Livingston FC’s Burns Night celebration a stunning success

Feb 4 2010 by Eric MacKinnon, West Lothian Courier

START off with a club legend. Throw in a couple of hilarious guest speakers. Mix both together with a superb singer performing a modern twist on Burns’ classics.

Add a dollop of traditional poetry and top off with food of the highest calibre and you have all the ingredients for the perfect Burns Night.

Last weekend, Livingston FC hosted their Burns Nicht wi’ A Difference and it proved to be a night to remember for the West Lothian club.

The evening was hosted by Livingston legend Jim Leishman, who proved to be as expert an after-dinner speaker as he was a football boss.

One of Leish’s first tasks of the night was to introduce vocalist Vicky Robertson, who performed four stunning songs over the course of the night, opening with A Grace before bringing the night to a close with a resounding foot-tapping, partner-swinging rendition of Auld Lang Syne.

Guest speakers were renowned sportswriter Bill Leckie and ex-bank manager Peter Brown, who had everyone roaring with laughter with their stories and anecdotes.

Dunfermline FC club doctor Bobby Robertson recited Tam O’Shanter in the traditional dramatic style but the star of the show was the food.

Club chiefs pulled off a masterstroke when they handed control of the stadium kitchens to Simon Preece and his company Food Creations.

They served up a wonderful four-course meal which left everyone in attendance raving.

But there was one hair-raising moment, though.

Moments before the dinner arrived, Leishman performed the traditional Burns’ Address to a Haggis.

It was a dramatic start to the night, especially as he prodded your Courier reporter with his knife several times during his performance.

Having recovered from that terrifying moment the only thing raised was my smile as a pose to my heartbeat.

All proceeds raised on the night via ticket sales and also from the heads and tails raffles will go towards the development of youth football at the club.

ERIC MACKINNON