David up to the job
New Livi boss is delighted
New Livingston boss David Martindale recalls sitting in a police cell 16 years ago.
He knew then that he needed to change his ways – but he admits he could never have imagined that leading to being appointed manager of a Scottish Premiership football club.
Martindale was named as Livi boss on Monday following a successful four-game stint as interim in which he won all four games.
It marks a further step in his rise up the ranks with the Lions, having first joined seven years ago. Since then, his roles have changed – and been progressively of more importance.
From coach, to assistant manager, to head of football operations. Now, to manager. There can be no denying that he’s played a huge role in the club’s remarkable rise from Scottish football’s third tier to last season’s fifth place finish in the Premiership – and a League Cup semi- final berth next month.
His journey from a six-and-ahalf year prison sentence for his role in organised crime is one he describes as ‘surreal’ but it’s not one he takes pride in, given the start of that long path.
He said: “I’ll take it back to 2004 when I was arrested. I would never have foreseen this day.
“That’s a little bit surreal, when you strip it back and look
My past relies on people being open-minded David Martindale
at the big picture.
“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.”
He admits it has held him back – but makes no qualms about that being the case and paid tribute to those at the club for their support.
He continued: “I think it has held me back and I think it still will, but I don’t have a problem with that, I deserve it.
“The wall I have to climb is a little higher than everyone else, but I have made my bed and I will lie in it.
“You do rely on other people – I am relying on the SFA to accept me as a manager. There still may be an obstacle further down the line where the SFA might not see me as a fit and proper person to be a manager.
“So you’re relying on other
people’s good nature, goodwill, maybe even legislation. It’s outwith my hands, and as an exoffender it’s always a bit outwith your hands.”
He added: “I think it’s testament to Livingston and the people who have been at the club.
“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.
“It would have been easy for them to be negative about it but I don’t think they have. The players, over the seven years
I have been here, have been brilliant. I dare say if the players had a problem with my past they wouldn’t have signed with the club, so they have been openminded, too.
“The success of the club over the past five years has probably helped my reputation.”