Elgin City Sack Allan Hale After Gross Misconduct Finding

Elgin City dismissed allan hale with immediate effect on Friday after an internal investigation found gross misconduct. The club has moved on from the 38-year-old after just over a year in charge and now turns to replacing him.

Hale and Elgin City

Hale took charge in December 2023, guiding Elgin City through a season that finished sixth in Scotland's fourth tier. His exit comes after assistant Stefan Laird was promoted to acting manager on 11 May, four days after Hale was suspended.

Elgin City said the internal investigation was conducted in accordance with the club's policies and procedures. The statement left no room for a return, with the manager dismissed immediately after the finding.

Laird Takes Interim Charge

The club said: "Following the conclusion of an internal investigation conducted in accordance with the club's policies and procedures, we can confirm that the men's first-team manager has been dismissed with immediate effect after a finding of gross misconduct." It added: "The club will make no further comment on this matter."

Laird now holds the acting manager role while Elgin begins the process of appointing a new manager. The club also said it can now "fully focus on the positive process of appointing a new manager and the continuation of our player recruitment plans."

Elgin City Next Steps

That leaves Elgin with two immediate priorities: stabilising the first team under Laird and continuing recruitment plans without its former manager. Hale, who previously managed Highland League clubs Huntly and Keith and played for Fraserburgh, is out after the club's disciplinary process reached its conclusion.