Massone in plea to supporters as Livingston teeter on the brink

Published on Monday 29 June 2009 09:59

LIVINGSTON chairman Angelo Massone was today sending out a SOS message to Livingston fans as his club stands on the brink of administration, writes NIGEL SOUTHWORTH.

Massone is believed to have told West Lothian Council last week that he could not raise the 280,000 owed to the local authority which has set a deadline of tomorrow for the debt to be repaid.

The club's landlords appear to have lost patience with the Italian and are set to initiate legal proceedings to recover the debt, which would trigger administration, the second time in five years the club has been handed over to accountants.

Massone has been holding talks with former Dumbarton owner Neil Rankine about a rescue package after dismissing an offer to sell the debt-ridden First Division outfit to Gordon McDougall, the former chairman of Cowdenbeath.

And, after a public appeal for funds via the club's website resulted in just 149.50 being received, Massone, who bought the club for 1 from Pearse Flynn 12 months ago, has now appealed for cash from anyone, including fans' groups on which he has previously waged a public row. He said: "Now is the time to save the club and overcome any divisions or squabbles that have occurred in the past. It is imperative that we avoid, at all costs, any threat of insolvency and pay off all creditors, especially West Lothian Council. Angelo Massone, in agreement with Neil Rankine, would like to extend an invitation to the Trust, Gordon McDougall and every other investor to come together and co-operate to save the club. Livingston Football Club must be our first priority.

"Let us all gather around a table, stand united, save Livingston Football Club and manage the club together.

"By consolidating our position in the First Division, we can create a great future for our club."