Hamilton Academy: Haverfordwest County owner completes acquisition

MSM, a sports-focused investment and management group, acquired Haverfordwest in 2020, having competed in European competition twice in the past three seasons.

It also owns Ohio Valley Wrestling, an American professional wrestling organization based in Louisville, Kentucky.

Owner Rob Edwards has been appointed to the Hamilton board alongside Neil Blankston, “a senior investment manager”, and Alan Currie, “former head of inward investing in Scotland”, who will serve as interim chairman.

“This move represents an exciting new chapter for Hamilton Academy Football Club,” the club stated.

“The incoming Board would like to place on record its sincere thanks to Seref Zengin, SLO FC and the Accies Supporters Association for their support during the takeover bid.”

They also thanked “the players and staff who continued their work to the best of their ability even in difficult and uncertain times.”

Hamilton has promised more board and staff appointments.

With John Rankin recently stepping down amid his financial woes, Darian MacKinnon takes interim charge of a team that would have finished third instead of bottom three had they not been hit with a points deduction.

The Accies Supporters’ Association welcomed the takeover, in which it played a part.

The statement read: “Rob is under no illusions that the club has gone through a terrible period in its 151-year history and the difficult challenges that lie ahead.”

“We firmly believe that our club will have responsible people who will do everything in their power to turn things around.”

Neither the new owner nor the Supporters’ Association have mentioned future plans for the club’s home, after it moved to Broadwood Stadium, 15 miles away in Cumbernauld, this summer following a dispute with Hamilton Community Stadium.