Livi coaches pay the price of the Covid-19 crisis
Livingston yesterday became the latest club forced to cut jobs because of the coronavirus crisis.
The West Lothian Premiership outfit announced that reserve coaches Steve Pittman and Derek Williams would be leaving.
With there being little prospect of them being able to field a team at that level, Livi said the pair asked to be relieved of their duties to save the club money.
Pittman is best remembered as being an uncompromising full-back with Dundee and Partick Thistle. His son, Scott, is a first-team midfielder with Livingston.
Mcwilliams had an 19-year playing career that saw him serve a host of clubs, including Dundee, Dunfermline, Falkirk and Partick Thistle.
Livingston’s head of football operations, David Martindale, said: “Pitts and Deeks have been fantastic for the football club over the last two years and we are all extremely grateful for all their hard work and professionalism they brought to the job.
“The long-term plan for all parties was to give the duo the platform to potentially move on to senior football within the SPFL.
“They were both fantastic footballers in their era and both have proven over the past few years with Livingston that they are more than capable of managing and coaching at a higher level.”
Robert Wilson, chairman, added “Everyone at the football club sincerely appreciates their gesture and it tells you everything you need to know about them as individuals.”
Livingston, who welcome their first-team players back to training on June 29, are not alone in being forced into cut-backs.
Hibs have entered a consultation period with staff and the positions of first team coach Grant Murray, along with development squad coaches Lee Makel and Colin Nish, are under threat.
Top-team players at Easter Road are also facing wage cuts.
Aberdeen chairman Dave Cormack is also looking at reducing salaries as the Dons try to cope with losing £1 million a month.