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The lawyer purchased a 76 per cent majority shareholding in Livingston for one pound from Pearse Flynn in 2008 and presided over the most tumultuous period in the club’s short history. Livingston were placed in administration due to unpaid debts to West Lothian Council, from whom they rent Almondvale, in July 2009, following months of turmoil and embarrassment, including electricity being cut off to the club due to arrears due to their power company.
After initially refusing to sell his shares in the club – despite furious protests from fans – Massone ultimately accepted an offer of £50,000 for his stake. Livingston, who narrowly survived the ordeal, were forced to begin life in the Third Division.
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FORMER Livingston chairman Angelo Massone has distanced himself from any blame in potentially costing the Lions a £1million-plus windfall from sought-after ex-Almondvale ace Graham Dorrans. The controversial Italian is known to have cashed in an agreed 20-per-cent sell-on clause for Scotland star Dorrans for a one-off payment of £50,000 from West Bromwich Albion. And with Barclays Premier League big-spenders Manchester City heading a host of clubs pondering a £6m bid for the 22-year-old, Massone’s actions could end up denying the Lions a whopping £1.2m windfall.
(NB Dorrans is still at West Brom)
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livingston1Livingston chairman Angelo Massone has finally came out and told the truth for once in the ongoing financial wrangle at the Almondvale club. Despite stating for months that everything was rosy at the club, and that they were in discussions to purchase the stadium from the council, Massone has now warned fans that the club could face administration as early as next week.
The Italian made the claim at a stormy open meeting on Thursday night attended by around 200 fans, who were looking for reassurances on the future of the cash-strapped club, but instead Massone finally came clean and told them that to survive the club must sell around 300 season tickets or face administration next week.
Massone, is battling to find cash to keep the club afloat, made an urgent plea for support from fans and the local business community to help now or risk losing the club altogether. However, there is growing resentment at the way the club is run. Wages are regularly paid late, angry creditors are chasing money and the controversy culminated in the suspension of boss Paul Hegarty and No.2 Graeme Robertson.
Season-ticket sales for the 2009-10 campaign have been slow and for those who have purchased books it is believed a staged payment facility has been removed as the club needs the money now. The Livi For Life Supporters Trust, who have campaigned for a community-based rescue plan in the event of administration, were planning to meet with Massone late yesterday to seek a way out of the troubles.
Massone said, “We are working to resolve the problems of the club.”
Livi’s Italian consortium are battling massive debts and sold Dave Mackay and Murray Davidson to St. Johnstone last week for only £45,000 just to ease their plight. A bill of around £280,000 is thought to be outstanding to West Lothian Council for unpaid rent, while a host of other creditors still await payment.
The SFL and SFA are investigating the suspensions of Hegarty and Robertson, who supported players in the row over wage delays. Players are due to be paid next week while backroom staff are still waiting for April wages.
The club’s only saleable asset appears to be Scotland B striker Leigh Griffiths. However, a six-figure bid for the teenager from Dundee has been rejected.
