David Stoker elected to Livingston FC board

Feb 11 2010 by Eric MacKinnon, West Lothian Courier

THIS time last year David Stoker wasn’t even allowed to set foot inside Almondvale.

But, fast forward 12 months, the lifelong Livingston fan now has a seat on the club board.

It has been a sensational turnaround for the long-time editor of the club programme, who was banned from home matches by former owner Angelo Massone for criticising his leadership at Almondvale.

Stoker was last week elected to the club’s board as the representative of the Livi for Life Supporters Trust after polling a majority of the votes to pip Trust colleague David Wilson for the newly created post which has a two-year term.

And Stoker admits he is thrilled to have the chance to sit on the board of a club he has followed for over 20 years.

“It is a big honour for me and I’m absolutely delighted to win the vote as I’ve been a fan for such a long time,” revealed Stoker.

“I lived next to Meadowbank as a kid and my first game was as a 10-year-old in 1988.

“I was at the first game as Livingston FC as well and I’ve been a fan of the club for over 22 years.

“I’ve seen it all over the last 15 years with numerous highs, a few lows and three championship wins as well.

“I was also at the League Cup Final win in 2004 with my wee boy, who was just four at the time, and that day meant a lot to me.

“I have to take my hat off to David Wilson, it was a close vote. Either of us would have been a worthy winner and Dave would have done a fantastic job as well.”

Stoker joins the board at a time when the Lions are eyeing the Third Division title and he reckons he could take part in his fourth Livingston title party.

He said: “I think there is a good chance of me seeing my fourth championship win this year but East Stirling are a good side.

“We definitely have the squad to do it and the players have shown during the season they are capable of winning the league but we all know it won’t be easy and I’m not counting my chickens just yet.

“The three games against East Stirling will be key.”

Livingston chief executive Ged Nixon has spoken publicly of his desire to build bridges with club’s supporters.

And Stoker insists his election underlines the differences between the new regime in charge of the club and the old regime of a year ago.

He added: “If you had told me last year – when I wasn’t even allowed in the stadium – that I’d be on the board today, I’d never have believed it.

“I had a few disagreements with the previous owner and I identified at an early stage he wasn’t doing what was right for the club.

“As a result, he decided I wasn’t welcome at home matches, although I did still go to all the away games to watch the team.

“I’m just glad all that is over, to be honest.

“I’ve been involved with putting the club programme for a long time and I’ve always wanted to help the club in any way I can.

“When Ged Nixon and the rest of the board became involved in the summer, they opened up a place on the board to a member of the Trust.

“So I put myself forward for that and I’m delighted to have been elected.

“I’m not on the board for myself. I want to do what I can to help the club back to health and work with the rest of the board who have already been doing a fantastic job getting this club back on track.

“I think we are in a lot better shape than we were in the summer but there is still a lot of work to do.

“It is great news for the Trust that the club are so receptive to us.

“The Trust is all about involving supporters more and I think it is a leap of faith from the current board to allow a Trust member to join them but, hopefully, it will be a decision which will be beneficial to everybody.”