Hamilton vice-chairman Ronnie MacDonald has blasted West Ham United over their negotiating tactics for fullback Stephen Hendrie.
A deal to take the 20-year-old full back to Upton Park was all but done at the turn of the year, only for the Hammers to refuse to put pen to paper.
"We'd agreed terms with Crystal Palace for Stephen to go there once the transfer window opened but unfortunately Neil Warnock lost his job so that fell away,' said MacDonald.
"But prior to that West Ham had expressed an interest so we then opened a dialogue with them. They made an offer which was acceptable and our representatives met with their representatives in London.
"The fee was agreed, Stephen agreed personal terms through his agent and they were meant to come up on New Year's Day to sign off the deal and didn't appear.
"They then said they would be up on the 4th of January but didn't appear so I just cancelled the deal. I'm getting phone calls from London saying that they want to resurrect it but as far as I'm concerned it's off.
"I'm presuming they have seen Stephen playing against Celtic when he did really well for a kid and have changed their mind but I have not changed my mind.
"I'm not concerned about him moving in the summer under freedom of contract because we will be compensated.
"I always like to deal with add-ons - and with add-ons the fee for Stephen would have been well in excess of £2m.
"We are sorry for the boy because he's not getting his big move.
"I think that West Ham are shambolic and if that's how they carry on their business that's up to them, They should do things properly."
