Hamilton Accies chairman rages over 'hate crimes' aimed at board as 'so called supporters' told to stay away

Hamilton Accies chairman Allan Maitland has taken aim at fans after alleging they shouted "vile abuse" at John Rankin and the directors during their play-off win against Alloa Athletic.

Maitland said supporters who were responsible for the "hate crime" would be banned from New Douglas Park as he urged them to not come as they "aren't welcome". A group of fans turned their anger on the board and manager Rankin during the match at the weekend. Accies went into the second leg 1-0 down and an early Conor Sammon goal put Alloa 2-0 to the good. George Stanger was shown a red card for the visitor and then Sammon doubled the lead. The Accies fans had had enough and aimed their anger at the director's box and the dugout, while some also stormed the area where Maitland was sat.

Hamilton eventually turned the game around and won the game 5-2 to set up a final against Airdrie, thanks to double from Dario Zanatta and a hat-trick from Andy Winter.

In a lengthy statement on the club's website Maitland did not hold back in his anger over the scenes at the weekend.

He wrote: "In my role as the chairman of the club, I feel the highs and lows of all Accies supporters and fully understand the frustrations of the last few seasons when we haven’t reached the standards expected from our club. I also understand the need on occasions to vent that frustration – however there is a line where the expression of that frustration becomes intolerable and totally unacceptable, and we reached that on Saturday afternoon.

"Several supporters shouted vile abusive comments to our management team and directors that were disgusting and unacceptable in any environment at any time, never mind a football match where families and young kids are present.

"We are