Livingston are £333,801 in the red

Jul 23 2009 by Eric MacKinnon, West Lothian Courier

THE full extent of Livingston’s debt to West Lothian Council has emerged with the football club reported to be £333,801.10 in the red to the local authority.

The council, who own Almondvale Stadium, launched legal proceedings against the club last month to recoup their debts .

And as the Courier went to press yesterday the announcement of a court date at the Court of Session in Edinburgh was said to be imminent, a move which could put the club into administration.

It has been revealed the Lions owe the council the balance of £80,922.68 for rent for the year ending May 12, 2008, and the full rent for the year to May 12, 2009, which is £170,495.75.

The council are also due £34,971.74 for building insurance for two years from April 1, 2008, to March 31, 2010 from the Livingston club.

On top of this there is also a sum of £8,998.63 outstanding in respect of Non-Domestic Rates (NDR) for the financial year 2008/09, which is also part of the legal action.

In addition, the NDR for the current financial year totals £42,680, with the club having made one payment of £4,268 to date making the outstanding balance £333,801.10 still remaining.

The club are also said to owe the Inland Revenue and Scottish Power substantial sums.

A court date was expected to be announced in a move which could send the Lions into administration for the second time in just five years.

Former Cowdenbeath chairman Gordon McDougall and former Dumbarton owner Neil Rankine are said to be lining up separate rescue packages should Massone step aside.

But so far the Italian has resisted all attempts to give up control of the club.