Plans, Club Finances, Sponsorship, Club Relationship with SFA/SPFL, Merchandise, Transfer Embargo, Playing Squad, Youth Academy and Women’s Teams, Community Plans and Aspirations, Partnership with ASA & Role of Supporters.
'There will also be time given for supporters questions. For any supporter unable to make the event but have a question(s) that they would like to put forward please email acciessa@gmail.com and we will endeavour to ask as many of these as we can on the night.'
