FROM THE PAIN AND DESPAIR OF A PRISON CELL TO A NEW LEASE OF LIFE IN THE DUGOUT
Martindale grateful for chance at Livvy
DAVID Martindale does not seek praise for the incredible journey t hat has t aken him from a prison cell to yesterday’s appointment as Livingston manager.
Instead, he would place all the credit with those inside the West Lothian club who were ‘open-minded’ in accepting him.
They have given Martindale an opportunity to turn his life around in the most remarkable manner. He hopes to be judged as he is now — not as he was 16 years ago — and that his story could inspire others about the possibility of escaping crime.
Arrested in 2004, Martindale was sentenced to six-and-a-half years in prison in 2006 after pleading guilty to drugs offences. It was a harrowing low point that led to self-reflection. Brutally honest, he has confessed his motivation for involvement in organised crime was ‘purely financial, greed’.
Martindale took his first steps into rehabilitation while still on
I’ll take it back to 2004 when I was arrested... I could not see this day coming
bail. He enrolled in a course at Heriot-Watt University and subsequently achieved an honours degree in construction project management in 2012.
Two years later, he was taken on by Livingston as a coach and has slowly worked his way up the ranks at the club. That climb, both personally and professionally, reached its summit yesterday when the 46- year-old was appointed as manager until the end of the season.
Doubts may remain for some. Martindale admitted yesterday that he could yet encounter a further obstacle to becoming a stand-alone boss if the Scottish FA do not approve him as ‘ a fit and proper person’ for the role.
His managerial ability appears obvious, however. Just ask the current squad at Livingston, winners of all four games during his interim spell in charge that followed the departure of Gary Holt.
Martindale also hopes his personal credentials can now s t and up to s crutiny after j ourneying f r om j ail to t he honour of being placed in charge of a Premiership club.
‘That’s a little bit surreal, when you strip it back and look at the big picture,’ he admitted.
‘I’ll take it back to 2004 when I was arrested... I would never have foreseen this day. From that point of view it’s surreal.
‘Having been at the club for so long helps that transition because I don’t think I am making a massive jump.
‘It’s a small jump in my eyes, I am not going to be doing a lot differently from what I have done previously.
‘But if I take it back to 2004, it’s pretty incredible. I am not going to say I am sitting here because of Davie Martindale, it’s because of the people at Livingston, who have been open-minded.
‘It has been previous directors who were here who allowed me the opportunity to do that.
‘Pride is not the word I would use if I am honest because where I have come from is not good. It has been a lot of hard work and you’re relying on other people.
‘My past relies on people being open-minded and accepting of me, because if i t wasn’t f or those people I wouldn’t be sitting here today.’
Martindale’s initial responsibilities at Livingston involved placing cones at training. That was under John McGlynn’s management. Then came Mark Burchill.
When David Hopkin was appointed, Martindale stepped up to become his assistant. It was a role he fulfilled again under Kenny Miller and Holt while also becoming the club’s head of football operations.
That Li v i ngston ar e now prepared t o go f urther by appointing him as manager leaves Martindale humbled.
‘It’s brilliant and I think that’s testament to Livingston and the people who have been at the club,’ he said. ‘I am under no illusions, I probably came in here originally not through goodwill, but financial restraints.
‘So I got an opportunity through the club being in a state behind the scenes and that opened the door.
‘But ever since then everyone who has come in to this club, a host of previous and present directors, have been incredible.
‘Even the players, from the day I walked in the door, accepted me. Guys l i ke Burton O’Brien, Keaghan Jacobs accepted me for who I was, not my past. The players, over the years I have been here, have been brilliant.
‘I have emotional attachments with the current squad because it was me who sat with these players, who scouted them and who signed them, albeit Gary (Holt) was involved in the process.
‘And I dare say if the players had a problem with my past they wouldn’t have signed with the club. So they have been open-minded, too.
‘But the success of the club over the past five years has probably helped my reputation and the way people look at me.’
Livingston chief executive John Ward admitted this was the appointment he wanted to make two years ago.
Martindale didn’t feel the time was right then. Now he is ready to step forward.
‘My journey started in 2004 when I got arrested,’ he reflected. ‘Since that day I have been looking to change my life. It’s been difficult but all the hard work has been worth it.
‘Education was the only way I saw my life progressing. HeriotWatt allowed me to continue my studies when I got released.
‘I found education was the big stimulus for me and the way to integrate myself back into society.
‘Professional football wasn’t on my agenda at that point but I knew if I could get my degree I could integrate myself back into society. I just didn’t think it would be at such an elite level of football.
‘I do think society is changing, it is a lot more open-minded now. There may be clubs out there that wouldn’t have taken the chance on me but I can only really comment on the positivity I have received from Livingston.
‘In my journey, it’ s maybe something that has always been classed as a negative. I have never been approached about the positive side of it.
‘Hopefully people reading and listening to me see that there are employers out there who will take a chance on people.’