Gary Bollan rewarded as Livingston stand on the brink of promotion

Published on Friday 8 April 2011 17:11

Despite running away with the leadership of the Second Division for most of the season, Livingston manager Gary Bollan has landed only his first Irn-Bru Phenomenal Manager of the Month Award.

A perfect March saw the Lions win six games in a row and move to the brink of a second successive promotion, 18 points clear of Brechin. A win against Stenhousemuir today would see them secure their second successive promotion should Brechin fail to beat East Fife.

The Lions' inevitable move back to the First Division restores them to where they were in the summer of 2009, when they were demoted down two leagues by the SFL for financial irregularities carried out under the previous regime of Angelo Massone. Bollan was brought in by new owners headed by Gordon McDougall and Neil Rankine and he is now looking forward to starting where he thought he would be a couple of years ago. Bollan said: "To get the demotion and get back there in the shortest possible time will represent a great achievement for the players, staff and directors at the club."

The West Lothian side remained full-time despite their penalty and that has brought benefits, as well as drawbacks, with Bollan saying: "It is great that the players are in every day training but when it comes to a Saturday it is a case of 11 versus 11. We have been at the top of the tree for most of the last two seasons and teams have upped their performances against us. Every game has been a test.

"We have had to meet high expectation levels and I can assure you no-one has handed anything to us on a plate. The players deserve great credit for their effort and commitment throughout."

The people of Livingston are beginning to back their side again. Bollan added: "Bridges had to be built and the new owners have done that.

The local community has joined us on our upward curve and I hope that continues as we go forward."

Meanwhile, West Lothian Council have played down speculation that Livingston could be in a new stadium for the start of season 2012/2013.

Reports have suggested that a deal to sell Livingston's Almondvale home - officially known as the Braidwood Motor Company Stadium - and move the club to a new 6,000-seater ground around one mile away is imminent.

West Lothian Council, the owner of the 10,122-capacity stadium and the land surrounding it, are believed to have entered talks with a supermarket for the sale.

But it is understood suggestions of a deal being struck soon are totally premature, even if their appears some willingness from all parties regarding the mooted project.

Livingston are about to enter the seventh year of a 50-year lease on Almondvale but the costs of running the stadium are believed to be high.A statement from West Lothian Council said: "The council and representatives from Livingston FC meet regularly to discuss a wide variety of issues that all relate to the future prosperity of the club. This can include issues such as youth development and developing links with schools.

"However, discussions between a private business and the council are commercially sensitive and are therefore confidential."