Billy Reid: Winning title will be easy compared to winning over our own fans

Apr 6 2008 By Scott Mcdermott

BILLY REID'S first job as Hamilton boss was to convince their diehard fans the club wouldn't fold.

Now he's hell-bent on restoring former glories by taking them back to the SPL and keeping them there.

The New Douglas Park gaffer is on the verge of legendary status in Lanarkshire after yesterday's win over St Johnstone kept them top of the First Division with three games left.

On a shoestring budget Reid has performed miracles with a mixture of raw kids and experienced pros. He admits if they go up it will be the greatest achievement of his career.

But as Accies prepare to end an 19-year absence from the top flight, Billy revealed the difficulties he and chairman Ronnie McDonald (below) endured when they started out at the club.

They had to win the trust of a support who had come to expect the worst and Reid, on the short-list as manager of the year, said: "This club lost a bit of its identity when it left Douglas Park to come to a new stadium.

"It has taken a while to get the enthusiasm back but I don't think the fans have gone.

"There was so much negativity here when I arrived - it has taken me three years to convince people Hamilton won't go under.

"The club is in good hands and building a younger fanbase now. If we get to the SPL people will finally sit up and take notice.

"These fans have been through so much over the years. People said Accies were finished and the club almost went bust.

"But I know Ronnie and was sure he'd get it right. I was confident of what we could do.

"It would be the biggest achievement of my career if we go up. To be ahead of St Johnstone, Dundee and Dunfermline is incredible.

"We're a small fish compared to some clubs but we're ready for promotion. We still might not do it this season but this club is destined for the Premier League and we'll stay there."

Reid has built his team around a group of youngsters he believes can go right to the top.

The likes of James McCarthy and James McArthur have received international recognition with Ireland and Scotland while Brian Easton is likely to follow.

But aside from ability on the pitch, Reid insists their attitude off it makes them special.

He said: "Last week six of our starting 11 had come through the youth ranks. We breed our own players. Anyone in youth football in Scotland will know how good our set-up is. We have fantastic young players coming through.

"Grant Gillespie was on our bench recently and he's only 16. Remember the name because he'll be next to make an impact.

"The young lads are the right type. They're brought up in the correct manner, seem to be good living and you don't always get that.

"I brought through a good crop at Clyde but their attitude was all wrong.

"I don't know the reason but the boys here have an inner drive to succeed.

"They have bought into that we're trying to do and that's why McCarthy and McArthur are the first Hamilton players in a long time to be playing international football.

"I don't know if we'll be able to keep them by getting into the SPL but I'd love to have them with us.

"We're in no rush to sell and have knocked back substantial bids already."

Reid feels he has struck gold with chairman McDonald who has already contacted the SPL to confirm Accies will meet top-flight criteria.

Their plastic pitch will be replaced by grass, complete with undersoil heating, and a temporary 600-seater stand put in place.

It has been a long, turbulent journey for both men who felt they could have achieved similar progress with Clyde.

Billy said: "Ronnie has a vision and had it at Clyde before circumstances prevented him taking them any further.

"A lot of Clyde fans will still be asking where they could be now if Ronnie was still there. I have no doubt they'd be top of the First Division.

"When the chance arose to come here with Ronnie I knew it was the right move.

"On taking my first manager's job at Clyde we started the season with four players.

"We finished joint second with St Mirren, only because we ran out of bodies. I'm just delighted I have another chance at Accies."