Livingston Manager Discusses Team's Challenges and Chairman's Support
After completing his post-match interview with BBC Scotland regarding Livingston's Scottish Premiership draw against Kilmarnock, manager David Martindale found chairman Calvin Ford waiting for him.
Ford, who is the great-great-grandson of Ford Motor Company founder Henry Ford, was not eavesdropping or preparing for any dramatic discussions. Instead, he was eager to share his thoughts on the missed opportunity against Kilmarnock and to inquire about a lift from the stadium.
Livingston has secured only one league victory this season, which occurred on August 9, and currently sits four points behind Kilmarnock, albeit with a game in hand.
Ford listened as Martindale expressed his disappointment over the two points dropped and addressed whether this was one of the most challenging times in his managerial career at Livingston. Martindale replied, “No, you must think I’m crazy, but honestly, it isn’t. The club is in such a good place, and we are fortunate to have someone like Calvin as chairman and majority shareholder.”
Chairman Remains Unconcerned Amidst Negative Momentum
With a smile, Ford acknowledged Martindale’s kind words. Earlier in the week, he reaffirmed his support for the manager and his staff during a pre-match interview on Sportsound, stating that he was “not concerned” about the threat of relegation, despite the team’s current position at the bottom of the table.
“How concerned am I? I’m not concerned,” he stated while mingling with fans in the main stand. “It’s only halfway through the season. We’ve brought in a couple of players that I’m really excited about. If you look back at many of the games we’ve played, it’s incredible how many we lost in the last five or ten minutes. I feel we could have secured many more points.”
“I have complete faith in this squad, in the players, and in the staff. I feel great right now.”
The match against Kilmarnock was yet another opportunity missed. Kilmarnock, under the guidance of Neil McCann for the first time, was struggling with a dismal run of fourteen games without a win, their last victory dating back to October 4.
Livingston had a chance to capitalize on Kilmarnock’s misfortunes. Connor McLennan’s impressive goal just before halftime gave the hosts a lead, but they succumbed to Marcus Dackers’ equalizer in the second half, which Martindale felt was conceded “too easily.”
“I’m disappointed with the two points dropped; that’s how it feels,” Martindale admitted. “The goal we scored was fantastic, but I’m disappointed with the goal we conceded. We’re giving away cheap goals to the opposition. Winning makes football feel easier, and right now, we’re experiencing low self-esteem, low confidence, and negative momentum. People might laugh at that, but it’s a real issue. We need to secure a win as soon as possible, and I believe the boys will kick on.”
Hope for Improvement Amidst Pressure
Despite the challenges, there is hope that on-field performances will improve in tandem with the positive developments off the field. John Ward, who previously held the chairmanship, predicted that Ford would bring significant change to Livingston and the broader West Lothian community when he was appointed last May.
Ford, who expressed excitement about returning to Almondvale on matchday, shared that his 12-year-old son declared it “the best day of his life” after attending the Falkirk game.
Martindale, who began his journey with the club as a volunteer in 2014, noted that the pressure he once felt has diminished due to Ford’s involvement. “The club is in a really good place, so I’ve felt more pressure in the past than I do now,” he remarked. “Over the years, my colleagues and I felt the weight of the club on our shoulders; every defeat felt worse because people’s jobs were at stake. I know the club is in a good position outside of my role, so that pressure isn’t there anymore. Internally, however, there is still pressure on me, the staff, and the players.”
Martindale acknowledges his responsibility to turn the team’s fortunes around on the pitch, but he may soon receive valuable insights from Ford.