David Martindale Receives Full Support from Livingston Owner Amid Tough Premiership Season

Livingston manager David Martindale has received a vote of confidence from club chairman Calvin Ford despite the team’s struggles in the Scottish Premiership.

The West Lothian club currently sit at the bottom of the league with just nine points from 20 matches, having recorded only one win this season—a 3-1 home victory against Falkirk almost five months ago. Despite a difficult campaign, Ford has pledged his unwavering support for Martindale, who has been at the helm of the Lions since December 2020.


Livingston Owner Backs Martindale

Calvin Ford, who became majority shareholder and chairman of Livingston in May 2025, spoke publicly about Martindale’s dedication and leadership.
“When the opportunity to invest in Livingston came to me many months ago, the first person I met at the club was David Martindale,” Ford said.
“During our first call, I could tell that his passion and loyalty for Livingston FC was beyond the scope of anything I had ever seen before in sport.”

Ford emphasized that despite the team’s poor results, Martindale and his coaching staff have maintained a positive and professional attitude:
“Davie is a leader, and will continue to be the leader of this football club. He, and his staff, have my full support.”


Challenges on the Pitch

Livingston’s current form has been disappointing. The Lions have lost their last four games, including a narrow defeat against Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts at Tynecastle, where they were unfortunate not to take points.

Ford acknowledged the frustration of fans, staff, and volunteers, taking responsibility for the club’s performance:
“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,” he said.

He also stressed the importance of stability:
“I did not come into this club to hire and fire managers. I am here to build something sustainable that can only be accomplished by continuity, and not making harsh, unprepared, impulsive decisions.”


Martindale’s Leadership

David Martindale, 51, has spent over five years at Livingston in various capacities, progressing from coaching roles to become the manager in December 2020. His tenure has been defined by a commitment to the club and its community, even during challenging periods in the Scottish Premiership.

Ford’s backing ensures that Martindale can focus on improving performance without the added pressure of speculation over his future, emphasizing long-term stability at the club.


Upcoming Fixture

Livingston will look to bounce back when they host St Mirren on Tuesday. A victory would bring them within one point of Kilmarnock in 11th place, giving the Lions a chance to climb out of the relegation zone and build momentum for the remainder of the season.


Key Takeaways

  • David Martindale has the full support of Livingston chairman Calvin Ford despite the club’s struggles in the Scottish Premiership.
  • Livingston currently sit bottom of the league with nine points from 20 matches.
  • Martindale has been manager since December 2020 and has a long-standing history with the club.
  • Chairman Ford emphasizes stability and continuity over making impulsive managerial changes.
  • Livingston aim to improve their league position in their next match against St Mirren.

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