Make no mistake about it, Thursday, May 1, 2025 was the day when Hamilton Academical were finally put on the path to oblivion. Not only was the 15-point deduction imposed on them due to a series of infringements upheld by the SPFL, it was announced earlier in the day that they would be moving out of their New Douglas Park home to take up residence in Cumbernauld as the newest tenants of Broadwood. To underline the ridiculousness of it all, this came a day after Clyde, former Broadwood residents themselves, confirmed they would continue to play at New Douglas Park next season after doubts had arisen due to the fractured relationship between those who own Accies and those who own the stadium. So, effectively, Clyde and Accies have executed a stadium swap over the course of three years. Typically it's a tired, navel-gazing, stupid over-reaction when people say "only in Scottish football" but on this rare occasion it feels rather apt.

The house-move comes about over a dispute regarding unpaid rent amid an attempt to purchase the ground. Such hopes are now, according to the statement Accies released, dead in the water. Instead, a decision has been made to vacate the premises, pitch up at Broadwood and explore the possibility of moving to a new stadium within the Hamilton area over the coming years. If that sounds far-fetched, it's because it is. On the whole, even Accies supporters don't believe this promise will come to fruition.

As this paper covered earlier this year, Hamilton have been on the road to nowhere for quite some time due to a seemingly never-ending string of characters who have held control over the club but clearly not held its best interests at heart. This even stretches back to their Premiership days when crowds dwindled while they should have been booming. From then until now, disillusionment from the stands has continued to grow. Instead of trying to pacify or even win back the trust of an infuriated fanbase, owners and directors have treated the lifeblood of the club with nothing but contempt. The fractured relationship has only got worse, leading to a moment last month where a director was attacked in the aftermath of the club's relegation following the points deduction and a 0-0 home draw with Queen's Park, the latter of which officially sealed their fate.

Scottish football sides have been forced out of their homes before and it'll inevitably happen again in the not-to-distant future. It's a far from ideal situation for a team to find themselves in and often leads to a slow decline from which it's difficult to recover. That's why it should only be treated as a last resort, or when there is literally no choice in the matter. This isn't the case this time and, what's more, it has been decided without any consultation from the support whatsoever – the same fans who are now expected to make a 28-mile round-trip every second Saturday to watch "home" games.

With crowds already hugely on the decline and League One football awaiting them, it's hard to envision them maintaining their full-time status. There are hundreds who have previously hung on while empty seats around multiplied who will now have reached the end of their tether. They may still follow the team away from Broadwood, but it's clear to see that many are done giving money to those in charge. It'll precipitate a faster decline of the football club, but it seems preferable to watching it die slowly and painfully. And who knows, a rapid decline into the mire could even lead to a rescue coming from elsewhere, as we've often seen from SPFL clubs who suffer through extreme financial hardship.

Supporters could even consider rallying together and starting again with a phoenix club. That is obviously easier said than done. Finding somewhere to play in Hamilton suitable for hosting hundreds of attendees would be an immediate hurdle and there would be several other financial and logistical stumbling blocks, but it can happen. We've seen it in England with AFC Wimbledon, while there's even a success story in Scotland to follow (enter Rangers joke here).

Clydebank have won this season's West of Scotland Premier Division and are favourites to make it into the Lowland League next season. Once they achieve promotion, whether now or in the future, with a healthy fanbase for the lower levels fully behind them they're expected to make a push for a place back in league football. That's a journey which has taken over 20 years – though they were a Junior outfit for a lot of that – while the chances of them making it back to the spot they once occupied in the Scottish football structure seem remote, but it demonstrates a rebirth is possible. Besides, regardless of the level they're competing at, it just seems preferable to support a team you are proud of and feel connected to than one which simply doesn't belong to you anymore.

I started off this column in an abrasive mood. Apologies, but while there has been some sorrow expressed for what the fans have been going through, so many others just seem to want to point and laugh. Not only does it underline the culture of self-interest which permeates throughout the Scottish game and reduces its ability to grow, it's also an attitude lacking in self-awareness. Because this could happen to your club; it falls into the wrong hands and then years down the line you're left with a husk of an institution which you once cherished.

Good luck to Accies fans for whatever comes next. Unfortunately, they're going to need it.