BY DARREN JOHNSTONE – CAPITAL CITY PRESS
New Livingston shareholder Gordon Ford admits he wants to install a plastic pitch at their Energy Assets stadium.
Even before Ford became the club’s biggest stakeholder last week when he was handed a 40 per cent shareholding, the former West Lothian Council deputy chief executive had been involved in setting up a stadium management company.
The aim of the group is to lease the 10,000-seater ground from the council and make better use of the facility outwith match days.
Ford is also hoping revenue streams can be boosted by laying a synthetic surface.
Ford said: “There is a stadium management company being set up and the club will move to a model a bit similar to Broadwood, where Clyde play.
“There will be a separate company running the stadium, putting down a plastic pitch – hopefully next year – and expanding and increasing employment in the area.
“We have a stadium at Almondvale that is probably used 24 days in the year, the first team don’t even train on the pitch.
“It’s a huge asset and that will provide resources to invest in the football team ultimately.
“Meetings with partners such as West Lothian Council have been set up to take the club forward.”
