Hamilton Accies' Broadwood arrival causes Cumbernauld Colts a headache as boss blasts 'farcical' fixture situation
John Doyle says Hamilton's move to the Cumbernauld venue has caused them a fixture headache
Cumbernauld Colts boss John Doyle insists Hamilton Accies' arrival at Broadwood has caused them a headache with their fixtures and branded the situation 'farcical'.
Colts have been the primary tenants at North Lanarkshire council owned Broadwood for the past two seasons and parts of the stadium are emblazoned with the club branding.
However, since Hamilton's move to the Cumbernauld venue was rubber-stamped by the SPFL last week, Doyle claims Colts appear to have been treated as 'secondary'.
Doyle says the club are frustrated that they will need to work around Hamilton Accies' fixture list, and the potential that brings for more Friday night games this season will prove problematic for them.
Doyle, whose side will learn their Lowland League fixtures on July 1, said: "It has been a bit of a farce, to be honest.
"There has been a bit of an issue with the fixtures because there should be an agreement with the SPFL and the Lowland League about the dates before they are announced.
"Our club is not happy that the SPFL have produced fixtures for Hamilton and made us secondary. It's been the case that the SPFL have organised their fixtures and the Lowland League are having to work around that.
"If anything, I think it will mean more Friday night games for us, which will have its own challenges because one of our committee members - who is also our club doctor and an under-20s coach - is with the U20s on a Friday night, so he couldn't be at both games.
"We have an issue there where we need to look at another staff member coming in for the under-20s.
"Last week, we got the announcement that everything was good to go with Hamilton and then, by Friday night, we found out their fixtures when we haven't even learned ours yet.
"The [Lowland] fixtures are out next week and the league needs to work around Hamilton.
"If it means we have to play our first game of the season away from home or on a Friday, then so be it."
Both sides train on the pitch and will be due to play games there this season, along with SWPL1 side Rangers Women, who normally play on Sundays.
Complicating Colts' preparations further this pre-season is the fact the Broadwood pitch is being ripped up in the coming days to be relayed.
And Colts - who are hoping to play their Cumbernauld Cup match with Cumbernauld United at Broadwood on July 19 - claim they have not had a completion date for the pitch.
Doyle added: "My main hope was that we would be able to play on the new Broadwood surface for a game or two before the season starts, but that looks like that might be a bit of a challenge.
"The pitch is being ripped up either this week or next, we haven't had an exact date yet, and we haven't got a date yet for the work being finished, so our last pre-season fixture that we aim to play there, might be a bit of an issue."
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