Livingston chairman believes SFA appeal will be successful

Aug 20 2009 by Eric MacKinnon, West Lothian Courier

Lions chairman roars his defiance as he believes appeal will succeed

GORDON McDOUGALL has confirmed Livingston have lodged an appeal to the SFA against their demotion to Division Three while insisting he is confident the appeal will be successful.

Speaking exclusively to the Courier the new Livingston chairman said: “We have instructed our solicitors to lodge an appeal which should be done in plenty time before the Thursday deadline.

“We’ve been confident from the outset that the decision will be made in our favour but I suppose it is similar to a game of football in that you can never be sure.

“We hope the decision will favour us but if it doesn’t we will continue to do what we have always done and regroup afterwards and consider the implications.”

The Lions lost their appeal against demotion to the Third Division last week as member clubs voted 16-10 against them.

And following their failed appeal the club finally took to the field on Saturday as they made their Third Division debut against Montrose to the delight of the fans and the chairman.

He continued: “Saturday went well but it was disappointing not to have been able to have let the fans know about the game earlier.

“However it was a decent crowd for a game announced with less than 24 hours notice.

“It is also a sign of possible hard times ahead in Division Three and we’ve a lot of work to do if we remain in the Third Division.

“The vote last week was quite close where three votes would have swung it. Clubs vote on their own conscience and that is something I have done myself.”

If Livingston lose their latest appeal to the SFA and are forced to continue in the Third Division this season McDougall admits the club will be forced to trim their outgoings and cut their cloth.

He concedes the uncertainty is not helping the club, the league or the players in the Almondvale dressing room.

He added: “It’s not that easy to shed your high earners if we have to as we have to come to an agreement with people to be able to cut your cloth.

“This is something we are going to have to look at anyway as we feel Livingston has been living beyond its means for 14 years.

“It isn’t good for the players to have all this hanging over them as they wonder whether they have a full-time job or if they will be playing in the Third Division or remain ingin the First.

“The transfer window closes on August 31 and it is a real concern for everyone at the club.”