Latest news with #RobertWatson
Daily Record
06-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Former Celtic, Glasgow City and Hearts stars boost Hamilton Accies Women squad as boss hails experience of trio
The SWPL1 newcomers have made a triple signing swoop recently ahead of the new campaign Hamilton Accies Women's boss Robert Watson feels his new signings bring perfect top flight experience to boost their return to SWPL1 this season. After winning SWPL 2 last term, Accies are preparing to host Partick Thistle in their SWPL1 opener on August 17 and Watson has brought in ex-Celtic midfielder Lucy Barclay, ex-Glasgow City midfielder Sarah Gibb and former Hearts defender Shona Cowan to boost the squad. And he said: 'I think our first four new signings of the summer have given us a really good start. These three have added to Georgia Gray from a couple of weeks ago, who is ex-Rangers and has been a standout for Scotland under-19s at centre-back, and can also play in midfield. 'Lucy is one that we tried to get last year but unfortunately she picked up an injury and then spent the latter half of last season on loan at Motherwell. 'But I have been a fan of her for a while. She has come through the youth pathway at Celtic and represented the national team at youth levels. 'She is exactly the player we felt we needed to increase the depth of quality in the squad, with people who are able to deal with the demands of the top division. It also helps that she is a good player as well! 'Sarah is similar in that she had a contract at Glasgow City a couple of years ago and then decided to move on and find her own way. It has maybe not quite worked out as well as she would have thought at Motherwell, but she is a very good midfielder and we are very excited to get her in. 'Shona was contracted to Hearts for a season and came through the youth pathway and was out at Partick Thistle last season. 'We only really had two full-backs last season, so full-back cover was pretty essential this season. The fact she has experience in the top division is important.' On their opening with the Jags at New Douglas Park next month, Watson said: 'When we came up last time, we played Celtic on the opening day and it gives you that sense of occasion playing one of the big guns. But Partick are a very good side and one we've got to be honest about and say we've got to try and take something from them. 'It is a 10-team league this season, so as soon as you are not playing one of the full-time teams you've got to be thinking about pressing the issue in these games to get something. 'From their view, they will be happy getting us the newly-promoted team. But we are looking forward to the challenge and we're excited for it.'
Daily Record
17-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Hamilton Accies Women considering legal advice after rebrand demands
Accies Women's boss Robert Watson has reacted to the news his side could be forced to change their identity amid a fallout with the owners of Hamilton Academical FC Hamilton Accies Women's boss Robert Watson has revealed they will be considering legal advice after Hamilton Academical's owners banned them from using the club's intellectual property. A letter issued to the women's side last week informed them that Hamilton Academical would be launching their own women's team and academy for girls/women, meaning the current 'Accies Women' must be rebranded. The move comes after Accies Women opted to sever ties wirh the wider footballing operation, following the men's team's decision to leave New Douglas Park last month. In a statement last week, Accies Women said they were 'surprised and disappointed' by the move as they 'had an agreement in place with the club's previous owners to use the branding in perpetuity'. Accies Women are set to return for pre-season in the week commencing July 7 and will hope to have some clarity by then on where they stand for playing in next season's SWPL1. Asked if the club would be changing their name, Watson said: "At the end of the day, it will be for our committee to make calls on. I know they are in active discussions and have been over the weekend on what to do next. "My understanding is that there was an agreement with the previous board of directors to use the Hamilton Accies name and branding, but it will be down to the committee to determine the next steps. "They are looking at various options and I would imagine taking legal advice would be within their remit. "I trust that our committee, who have always worked for the benefit of women and girls football within Hamilton - and under the Hamilton Academical name - for over a decade, will continue to do the right thing by the local community." While the men's side have had a year to forget, the women's side have been thriving. The senior team won SWPL2 to earn promotion back to the top flight, while the 17s side won the Scottish Cup and the 15s won their league. Watson added: "From my point of view, this season will be about continuing the good work from last season. "It was an extremely positive year for the senior team and within the youth academy. "Our 17s have just won the Scottish Cup and they've knocked out Rangers in the semi-final and then beaten Hearts in the final, so they've defeated the sides who are arguably the biggest youth women setups in the country. "Our aim is just to continue that. We have a highly committed and exciting group of players who are looking forward to top flight football in Hamilton next season."
Daily Record
09-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Hamilton Accies Women confirm New Douglas Park stay next season
The club are remaining in the South Lanarkshire town as the men's team look to Broadwood Hamilton Accies Women have confirmed they will play their games at New Douglas Park next season. The announcement comes amid a move by the men's team to relocated to Broadwood Stadium in Cumbernauld, which is causing a lot of controversy. Hamilton Accies Women have split away from the men's team, and say they have done so to 'ensure the future of the women's club, independently'. The club won last season's SWPL2, bouncing back to the top flight at the first time of asking. Hamilton Accies Women say they're delighted to secure tenancy at the stadium, which they say 'has long been a home for women's football in the town'. A statement issued by the club this afternoon read: 'Hamilton Accies Women are delighted to confirm a formal agreement with Hamilton Stadium Ltd which will see the team continue to play home matches at New Douglas Park for the forthcoming ScottishPower Women's Premier League 1 season. 'Following our title-winning campaign n SWPL2 and promotion to the top flight, securing a stadium that meets elite-level standards was a key priority. 'New Douglas Park has long been a home for women's football in the town, and we are pleased that it will remain so, as we prepare for an exciting season ahead. 'Since 2013, Hamilton Accies Women have operated under the Accies name and ethos, while remaining a financially independent and separately governed organisation. 'This structure has allowed us to focus solely on the growth and sustainability of women's football in Hamilton – from youth development through to elite level.' The statement continued: 'While we had hoped to continue a collaborative approach with the wider footballing organisation in Hamilton, repeated efforts to establish strategic dialogue and shared planning have not progressed in recent seasons. 'As a result, our committee has taken the necessary steps to secure the future of the women's club independently.' Manager Robert Watson said: 'This is more than just a pitch to us – it's home. 'We're building something special here, and our players, fans, and staff deserve the platform to keep pushing forward. 'This agreement allows us to do that and ensures top-level women's football remains in Hamilton.' The club said: 'Our focus remains on representing the town with pride, integrity, and ambition. 'We will continue to raise funds and seek sponsorship that directly supports our players and their development. 'We welcome discussions with businesses and supporters who wish to join us on this journey. 'We look forward to competing in SWPL1 this season and continuing to represent Hamilton Academical in a positive and professional manner – on and off the pitch.'
Pembrokeshire Herald
04-06-2025
- Health
- Pembrokeshire Herald
Veteran with PTSD fined after abandoning car in Haverfordwest crash
AN ARMY veteran suffering from severe post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) appeared before magistrates this week after abandoning his car following a collision in Haverfordwest. Robert Watson, 38, left his Kia Sportage in Clay Lanes on May 18 after it was involved in a crash. He pleaded guilty at Haverfordwest Magistrates' Court to four offences: failing to stop after an accident, driving without due care and attention, driving without a licence, and driving without third-party insurance. His solicitor, Fenn Richards, told the court that Watson's actions were heavily influenced by complex mental health issues stemming from his military service in Iraq. 'This is someone with complex needs which are being addressed through counselling, therapy and rehabilitation at the VC Gallery,' she said. 'That night, he was feeling extremely stressed and went out to buy a bottle of wine. He now recognises he should have asked his partner to drive, but he doesn't remember getting home — his PTSD had clearly taken over.' The court heard that Watson had been homeless for three years after fleeing a violent domestic relationship, but had recently secured permanent accommodation and was now receiving targeted support for his condition. 'He's had to deal with a considerable amount over the last few years, but he is finally receiving help,' added Ms Richards. Watson, of Spring Gardens, Letterston, was fined £80 and ordered to pay £85 in court costs and a £32 victim surcharge. His licence was endorsed with six penalty points, resulting in an automatic six-month driving disqualification under the totting-up procedure.
Daily Record
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Hamilton Accies Women boss heaps praise on champions on trophy day
Robert Watson's side won the title with a game to spare Hamilton Accies Women boss Robert Watson got his hands on the SWPL2 trophy and says his 'brilliant' team deserve all the credit they will receive, after winning the league with a bit to spare. Accies received the silverware on Sunday after beating Rossvale 5-1 at New Douglas Park, ending their campaign four points clear of Kilmarnock in second, having scored 103 league goals and conceded just 28, and with 21 victories from their 28 games. With final day doubles, Josi Giard was top league scorer on 26 [27 in total] and Sophie Townsley ended on 20, with Justine Strain also on the score-sheet. Watson says his record-setting squad deserve all the plaudits. He said: 'Sunday was really good, being able to finish off with a really good win and put a wee bit of a show on for the crowd that come in. 'When you lift a trophy, you want to make sure you win on the day, and it was good that Josi managed to finish top scorer in the league, Sophie was aiming for 20 league goals, which she did, and Justine got another goal. 'Between the game at the weekend there and when we won it through at Gartcairn, every single player got on the pitch, which was important as well, to make sure everyone was a part of it. 'Every player has delivered something at some point over the season, so it was a really good day. 'Scoring 103 league goals and 28 conceded means we have the best attack and defence, and there was only one game we didn't score in, which was the Scottish Cup last-16 up at Aberdeen. 'There are loads of records that the club have beaten, from a club point of view, and they deserve all the credit that they've got over the last week or so, because they've been brilliant since last August.' Watson added: 'I knew we would make chances, it was just making sure that we were clinical enough, and we were in the first half, with Josi and Sophie getting two each. 'From there we were in total domination of the game and it was probably a fitting way to finish off, hitting those numbers of goals. 'The game went a wee bit flat in the second half, we were never in danger of losing the game. 'But I have to pay credit to the subs who came on in the second half, because we definitely took a lift in the last 25 or 30 minutes of the game, and probably should have scored another couple more than we did. 'But it's testament to how much everybody has contributed over the season.' On next season's targets in the top flight, Watson said: 'The immediate thing is finding a way to stay up. We're going to have the smallest budget, we're going to be the smallest team in the division. 'I'm sure we'll keep a few players with experience, but we're going to need to look to bring more players in and probably improve the depth of our squad. 'I'm really optimistic. I think the experiences of last season are going to stand us in good stead, both for the players who played last season and will be involved next year, and just from us as a coaching staff. 'Having had a year to build and develop a bit more of a playing style has been really important as well. 'A lot of that work has already been done. 'Aside from all of that there will be excitement from everyone, because we're playing against the big teams again.'
