Hamilton Accies Women boss to stand down after vital play-off clash

Hamilton Accies Women boss Gary Doctor will quit the role after their vital SWPL1 play-off match against Gartcairn next week.

Doctor has been in the role since 2014, having joined as assistant manager two years before that.

He will remain behind the scenes at the club, supporting and developing coaches, while "advising the club committee on the planning an organising of the football department".

Hamilton Accies finished second-bottom of the SWPL1 table this season, and face a play-off against Airdrie side Gartcairn, who were SWPL2 runner-up, in the play-off final at Broadwood Stadium in Cumbernauld on Sunday, June 4.

Previous league reconstruction in 2015 meant Accies dropped down to the inaugural SWPL2 in 2015, but Doctor led them to the title.

Relegation again followed, but Doctor led Accies to promotion back to SWPl1 in June 2021, and they maintained that position due to reconstruction in 2022.

A statement issued yesterday by Hamilton Accies Women said: "Over this period, Gary has managed the team for 221 competitive games and has also overseen many of the club's academy players come through and establish themselves in the first-team and beyond, as well as giving many other young players their first taste of regular senior football.

"Some have gone on to domestic titles and gain international recognition."

Doctor said: "It has been an incredibly difficult decision, weighing everything up, however, over the last few months it felt increasingly that now is the time to step down after eight years as a manager and 11 overall with the team.

"It has certainly been quite a rollercoaster over the years, with many highs and lows, but never a dull season with them all going to the wire - and this is no exception.

"I want to