BY DARREN JOHNSTONE – Capital City Press
Gordon McDougall has claimed that he is still lawfully the Livingston chairman – despite attempts to remove him from his post.
McDougall is involved in a power struggle at the troubled West Lothian outfit after his relationship with those pulling the strings broke down when he began legal proceedings to recover over £13,000 due to him.
Livingston said in a statement on July 20 that director Robert Wilson would assume the rule of interim chairman following a board meeting.
However, Wilson’s appointment has been thrown into doubt after it was claimed that he had not been officially recognised as a club director in the first place.
McDougall, who is currently out of the country, said: “I have not left the club. Legal advice has been sought by me over the constitutional effectiveness and legality of the Livingston Football Club board who took this decision on this issue.
“I have sought clarification from the people running the club over this position but as yet I have not received a reply.
“It should be noted that although I held the position of chairman, I have in effect not been party to any decision making in relation to the running of the club since late 2013 following the fall out and loss of the previous CEO Ged Nixon.”
McDougall has also responded to claims made by Livingston that his agreement to be paid back just over £2,000 per month as part of the £260,000 he loaned the Lions was made with former principle shareholder Neil Rankine and not the club.
McDougall added: “The apparent dispute is to my knowledge entirely based on the agreement penned between myself and Livingston FC.
“I would emphasise the signature of Robert Laing Wilson on behalf of the club in October 2013.”
Livingston fans have grown increasingly concerned by the club’s off-field woes.
The club were hit with a five-point penalty and £10,000 fine by the SPFL last November after pleading guilty to tax offences.
The Scottish FA then meted out a blanket signing ban and £5,000 fine in April after Rankine broke dual interest rules over his involvement in East Fife.
This embargo was only lifted in June when Rankine handed his shareholding to Livingston fan and former West Lothian Council official Gordon Ford.
The Championship outfit were also criticised for re-signing Declan Gallagher while the defender appeals his conviction and sentence over an assault using a baseball bat.
Just last week main sponsors Energy Assets severed all ties with the club due to the bad publicity plaguing Livingston.
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