2023–24 Hamilton Academical F.C. season explained

The 2023–24 season is Hamilton Academical's first season back in the third tier of Scottish football, following their relegation from the Scottish Championship at the end of the 2022–23 season. Hamilton will also compete in the League Cup, Challenge Cup and the Scottish Cup.

Summary

On 20 May 2023, following a play-off draw with Lanarkshire derby rivals Airdrieonians, Hamilton were relegated to League One after losing 5–6 on penalties. It will be the club's first appearance in the third tier of Scottish football since 2005.^{[1] [2] [3]}

On 20 July, the club announced that the proposed takeover by 1874 Holding Limited had been successfully completed, with Seref Zengin appointed as the club's new CEO.^{[4] [5]}

Results and fixtures

Scottish League One

See main article: 2023–24 Scottish League One.

Championship play-off

Scottish League Cup

See main article: 2023–24 Scottish League Cup.

Group stage

Scottish Challenge Cup

See main article: 2023–24 Scottish Challenge Cup.

Scottish Cup

See main article: 2023–24 Scottish Cup.

UEFA Youth League

See main article: 2023–24 UEFA Youth League.

Squad statistics

Appearances

As of 18 May 2024^[6] |-|colspan="10"|Players who left the club during the 2023–24 season|-|}

Team statistics

League Cup table

Transfers

See main article: List of Scottish football transfers summer 2023 and List of Scottish football transfers winter 2023–24.

Players in

Player	From	Fee
Lee Kilday	Queen's Park	Free[7]
Jackson Longridge	Livingston	Free[8]
Kyle MacDonald	Dunfermline Athletic	Free[9]
Kevin O'Hara		Free[10]
Jamie Barjonas	Kelty Hearts	Free[11]
Euan Henderson	Heart of Midlothian	Free[12]
Stephen Hendrie	Queen of the South	Free[13]
Joe McGlynn	Burnley	Free[14]
Connor Murray	Queen of the South	Free[15]
Michael Hewitt	Ayr United	Free[16]
Josh O'Brien	Salford City	Free[17]
Dylan McGowan	Kilmarnock	Free[18]
Joel Mumbongo	Tranmere Rovers	Free[19]
Ben Williamson	Rangers	Undisclosed[20]
Dean Lyness	St Patrick's Athletic	Free[21]

Loans out

Notes and References

1. News: Hamilton Academical 2–1 Airdrieonians (agg 2–2): Visitors promoted after penalty shoot-out . Clive . Lindsay . BBC Sport . bbc.co.uk . 20 May 2023 . 28 May 2023.
2. News: Hamilton Accies boss John Rankin confident he can haul club back from League One . Andy . McGilvray . Daily Record . dailyrecord.co.uk . 21 May 2023 . 1 June 2023.
3. News: Hamilton Accies boss targets League One title after 'massive' summer rebuild . Andy . McGilvray . Daily Record . dailyrecord.co.uk . 1 June 2023 . 1 June 2023.
4. News: News! . Gillian . Gunning . Hamilton Academical FC . hamiltonacciesfc.co.uk . 20 July 2023 . 22 July 2023.
5. News: Hamilton Accies takeover confirmed as long-term directors step down . Andy . McGilvray . Daily Record . dailyrecord.co.uk . 20 July 2023 . 22 July 2023.
6. Web site: Hamilton FC Player Appearances . Soccerbase . soccerbase.com . 18 May 2024.
7. Web site: Hamilton Accies seal Lee Kilday return as defender is first summer signing . Daily Record . 15 June 2023 . 15 June 2023.
8. Web site: Welcome to Accies, Jackson!. hamiltonacciesfc.co.uk. en. 19 June 2023. 19 June 2023.
9. Web site: Another one for today…Kyle MacDonald . Hamilton Academical FC . 19 June 2023 . 19 June 2023.
10. Web site: Another busy day ahead with announcements! . Hamilton Academical FC . 20 June 2023 . 20 June 2023.
11. Web site: It's a done deal! . Hamilton Academical FC . 20 June 2023 . 20 June 2023.
12. Web site: Henderson makes it seven! . Hamilton Academical FC . 20 June 2023 . 20 June 2023.
13. Web site: Welcome back! . Hamilton Academical FC . 21 June 2023 . 21 June 2023.
14. Web site: Welcome to Accies Joe McGlynn . Hamilton Academical FC . 26 June 2023 . 27 June 2023.
15. Web site: We are today delighted to announce the permanent transfer signing of Connor Murray . Hamilton Academical FC . 4 July 2023 . 4 July 2023.
16. Web site: Former Rangers youth joins Hamilton Accies. Daily Record. 4 August 2023.
17. Web site: Hamilton Accies boss not finished in transfer market despite double signing. Daily Record. 5 August 2023.
18. Web site: Hamilton Accies sign ex-captain as they strengthen League One title push. Hamilton Academical FC. 3 September 2023.
19. Web site: Hamilton Accies sign ex-captain as they strengthen League One title push. Hamilton Academical FC. 23 September 2023.
20. Web site: MacGilvray . Andy . 2024-01-05 . Hearts hit-kid joins Hamilton Accies on loan deal . 2024-01-05 . Daily Record . en.
21. Web site: Dempsey . Andrew . 2024-01-27 . Dean Lyness exits St Patrick's Athletic to join Scottish third-tier side Hamilton . 2024-01-27 . Extra Time . en.
22. Web site: Players Departing . Hamilton Academical FC . 1 June 2023 . 1 June 2023.
23. Web site: Michael Doyle signs on. coverangersfc.com/. 31 October 2023. 13 January 2024.
24. Web site: 2023-07-18 . Young Talent Signed Up . 2024-01-12 . Cove Rangers FC.
25. Web site: Adam McGowan Signs . East Kilbride FC . 9 June 2023 . 12 June 2023.
26. Web site: 2023-08-02 . Welcome to Stratford Town Jonny Ngandu . 2024-01-12 . Cove Rangers FC.
27. Web site: Hamilton Accies' Dan O'Reilly announces he is leaving club . Daily Record . 10 June 2023 . 12 June 2023.
28. Web site: 2023-11-20 . Daniel O’Reilly signs . 2023-12-08 . Raith Rovers FC.
29. Web site: Crawford . Jack . 2023-08-04 . Matthew Shiels signs for Dumbarton . 2023-08-04 . Dumbarton Football Club.
30. Web site: Welcome - Reegan Mimnaugh . Queen of the South FC . 20 June 2023 . 20 June 2023.
31. News: Scottish League 1 ins & outs - summer 2023 . en-GB . BBC Sport . 2023-08-05.
32. Web site: Brian Easton Signs On at Bayview . East Fife FC . 6 July 2023 . 8 July 2023.
33. Web site: Josh McDonald signs for Leeds United . Leeds United FC . 13 July 2023 . 13 July 2023.
34. Web site: Gabriel Forsyth makes switch from Hamilton Academical . Norwich City FC . 20 July 2023 . 20 July 2023.
35. Web site: Sheffield United sign Hamilton Accies striker Ryan Oné for six-figure sum after initial bid rejected . Daily Record . 1 September 2023 . 4 September 2023.
36. Web site: Cormac Daly joins Forest . Nottingham Forest FC . 12 September 2023 . 3 November 2023.
37. Web site: Indy Eleven Announces Addition of Defender Josh O’Brien . Hamilton Academical FC . 31 January 2024 . 1 February 2024.
38. Web site: Dario Departs . Hamilton Academical FC . 31 January 2024 . 1 February 2024.
39. Web site: Dylan Tait . Hamilton Academical FC . 3 July 2023 . 3 July 2023.
40. Web site: 27-goal Kirk joins Accies on loan . BBC Sport . 6 January 2024 . 12 January 2024.
41. Web site: Scottish duo leave on loan . Hartlepool United FC . 18 January 2024 . 19 January 2024.
42. Web site: Jake Davidson Joins Hamilton Academical On Loan . ictfc.com . ICT FC . 1 February 2024 . 2 February 2024.
43. Web site: Ahkeem Rose . x.com . Ayr United FC . 1 February 2024 . 2 February 2024.
44. Web site: Welcome Fergus Owens . Kelty Hearts FC . 19 September 2023 . 22 September 2023.
45. Web site: Young Accies Defender Checks in . Dumbarton FC . 9 January 2024 . 12 January 2024.
46. Web site: Loan Signing: Chris McGinn . Clyde FC . 27 January 2024 . 1 February 2024.
47. Web site: Mumbongo Loan . Hamilton Academical FC . 1 February 2024 . 1 February 2024.
48. Web site: McGlynn Loan . Hamilton Academical FC . 2 February 2024 . 3 February 2024.