Livingston FC chairman Calvin Ford has backed the staff and players at The Home of the Set Fare Arena despite the club propping up the William Hill Premiership with only one win since August 9.
Texas-based Ford acknowledged that a 1-6-13 record after 20 games is unacceptable and he added: “There is no excuse for our poor record, and I want to recognise the anger, frustration, and disappointment that our play has created for our incredible fanbase, our dedicated staff, and amazing volunteers.
“You deserve better, and that falls on my shoulders first.”
Ford said that when the opportunity to invest in Livingston came to him many months ago, the first person he met at the club was David Martindale (the manager).
Businessman and philanthropist Ford, the great-great grandson to Henry Ford, the founder of the Ford car empire, revealed that during his first call, he could tell that Martindale’s passion and loyalty for Livingston FC was beyond the scope of anything he had ever seen before in sport.
He added: “It was contagious, and I knew almost immediately that this was a special place, and that the opportunity to do something great here was palpable.
“Despite the incredible challenges we have faced this season thus far, Davie’s attitude, and the demeanour of his staff, have remained both positive and optimistic. Davie is a leader, and will continue to be the leader of this football club. He, and his staff, have my full support.
“I did not come into this club to hire and fire managers. I have seen the toxicity and chaos that can bring to a team and to the community. I am here to build something sustainable that can only be accomplished by continuity, and not making harsh, unprepared, impulsive decisions.”
He fully recognises the reality of the current situation. Livingston have nine points from 20 fixtures and are four behind second-bottom Kilmarnock and nine adrift of tenth-placed St Mirren who visit the West Lothian club on Tuesday night (19.45).
Ford added: “It’s easy (for me as well) to look at it negatively and to want to find blame. But I also know the merit and reward of slogging through the trenches together, battered and bloody, and finding ourselves on the other side more fortified and unified than ever.
“Rather than view the situation with a pessimistic outlook, I ask you to join me and unite around this team and this staff. I know this is not the easy path, but for now, I am confident it is the right one. I promise you all that I will do everything in my power to turn this ship and help move it in the right direction.”
Ford concluded: “I am frustrated, yes, but I am also incredibly bullish on what 2026 will bring to Livingston FC. The war is far from over. Never give up the fight.”
