'Accies Earned Me Big Bonus'

Aug 10 2008 John Hillcoat

PICTURE the scene. It's Friday morning and I call Hamilton Accies secretary Scott Struthers to wish him and the squad all the best for the new season.

But it's virtually impossible to hear his voice amid the boisterous background din as Scott holds several conversations at once to ensure everything is going to plan for the big night.

Nerves are jangling and the buzz of excitement is palpable as people tear around backstage making final preparations for the club's top flight curtain-raiser.

Hamilton's SPL debut against Dundee United tomorrow night is a rags-to-riches tale Roald Dahl would have been proud of and guys like Struthers have been major factors in the club's rise.

He has seen it all during 20 years at his beloved Accies but tomorrow's milestone will wipe out all the bad memories in an instant.

And let's not forget the star performer in this show.

Step forward gaffer Billy Reid. The ex-Clyde boss won Manager of the Year last season for taking his side to First Division glory and showing you don't need to be full-time all your days to know how a full-time club should run.

Reid was a part-time player for most of his career before moving in to management and grafting his way to the top.

His signing of Linlithgow Rose striker Brian Carrigan for £15,000 has left some of the Hamilton audience gasping for breath but I'm sure Carrigan knows his role and will bust a gut to make sure he doesn't let his gaffer down.

I remember when Accies were the laughing stock of Scottish football and couldn't even afford a packet of biscuits for the lads after training never mind £15,000 for a player from the Juniors.

In fact, I cashed in big time from their drop to the Third Division back in 2000 when Hamilton players boycotted a league match against Stenhousemuir because of unpaid wages.

That resulted in the league docking the club 15 points and sealed their relegation fate.

I was part of the Queen of the South team scratching our butts at the bottom of the league praying for a miracle that would see us earn the £14,000 bonus put up at the start of the season for securing our Second Division status.

We didn't have a chance in hell of seeing that dough until news filtered through Accies had been all but relegated due to their no-show. And we couldn't believe our luck as the club honoured the bonus when we survived by default.

I went on holiday with my share and whistled the Great Escape tune all the way to the bank while wearing a Dick Turpin mask.

Hamilton have had a profound effect on my career over the years. I played for the club on three separate occasions and met a lot of genuine folk in the process.

My first stint was for three games to help out gaffer Sandy Clark when regular keeper Allan Ferguson was injured.

I was in between clubs at the time and only too happy to lend a hand plus earn a few quid into the bargain.

I always regretted not being able to work with Sandy for longer as the club couldn't afford another full-time wage.

But I left with a letter thanking me for my efforts and urging me to contact him if I needed a reference. I really appreciated that.

It wasn't until the 1997/98 season that I signed properly when gaffer Colin Miller needed another full-time keeper for their quest to survive in the First Division.

The club was homeless and ground shared with Partick Thistle. Guys like Eddie Cunnington, Gary Clark, Gary Wales and Neil Berry were regulars but the lack of a stadium and finances meant we were always going to struggle.

A 6-0 Scottish Cup humping against the millionaires of Rangers live on Sky TV helped the club financially but not our mental state.

In fact that game was the last time Accies played live on the telly - let's hope tomorrow night isn't a repeat.

Our base in those days was the Enable charity building in Hamilton that housed ONE shower and even that was held up with Sellotape.

The banter was good but laughter would turn to frustration as the end of the month loomed and the lads feared not being paid.

To be fair that never happened during my spell as Accies begged, stole and borrowed to make sure we got our wages.

However, I left on a low note after breaking my foot against Falkirk in April, ruining any chance of winning another full-time contract.

I hobbled out on crutches after getting the custard pie treatment and never kicked another full-time ball in my career. I wasn't bitter. Honest.

The club has come a long way since and I can't wait to see how Billy and the guys compete among the big boys this term.

Let's hope they don't end up with stage fright. All the best lads.