Latest news with #Martindale
Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Inside crunch SPFL talks as David Martindale reveals Livingston were ORDERED to rip up their plastic pitch
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) DAVIE MARTINDALE has revealed Livi were ordered to ditch their much-maligned pitch. The Lions booked an immediate return to the Premiership by seeing off Ross County in last month's play-offs. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Livingston boss David Martindale Credit: Kenny Ramsay 2 His Lions team will be back in the top flight next season after their play-off triumph Credit: Kenny Ramsay And while top flight clubs voted in 2024 to ban artificial surfaces by the start of the 2026/27 campaign, Livi have just replaced their old plastic pitch with a brand-new MX Elite surface. While the timing has surprised some, Martindale insists his club weren't given a choice by the SPFL. Martindale said: "The season only finished a few weeks ago and we didn't have much choice. "There was a meeting between ourselves and the SPFL and we were told that if we were getting promoted, we'd need to lift our pitch and replace it. "So we've had a six-week window to try and source a training facility and a playing facility. "Naturally, that's going to have to be an artificial surface. "There's no way on earth we could put a grass pitch down, because where would we have trained? And the academy team and the women's teams? "It wasn't until we knew we were going up that we knew we had to change our surface. "It was all very last minute. I think long-term, we'll need to look at the strategy. "But right now, getting told we had to lift our surface and we had to have a new surface to be in the Premiership, there wasn't a lot of choice to be honest." Livingston boss David Martindale opens his heart on life before, during and after prison.. and the managers he admires most Livi were yesterday handed a difficult opening day trip to Rugby Park to take on Stuart Kettlewell's Killie on their top-flight return. The two clubs will also face off in Ayrshire in the Premier Sports Cup group stage. Martindale told Sky Sports: "We'll be fairly familiar with each other by the opening day! "It's good to be back into the Premiership and it'll be interesting. "There's been a lot of change in the year we've been away so we're looking forward to it." Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
David Martindale would rather quit than have Livingston 'survive' in the Premiership
Livingston boss David Martindale says he would rather quit the club than take them up to the Premiership just to 'survive'. The Lions sealed an immediate return to the top flight as they beat Ross County 4-2 in Dingwall in the play-off final on Monday, winning 5-3 on aggregate. Advertisement In doing so, they became the first club to win a Premiership play-off twice, and the first Livingston team to seal a promotion and cup double in a single season. Martindale says there's an exciting summer ahead for the West Lothian club, especially with the backing of new owner Calvin Ford. He said: 'Not last year but the season before [2022-23], the season kind of petered out and it was a struggle. It was a difficult season, but we stayed in the Premiership, and I was actually thinking about my own future. 'Do I want to keep being at the club, when we were constantly fighting? You're pushing water up a hill week after week, and putting fires out, and I felt I couldn't leave the club at that point, because we were in the midst of court cases and I didn't want to walk out the club when it needed people to fight for it. Advertisement 'I stayed on, then we got relegated, and I felt how hard it was in the previous two seasons, and if I felt we were going back to the Premiership and we were going to be putting fires out and pushing water up a hill, I genuinely would call it a day and probably look elsewhere. I would leave with my head held high, in taking Livingston back to the Premiership. Livingston earned their place back in the Premiership after beating Ross County in the play-off -Credit:SNS Group 'I think we've got a genuine opportunity to go and compete. I'm not talking about competing for the top four, I'm saying survival can't be our goal. READ MORE: Livingston boss David Martindale had no doubt his side would win Premiership play-off Advertisement READ MORE: Livingston issue lifetime ban for 'mindless idiot' in alleged spitting incident at Premiership play-off clash 'That can't be what we're aiming to do, every season in the Premiership. I know, realistically, putting it into perspective, it probably is, but it's not where I want to be and it's not what I want to do.' Martindale added: 'As a club we now have good owners behind us, there's a good skill-set in the building, and I'm hoping it's going to give us a wee bit of a better platform, so we're not approaching playing in the Premiership, and looking on it as survival – we want to compete. 'For me it's not just about survival, there has to be more, and I feel that Calvin can help push the club in the right direction. Robbie Muirhead's wonder-strike put Livingston 3-2 ahead in Dingwall and on their way to the Premiership -Credit:SNS Group 'Financial backing is massive for a club. If I was going into that game – me, (CEO) Dave Black and (ex-chairman) John Ward, with no new ownership model behind us, the pressure would have been unbelievable, because we really probably needed Premiership football to keep people at the club, to keep the club afloat. Advertisement 'Calvin sent me a message before the game and said 'we all want to be in the Premiership and playing at the top level, but if it doesn't happen this year, let's make sure it happens next year' and that alleviated a lot of pressure on me. 'It allowed me, for probably the first time in many a season, to go into a game focused on being the football manager, and not looking at aspects of the business that it would have an impact on. Livingston bounced straight back to the top-flight after a season in the Championship -Credit:SNS Group 'I just feel that it's the first time this club is in a good place on and off the park, so there's a real support network there with Calvin. 'I think we're going to reap the benefits from having an owner with his kind of skill-set behind us, I think it's going to be absolutely pivotal for the club.'
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Livingston boss David Martindale targets 10 new signings as summer rebuild continues
Livingston boss David Martindale is looking to bring in 10 new players this summer as he adds firepower to his side ahead of their Premiership return. And Martindale anticipates five of those being announced by the end of this week. Advertisement That's on top of former St Johnstone winger Graham Carey and ex-Ayr United star Connor McLennan, who were announced in the last week. Carey scored a screamer for St Johnstone to knock Livingston out of the Scottish Cup quarter-finals in March. And while Martindale is disappointed to lose captain Jamie Brandon – who is expected to sign for Kilmarnock – he says 'that's football' and will move on. Martindale said: 'We're looking to recruit between eight and 10. At this point there are another three or four that will be announced as the week goes on. 'There will be a minimum of three that will be announced on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, and then another two hopefully done by Friday. Advertisement 'We're not a million miles away from where we need to be and it has been busy. 'But that's good. I enjoy bringing new players in the changing room, it freshens things up and reinvigorates you, energises you. 'We've kept the core of the group that were successful last season.' Martindale says Carey and McLennan will bring experience to his dressing room and said: 'They were two boys I would probably have tried to sign, no matter what league I was in. Graham Carey scored a thunderbolt for St Johnstone to knock Livingston out of the Scottish Cup quarter-finals, but has now signed for the West Lothian club -Credit:SNS Group 'Graham brings some fantastic quality, he's a good age, and he's got some unbelievable goals in his locker. 'He was always one of those names, even the previous season, who affected the game against us, Graham always played a part in the game. Advertisement 'I was actually happy to see his name was on the bench in the Scottish Cup game, and it went against us because he came on and scored, but he was always a player I was well aware of. READ MORE: David Martindale would rather quit than have Livingston 'survive' in the Premiership READ MORE: Livingston 'deserve' Premiership step-up, says striker as he leaves with his head held high 'I was delighted that he was on the bench for the opposition, because he's got those moments in games. 'I tried to get Connor previously, I tried to sign him when he left Aberdeen, and he went down the road [to Plymouth Argyle] and came back up with Ayr United. Advertisement 'I thought he was one of Ayr United's best players last season, and he was probably played slightly out of position. 'He had a really good year, Scott Brown managed to get the best out of him, and I'm excited by the two signings. Former Aberdeen and St Mirren winger Connor McLennan has also signed up at Livingston -Credit:SNS Group 'They offer a bit of experience, too. Connor's a really good age, I think there's more to come from him, but he's played a lot of football at a good level. 'Graham has played a lot of football at a good level, and will bring a lot of experience into the changing room. 'He's highly thought of, Stevie May and Ryan McGowan played with him the previous season, so he's' a really good character in the changing room. Advertisement 'He trains well, he puts demands on younger players, he's in really good condition, so there's a lot to like. Martindale is looking to add more firepower to his side as they make the step up to the top flight -Credit:SNS Group 'We're going to need players who can come up in big goals and big moments in games, because the Premiership is a lot harder to score goals in, and you need a wee bit more quality at the top end of the park.' On Brandon, Martindale said: 'I'm disappointed not to keep Jamie, but that's football. 'Boys get better offers elsewhere and, for me, at Jamie's age, he's got a young family and he's done incredibly well for me, and for the club. 'He's done well, and we've done well for Jamie, but he can go and get substantially more money at another club so I'm happy to shake his hand, thank him for everything he's done and wish him well for the future.'
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Livingston boss' dream summer camp instantly granted by club owner
David Martindale says a summer camp in Holland was his number one request for Livingston's pre-season, and it was immediately granted by new owner Calvin Ford. Martindale says the backing he has received from the club's new chairman has been a breath of fresh air, and allowed him and the squad to get away for a week for the first time in years. Advertisement Livingston will visit Alloa Athletic for a pre-season game on Saturday, June 28, and head to the Netherlands the following day, with two more games scheduled. That brings Livingston straight into their Premier Sports Cup Group H campaign, against Kilmarnock, Kelty Hearts, East Fife and Brora Rangers. Martindale says that's ideal preparation for their return to the Premiership and is delighted with how much Calvin Ford is getting behind him. He said: 'We play Alloa on the 28th at Alloa, because our park is getting re-done, and then we're away to Holland for a pre-season camp on June 29, the Sunday, for a week. Martindale says the backing he has received from new owner Calvin Ford has been brilliant -Credit:SNS Group 'We've got two games when we're in Holland, and when we come back we're near enough into the cup section. Advertisement READ MORE: Livingston boss David Martindale targets 10 new signings as summer rebuild continues READ MORE: Livingston 'deserve' Premiership step-up, says striker as he leaves with his head held high 'It's good preparation. 'We've not been fortunate enough to get away for the last couple of summers, we didn't get away last January – obviously we were in the Championship and we didn't get the break. 'But we've not been able to get away for the last couple of summers, and I think it gives you a fantastic start to the campaign, if you can get the group away, put a lot of work into them, hours on the grass, and relationships get fast-tracked because they're living with each other 24-7. Livingston will spend a week in the Netherlands as Martindale puts them through their paces -Credit:SNS Group 'I think it's really beneficial to get away for a summer camp. Advertisement 'I've got Calvin to thank for that. He asked me what I'd really like, and what would help me, and I said I would really like to try and get away for a summer camp. 'He said 'right, go and get me some prices and consider it done'. 'That's absolutely fantastic, that he's shown his support so early on. 'It's great backing, and I'm really, really happy.'
Daily Record
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Livingston boss David Martindale targets 10 new signings as summer rebuild continues
The Livingston gaffer says 'three or four' are in the bag already Livingston boss David Martindale is looking to bring in 10 new players this summer as he adds firepower to his side ahead of their Premiership return. And Martindale anticipates five of those being announced by the end of this week. That's on top of former St Johnstone winger Graham Carey and ex-Ayr United star Connor McLellan, who were announced in the last week. Carey scored a screamer for St Johnstone to knock Livingston out of the Scottish Cup quarter-finals in March. And while Martindale is disappointed to lose captain Jamie Brandon – who is expected to sign for Kilmarnock – he says 'that's football' and will move on. Martindale said: 'We're looking to recruit between eight and 10. At this point there are another three or four that will be announced as the week goes on. 'There will be a minimum of three that will be announced on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, and then another two hopefully done by Friday. 'We're not a million miles away from where we need to be and it has been busy. 'But that's good. I enjoy bringing new players in the changing room, it freshens things up and reinvigorates you, energises you. 'We've kept the core of the group that were successful last season.' Martindale says Carey and McLellan will bring experience to his dressing room and said: 'They were two boys I would probably have tried to sign, no matter what league I was in. 'Graham brings some fantastic quality, he's a good age, and he's got some unbelievable goals in his locker. 'He was always one of those names, even the previous season, who affected the game against us, Graham always played a part in the game. 'I was actually happy to see his name was on the bench in the Scottish Cup game, and it went against us because he came on and scored, but he was always a player I was well aware of. 'I was delighted that he was on the bench for the opposition, because he's got those moments in games. 'I tried to get Connor previously, I tried to sign him when he left Aberdeen, and he went down the road [to Plymouth Argyle] and came back up with Ayr United. 'I thought he was one of Ayr United's best players last season, and he was probably played slightly out of position. 'He had a really good year, Scott Brown managed to get the best out of him, and I'm excited by the two signings. 'They offer a bit of experience, too. Connor's a really good age, I think there's more to come from him, but he's played a lot of football at a good level. 'Graham has played a lot of football at a good level, and will bring a lot of experience into the changing room. 'He's highly thought of, Stevie May and Ryan McGowan played with him the previous season, so he's' a really good character in the changing room. 'He trains well, he puts demands on younger players, he's in really good condition, so there's a lot to like. 'We're going to need players who can come up in big goals and big moments in games, because the Premiership is a lot harder to score goals in, and you need a wee bit more quality at the top end of the park.' On Brandon, Martindale said: 'I'm disappointed not to keep Jamie, but that's football. 'Boys get better offers elsewhere and, for me, at Jamie's age, he's got a young family and he's done incredibly well for me, and for the club. 'He's done well, and we've done well for Jamie, but he can go and get substantially more money at another club so I'm happy to shake his hand, thank him for everything he's done and wish him well for the future.'
