24 January
Fourth Round Scottish Cup give Lions Home draw against Saints.
Livingston have again drawn Premier League opposition in the Scottish Cup this time against the Saints of Perth. Livingston have faced the Perth outfit before in the Coca-Cola Cup defeating the Saints on Penalties after a 1-1 draw with Livi's Lee Bailey scoring for the Lions.
Heres hoping we dump them again.
23 January
Livi dump Dons
Livingston have dumped Aberdeen in the Scottish cup. Robbo scores the only goal of the game at Pittodrie.
3 January
Livi Draw Aberdeen at Pittodrie in Scottish Cup Round three.
Having beaten Inverness Ct away in round two Livingston have earned themselves a third round tie in Aberdeen. It was not the tie most of us were looking for but Aberdeen have not had the best of runs recently and we have certainly given Dunfermline and Kilmarnock Runs for their money earlier in the season so we must be positive.
Today's West Lothian Courier carries the shock Headline that Almondvale Stadium has been renamed
"The
West Lothian Courier Stadium" .This is announced to all in the area by a 100 foot long luminous sign erected on the main stand roof. This is a result of a three year sponsorship deal with the club involving a "six figure sum".
According to today's Daily Record right wing star Charlie King has been signed from St Johnstone after a succesful spell on loan. The deal is reported to be a two year contract. Charlie has shown a lot of potential and it would be great for the club if it develops.
Grant McMartin is reported to have signed for Stranraer.
Both deals involved nominal fees.
Following Ray Stewart's unsuccessful attempt to lure Brian McLaughlin from Celtic, Livingston have moved to secure the services of Derek Fleming from Dundee. Derek had a loan spell at Almondvale at the end of last season making nine appearances and scoring two goals. Derel formerly played for Livingston's Meadowbank Thistle alter-ego making 49 League appearances and scoring 3. After leaving Meadowbank, Derek had successful spells at Dunfermline and Dundee before falling out of favour under the new Dundee regime under Jocky Scott.
Derek quickly became well liked by the Almondvale support and is sure to be a good signing. He has believed to have signed a two and a half year deal and Dundee have released the player withou a fee.
Following the win over East Fife in the last ever game to be staged at Bayview Park, Livingston FC stay at the top of the Second Division ahead of Inverness CT who won at Forfar. Partick are fallling behind after losing at Alloa.
Kevin Magee is the first player to be transfer listed by Ray Stewart.
Clydebank are the first club to show an interest.
The Lions today moved to the top of the table again after their convincing win at Stirling Albion. Partick Thistle Lost at Inverness which means the top three continue to be separated by just three points. Livingston lead the was on 24, Inverness have 23 and Partick follow on 22. Fourth place Alloa are a further five point behind on 17.
A source from within the club has said that Ray Stewart is
not planning a mass clearout of players and that the papers has mis-reported Stewart's comments about players interests not being best served where they were not getting into match day squads. This is a believable situation and perhaps my initial views expressed on the comments page may be premature. Time will tell.According to the Evening News this afternoon Ray Stewart is said to be ready to terminate the contracts of some of his first team squad. There are no clues as to who these players are but Ray Stewart is said to believe he has an excess in certain areas.
See my comment page for an opinion.Ray Stewart has been impressed with on loan midfielder Charlie King and is said to be trying to retain him till the end of the season on loan. St Johnstone manager Sandy Clark is ready to allow the player to stay to gain experience.
The rumoured tie against the Red Devils has now be confirmed. It will take place at Almondvale on Tuesday October 27th. It is not known how strong the Man U side will be but it will include fringe players and those returning from injury. I think that all Livi fans will want to see at least a couple from the list of stars that make up one of the most sucessful English sides in recent times. The names the come to mind easily are Beckham, Giggs, Schmeical, Yorke etc.
There have been rumours and reports that a friendly is to be arranged for the near future against Man U. No definite details yet but watch this space!
Prices for the next to Home Games against Easf Fife on 5th Sept and Arbroath on 12 Sept. have been cut to £4 adults and £1 concessions.
Brian McPhee and Sean Sweeney have now served their League suspensions and will be available again for Saturday and the Club is hopeful of a big turnout. The lack of Premier League football that day will hopefully attract a few curious new faces along.
Ryan Hegarty, who was signed in the summer of 1997, looked to be a great prospect in the few games he managed to play. He had a great touch and vision but was plagued by injury problems.
It looked as if he had just about managed to throw off those problems at the end of last season but the problems flared up again. Ryan eventually saw a specialist and the resulting tests revealed that the midfielder has a potentially serious back problem.
The injury, a stress fracture of the spine, is so potentially serious that to continue to play risks potentially serious damage to the spine and so Ryan's career in football as a player at least is over before it got close to what might have been.
All true football fan's thoughts will be with the player now and I hope you will join with me in wishing him all the best.
Neil Alexander the Scotland under 21 'keeper and scourge of many a Division Two forward line last season has finally signed from Stenhousemuir for a fee of £20 000. Livi's last remaining part timer Graeme Davidson has gone to the Ochilview Club as part of the deal.
Neil will provide much needed backup and competition to Ian 'Eagle' McCaldon.
Livi have been drawn against Premier League opposition again in the cup, this time an even nmore ominous looking tie away at Kilmarnock. Killie have ex Rangers Durrant and Ally McCoist in their ranks so the Lions face a stiff (but not impossible test)
Worldwide Electronic Giants Motorola were today announced as Livi's major sponsors in a deal believed to be worth around £25,000 a season. They take over from Japanese company Mitsubishi who had sponsored the club since the move from Meadowbank,
The Home shirt will remain the same design as season 1997/98 but with the news sponsors name and there will be a new away shirt in white with red and blue trim.
The Supporters Club are running a Bus to Forres for the Friendly on Saturday 18.
The bus will leave the stadium at 9.00 am sharp and prices are as usual
Money to Angus Duncan as usual.
Supporters Club secretary Duncan Bennett can be contacted at the stadium on (01506) 417000 for more details.
Lee Bailey is believed to be ready to move to East Fife or QoS, Jason Young has reportedly signed for Stranraer, Willie Callaghan is now at Partick. Watch this space for more news as I hear it.
Bill Hunter the man without whom Livingston FC simply would not exist has decided to quit the board after over a decades service to the club most recently as chairman. Bill had his critics myself included at times but the personal abuse he and his family endured was at times beyond belief and utterly disgusting.
Bill has decided to quit the club without making his reasons public but it was probably just to hard to sit back and watch the new men in charge make the decisions. Bill now intends to stay in football in some capacity and lets all wish the best of luck in whatever venture that is. (except when his new club is playing Livi!)
John McGuinness part of the buy out consortium with Keane and Haughey has joined the board.
John Robertson the scourge of Hibernian for seasons and Hearts record goal scorer (and rumoured boyhood Hibs Fan) has joined Livi in a player coach role. Robbo has turned down moves to Hibernian and Cypriot side Apoel Nicosia. Robbo is the big name signing to join the others listed below.
Chairman Domonic Keane, said of Robertson, ".. he will be able to develop some of the players here as assistant coach to Ray Stewart". Robertson was also signed because he "still has a lot to offer on the park"
These new faces join the remaining faces from last season