Livingston manager David Hopkin has signed a new one-year contract and the Lions have confirmed they will remain as a full-time club in League Two.
The future of the former Scotland internationalist appeared in doubt when the Lions were relegated to the third tier following a play-off semi-final defeat to Stranraer.
But the West Lothian outfit have decided to show faith in Hopkin, who replaced Mark Burchill in December, in the hope that they can bounce straight back to the Championship.
A club statement read: “Livingston FC can now confirm that David Hopkin has signed a new deal which will see him remain Head Coach at the Tony Macaroni Arena for the next year.
“We are delighted that David has agreed to stay on, as the uncertainty of change has historically been a negative factor in the club’s fortunes, and continuity is one of the main objectives of the Board of Directors.
“The club is also delighted to announce that it will retain its full time status, and the board has further committed to underwrite the forthcoming season with the aim of achieving an immediate return to the Championship. This remains an integral target for everyone at the club.”
Prior to announcing Hopkin’s new deal on Monday, the club announced the signings of released Hibs midfielder Jordan Sinclair and Airdrie pair Sean Crighton and Alan Lithgow.
Livingston, who re-signed Ryan Currie, are also hoping to thrash out a compensation deal with Airdrie for striker Liam Watt after recruiting the 22-year-old on a pre-contract.
The Almondvale side, meanwhile, have lost a court room battle against former chairman Gordon McDougall.
McDougall has been awarded a decree at the Court of Session in Edinburgh over an outstanding £21,000 sum owed to him from the club.
And it is understood that sheriff court officers have frozen that figure in the Lions’ bank account.
Livingston have defaulted on an agreement to pay McDougall back a £260,000 director’s loan.
As part of the deal, McDougall should receive £2,166.67 every month from January 2014 until December 2023.
McDougall was also successful in being awarded a decree last August for £13,000.
Former Cowdenbeath owner McDougall, who was ousted as club chairman in July 2015, yesterday declined to comment on the matter.
