This is a list of Hamilton Academical F.C. seasons in Scottish football, from their foundation in 1874 onwards. It details the club's achievements in senior league and cup competitions and the top scorers for each season. The list of top scorers also chronicles how the club's scoring records have progressed throughout the club's history.
Summary
edit
Hamilton Academical were formed in late 1874 by the rector and pupils of Hamilton Academy. The club soon became members of the Scottish Football Association and initially began competing in the Scottish Cup and Qualifying Cup, before joining the Scottish Football League in November 1897 following the resignation of Renton.[1]
They have twice been runners up in the Scottish Cup, in 1910–11 (losing to Celtic after a replay)[2] and in 1934–35 (losing to Rangers).[3] The 1920s and 30s was the most successful period in the history of the Accies, when they achieved a highest finish of 4th in the top tier of Scottish football (also in 1935) and reached the semi-final of the Scottish Cup on three further occasions in 1925, 1930 and 1932.[4]
They maintained their place in the highest division for 33 consecutive seasons from 1906 until the interruption of World War II in 1939; in the first season after the end of conflict, 1946–47, the club was unable to field a competitive side and finished bottom of the table with only 11 points, bringing the long run to an end.[5]
Seasons
editNotes
edit- ^ First season playing home matches at Douglas Park.
- ^ Hamilton Academical took Renton's place in the league and fulfilled the club's remaining fixtures.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l The Scottish Cup was not held in the 1914–15, 1915–16, 1916–17, 1917–18 or 1918–19 seasons due to World War I, or the 1939–40, 1940–41, 1941–42, 1942–43, 1943–44, 1944–45 or 1945–46 seasons due to World War II.[3]
- ^ 4th place in the 1934–35 Scottish Division One is Hamilton's highest-ever league finish.
- ^ Top scorer in division.[12]
- ^ a b c d e f g The official Scottish Football League was suspended from 1939 to 1946 due to World War II. Unofficial competitions were held.
- ^ The teams placed 1st–6th were added to the new First Division, but it remained the 2nd tier below the new Premier Division.
- ^ First Scottish Cup tie won in 9 years (since 1974–75).
- ^ Last season playing home matches at Douglas Park.
- ^ The teams placed 8th–12th were relegated to the Second Division, with a new Third Division below.
- ^ a b c d e Home matches played at Firhill Stadium, Glasgow.
- ^ a b Home matches played at Cliftonhill Stadium, Coatbridge.
- ^ The Scottish Challenge Cup was not held in the 1998–99 season.
- ^ Hamilton Academical were penalised 15 points for breaking league rules (failing to fulfil a fixture against Stenhousemuir, after their players went on strike due to non-payments of wages);[18] they would otherwise have finished 7th.
- ^ First season playing home matches at New Douglas Park.
- ^ Top scorer in division.[21]
- ^ The leagues were renamed for the 2013–14 season, but the divisions remained as before.
- ^ Promoted via play-offs
- ^ Won in relegation play-offs
- ^ 2019–20 Scottish Premiership postponed in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Scotland; season curtailed and standings at time of postponement declared final on 18 May 2020.[22]
- ^ Relegated via play-offs
League performance summary
editThe Scottish Football League was founded in 1890 and, other than during seven years of hiatus during World War II,[a] the national top division has been played every season since.[b] The following is a summary of Hamilton's divisional status:
- 123 total eligible seasons (including 2019–20)
- 47 seasons in top level[c]
- 63 seasons in second level[d]
- 5 seasons in third level[e]
- 1 seasons in fourth level[f]
- 7 seasons not involved – before club was league member
- ^ The incomplete 1939–40 edition has not been counted in the totals.
- ^ The top tier became the Scottish Premier League in 1998, and all four divisions became the Scottish Professional Football League in 2013.
- ^ Has existed between 1890–1939, and since 1946.
- ^ Has existed between 1893–1915, 1921–1939 and since 1946.
- ^ Has existed between 1923–1926, 1946–1949, and since 1976.
- ^ Has existed since 1994.
References
edit- ^ "Accies News". Hamilton Academical F.C. 26 February 2012. Archived from the original on 7 April 2014. Retrieved 27 February 2012.
- ^ "Scottish Cup – Replayed Final". Glasgow Herald. 17 April 1911. Retrieved 11 August 2018 – via The Celtic Wiki (scan).
- ^ a b c d "Scottish Cup - Past Winners". Scottish Football Association. Retrieved 26 July 2018.
- ^ "Accies in the Quarter Final". Hamilton Academical F.C. 3 March 2017. Retrieved 11 August 2018.
- ^ Andy McGilvray (12 January 2018). "Former Hamilton Accies secretary Scott Struthers makes[sic] a nostalgic look back on club's glory days in 1930s". Daily Record. Retrieved 11 August 2018.
- ^ 1874-1897: Pre-Scottish League entry, Hamilton Academical Memory Bank
- ^ 1894/95, Hamilton Academical Memory Bank
- ^ 1895/96, Hamilton Academical Memory Bank
- ^ 1896/97, Hamilton Academical Memory Bank
- ^ 1897/98 – 1938/39: Scottish League history pre-war, Hamilton Academical Memory Bank
- ^ a b "Victory Cup". Scottish Football Historical Archive. Archived from the original on 11 August 2018. Retrieved 11 August 2018.
- ^ "Scotland - List of Topscorers". RSSSF. 7 June 2018. Retrieved 16 October 2018.
- ^ 1939/40 – 1945/46: Wartime games, Hamilton Academical Memory Bank
- ^ a b c d e "Summer Cup". Scottish Football Historical Archive. Archived from the original on 11 August 2018. Retrieved 11 August 2018.
- ^ "Southern Football League". Scottish Football History. Archived from the original on 21 October 2009. Retrieved 11 August 2018.
- ^ 1946/47 – 1993/94: Post-war Douglas Park era, Hamilton Academical Memory Bank
- ^ 1994/95 – 2000/01: Groundless seasons, Hamilton Academical Memory Bank
- ^ Accies down as appeal fails, BBC News, 5 May 2000
- ^ 2001-02 to 2010-11: New Douglas Park era, Hamilton Academical Memory Bank
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o "Squad". Soccerway. Retrieved 27 July 2018.
- ^ "May: I've loved my time at Accies". Daily Record. 9 May 2013. Retrieved 17 June 2014.
- ^ "Celtic champions & Hearts relegated after SPFL ends season". BBC Sport. 18 May 2020. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
Sources
editExternal links
edit- Video clip of the 1935 Scottish Cup final by Pathé News
- Hamilton Academical at Football Club History Database
- Club History at Hamilton Academical Memory Bank