The Scottish FA has written to Hamilton Academical to notify that, following investigation, neither Seref Zengin nor Gerry Strain are fit and proper to hold a position within Association Football, in accordance with Scottish FA Article 10.3.
Accordingly, pursuant to Scottish FA Article 10.10, the Board has determined that Mr Zengin and Mr Strain shall not, with immediate effect, (i) carry out any role at the club which would require them to be listed on the club’s Official Return and/or (ii) be involved in any capacity whatsoever in the management or administration of the club and/or (iii) exert any power whatsoever to influence the management or administration of the club.
The club has been directed by the Board to take all steps necessary to ensure its compliance with the foregoing determination. Should it fail to do so, the club may face disciplinary proceedings and sanctions under and in accordance with the Judicial Panel Protocol.
We note from the records at Companies House that Mr Strain is currently the only director of the club. We have informed the club to write to us within seven days to outline the steps it intends to take to ensure it complies with its legal obligations following the implementation of the determination referred to above.
The Board decision on Mr Zengin and Mr Strain is outlined below:
Seref Zengin
The Board reached its conclusion as a result of Mr Zengin’s acknowledged responsibility for financial matters at the club during a period when the club has demonstrated serious and sustained financial mismanagement, by repeatedly failing to pay individuals and organisations on time, including players, HMRC and employee pension funds.
Gerry Strain
The Board has reached this conclusion as a result of Mr Strain’s direct involvement in the following matters relating to the club:
(a) the various charges contained in the SPFL Notice of Complaint served on the club on 4 April 2025, which were upheld at first instance and on appeal;
(b) the club ’s removal from the Club Academy Scotland (CAS) programme following its failure to secure a CAS award for 2025 as a result of not meeting several CAS criteria, principally around child wellbeing, which resulted in a material adverse impact on others involved in the game, including young players and other CAS clubs;
(c) the conclusion reached by an independent third party who conducted a Case Review into a child wellbeing matter involving the club on behalf of the Scottish FA that Mr Strain failed to meet the minimum standards contained in the “Responding to Concerns as per Scottish FA Child Wellbeing and Protection Policy”; and
(d) the charges brought against the club by the SPFL regarding breaches of various SPFL rules relating to the payment of amateur and trialist players, which were upheld at first instance and not appealed by the club.
Mr Strain’s conduct in these matters has led to several sanctions being imposed on the club.
Jock Brown
For completeness, the Board also considered the position of Jock Brown, notwithstanding his resignation as a director of the club on 3 November 2025. The Board was satisfied that there was insufficient evidence to suggest that Mr Brown was not fit and proper to hold his position as a director of the club.