Massone in last-gasp bid to save Livingston

Jul 16 2009 by Eric MacKinnon, West Lothian Courier

ANGELO Massone has revealed he has joined forces with a third party company in a bid to stave off the threat of administration.

The Livingston chairman had been given a deadline of yesterday (Wednesday) to pay off a reported £280,000 debt to West Lothian Council.

But the deadline passed without payment and the local authority, who own Almondvale Stadium, are expected to press on with legal action.

Massone, however, insisted to the Courier that he remains hopeful the council will accept a payment plan proposal he has left on the table after bringing the third party, who he describes as a professional UK firm with previous experience in football, on board.

Angelo said: “We are still trying to save the club and we are ready to put another investment of £300,000 into the club as we communicated to the supporters at the recent fans meeting.

“At this moment no other partners are involved with any investment. I have made an offer of a repayment plan to the council but as a show of insurance to them and all our creditors that we want to set up repayment plans I have brought on board a third party as advisors.

“I have decided to engage a third party to speak with the council and put on the table a serious proposal on behalf of the club. They will be speaking to the council this week.”

Massone also claimed he expects the club’s safety certificate for Almondvale to be reinstated. It had been annulled after an inspection at the ground which forced Livingston to play behind closed doors last week.

The Lions are due to host Plymouth Argyle in a friendly match this coming Monday and the chairman expects the club to have the green light to allow fans entry.

“We are working hard to solve the problem with the electricity and I expect it be solved any day now,” he continued.

“A big part of the problem was solved last week when we spent £12,000 towards resolving it.

“Now we will be putting a serious offer to Scottish Power and hope to have the issue resolved.”

The chairman has also called on the fans to unite behind the club in what are clearly difficult times while even offering to step down for the good of the club.

He added: “At this moment we need the supporters to put any differences aside and come together to get behind Livingston Football Club.

“I ask all supporters to immediately buy their season tickets and I ask the council and other creditors to accept our payment plan offers and show they want senior football in Livingston. The alternative is not senior football.

“I am also willing to step down as chairman and elect a democratic board if necessary. If it would help the club I will still put the investment in but will step down if it is for the best interests of the club.

“I am also offering supporters complete transparency over the finances.

“For example, if I receive £3000 one day I will tell the supporters how it is used and show what we paid with that money.”

A West Lothian Council spokesperson said: “This is now a legal matter and it would not be appropriate to make speculative comments in relation to future payment proposals.

“We have worked closely with the club throughout this challenging time and a secure future for senior football at Livingston remains our priority.”

Meanwhile, Davie Hay has quit his role as football consultant at the Almondvale club.

The Livingston and Celtic legend — who led the Lions to CIS Cup glory just five years ago — insisted his decision was purely based on time constraints and not the crisis engulfing the club.

Hay said: “It was purely other commitments which led me to this decision.

“I’m ready to move onto other things now but I intend to stay involved with football although I won’t be associated to any particular club.

“The off the field stuff wasn’t really part of my decision but I was only ever involved in the football side of things and nothing related to anything else.

“I do hope though that the club can sort themselves out and I wish them all the best.”