Livingston on brink of financial collapse

Jul 2 2009 by Alistair Watson, West Lothian Courier

LIVINGSTON Football Club has moved to the brink of administration after sheriff officers served notice on the club for unpaid rent to West Lothian Council.

The council moved for legal action after the club missed Tuesday’s deadline to provide evidence that owner Angelo Massone could pay off the £280,000 Livi owes in rent arrears.

It means the Lions are on the verge of administration for the second time in their short 14-year history.

If the administrators move in then the club could potentially find themselves relegated to the Third Division, as was the case when Gretna found themselves in a similar situation last year.

The latest developments come just a day after the club’s safety certificate for Almondvale was annulled after an inspection at the ground.

Without it no fans can be admitted to the ground for matches putting the club’s friendly with Plymouth Argyle on July 20 in jeopardy.

A further inspection is not due until July 30.

It is the latest in a long line of problems at Livi.

The club’s main sponsor, RDF, pulled out of the club last week and the stadium continues to be powered by generators after ScottishPower pulled the plug over an unpaid £32,000 bill.

Players and staff have regularly been paid late and it is believed the Inland Revenue are due a six-figure sum in unpaid taxes.

But despite yesterday’s developments a defiant Massone told the Courier he would continue to be in charge at Livingston.

He said: “I am here with a lot of friends who are potential investors in the club and I am ready to sit down with anybody in a bid to save the club.

“My plan is to continue to present my repayment plan to the council.

“I cannot see how the council, as a public body, can refuse my money when the alternative is to go into administration and lose all their money.

“What is the alternative for them if they want senior football in Livingston?

“I was ready to pay the whole of next season’s rent in advance and £20,000 per month in arrears.

“I think with the credit crunch it is a fantastic offer.”

Massone stated that he is also still in talks with former Dumbarton owner Neil Rankine over his possible investment in the club.

Former Cowdenbeath owner Gordon McDougall, who made an appearance at a fans’ protest outside the club on Friday night, has also expressed an interest in buying the club.

A West Lothian Council spokesman said the authority had made numerous attempts to work with the club’s owners at every stage of the process to help avoid this action.

He added: “We would like to assure supporters that a secure future for senior football at Livingston remains our priority and we hope this action will ensure the good name of Livingston FC remains intact for generations to come.”