Livingston FC legends return for calendar photo shoot

Dec 3 2009 by Eric MacKinnon, West Lothian Courier

DAVID BINGHAM, Stuart Lovell and Marvin Andrews.

Three names forever etched into Livingston folklore after playing their part in helping the Lions to unprecedented success.

And all three were back on familiar ground this week as they dropped into their old stamping ground to promote a limited edition Livingston Legends calendar.

The calendar, which is to be the first of an annual series to include some of the best players to have ever graced the Almondvale turf.

And the legends were delighted to be able to revisit the scene of some of their happiest memories.

Former skipper Lovell, who led the Lions to League Cup glory five years ago, said: “I was in at the club unexpectedly on other business but when I walked in, I was told I’d been selected for the Legends calendar.

“I guess I’m the only Livi player to have lifted a national cup, so it gave me a strong case for inclusion but I think my first season at Livingston was the best I ever had in football.

“We had low expectations at the start of the season having just been promoted and weren’t expected to do much but we finished third in the league.

“To compare that now would mean St Johnstone finishing third this season ahead of the likes of Hibs, Dundee United and Aberdeen.

“The achievement was phenomenal and, for me, was a better achievement than winning the cup but people will remember that of course more because it was great day out and we got something tangible at the end of it in the trophy.

“I have great memories of my time at Livingston and it is nice to see almost all of them are in the calendar.”

Livingston’s all-time top goalscorer, David Bingham, returned for the launch, knowing that his place in the Almondvale history books as record appearance holder is under threat.

Bingham made over 160 league appearances for the Lions but that record could be overtaken, with keeper Roddy McKenzie closing in on that number.

‘Bingo’ said: “Records are there to be broken and I was chuffed to bits to play so many games for Livingston and if Roddy goes on to beat it, he’ll have done really well to have played so many games for the club.

“At least there is no danger of Roddy breaking the goals record but, hopefully, a young kid will come through and spend two or three years banging the goals in and break it.”

Bingham watched on in the summer as the club almost slipped into liquidation but he insists he was always confident they’d avoid the fate suffered by Gretna.

“It was different to Gretna because I always felt there was something to buy here with the infrastructure and fantastic stadium’ he said.

“So I always believed there would be someone out there who would come in and rescue the club, getting it for a song and turn it round.

“And that is what seems to have happened as the club is doing well on the pitch and they should win the league this season, being a full time team.

“Being relegated maybe helped. People say they didn’t deserve it but the thing is it has happened now and everyone has to get on with it.”