LIVINGSTON chairman Angelo Massone was warned today to be in no doubt that his club will be plunged into administration next week unless he settles the £280,000 bill owed to West Lothian Council.
The local authority's line has hardened over the past seven days following another week of turmoil at Almondvale Stadium.
It appears the delay in settling an outstanding £32,000 Scottish Power bill, coupled with another late payment to the counci
l of £10,000 for monthly rent and a public rally against Massone, organised by fans, has convinced councillors that they must act to retrieve taxpayers' cash.
If Massone fails to prove to the club's landlords by Tuesday that he can settle the debt, they will seek a court order for the sum, which would then trigger administration, the second time in five years the First Division club has been in that situation.
That would result in a "fire sale" of any remaining assets belonging to the club.
A West Lothian Council spokesman said: "If they do not come up with a proposal that is deemed reasonable and viable then the council will look at its options to retrieve the money. That could be a court order which would lead to the club being put into administration.
"Although it might appear to be a drastic outcome for the council to force the town's football team into administration, we feel the time has come when we need to act.
"Just like any other council tenant who continually fails to pay rent, the council will act in a legal way to recover taxpayers' money.
"Although it may be unpopular to some, we feel that the balance of public opinion would agree with us taking this route."
Massone's stock in the town was further eroded after the lights went out at Almondvale.
The termination of the electricity supply affected 29 other businesses with companies working out of offices at the stadium left in the dark for more than 24 hours.
Among those hit was family-run meat supplier Campbell's, which only recently resumed trading following a fire at its Broxburn factory in May.
Fans were planning a further protest at the stadium tonight and Livingston MSP, Angela Constance, called on Massone to pay up or go. She said: "I urge the board of Livingston FC to address this serious situation as a matter of urgency. If they cannot resolve their difficulties, then they should allow someone who will to do so now."
And David Stoker, chairman of the Livi Lions Supporters' Club, said: "We would like to make public our very real fears for the future of Livingston Football Club under the stewardship of its current owner Angelo Massone.
"The club's dire financial position is by now well documented and it is clear to us that Mr Massone does not possess the wherewithal or business acumen to turn the situation around.
"In addition, it is our belief that Mr Massone has waged a deliberate, yet unsuccessful, campaign to try to ostracise the LLSC in order to create divisions within the Livingston support. As such, we'd like to join our fellow supporters' groups in calling for Mr Massone to finally do what is right for Livingston, its supporters and the West Lothian community, and relinquish his interest in our club without delay."
Another source of income was pulled yesterday when the club's shirt sponsors, RDF Consulting, decided not to continue their relationship with the club.
However, Massone, who did not respond to an Evening News request for an interview, could be rescued by former Dumbarton owner Neil Rankine, who was flying in from the US this week to discuss a rescue package with the Italian. Massone has said he will not sell his stake and recently turned down an offer from former Cowdenbeath chairman Gordon McDougall to buy the club.
However, he is interested in Rankine's proposal. Rankine said: "Angelo looks to be in serious difficulty. I am looking to invest in football again and an agent approached him on my behalf to ask whether Livingston was for sale and at what price."
Rankine has asked to see the books and was expecting a full and frank discussion with Massone about the club's financial position, any other potential finance and long-term goals.
Current manager Paul Hegarty is, officially, still in charge of football matters after being suspended by Massone in April. However, as his salary has not been paid since April, he is unlikely to return unless Massone goes.
But with a Challenge Cup tie away to Queen of the South, looming on Saturday, 25 July, getting through the week ahead will be the club's biggest victory in years.
June 2007: Massone's Livi Dream company buys the club for £1 from Pearse Flynn.
27 June: Scottish Football League lift club's transfer embargo after new regime pays ex-captain Emmanuel Dorado's unpaid wages, around £50,000.
1 July: Roberto Landi appointed as manager. Davie Hay becomes football advisor.
15 August: Massone claims he can make Livingston into Scotland's "third force" within three seasons.
2 September: Transfer window closes with Massone refusing offers for star men James McPake, Murray Davidson, Dave Mackay and Leigh Griffiths, saying: "Livingston are not a selling club."
20 September: Club leads First Division following a 3-0 victory at Dundee.
22 November: First reports of financial trouble appear as a string of creditors make claims for cash, HM Customs chases unpaid tax bill and Scottish Power demands payment.
1 December: Massone sacks Landi following shock defeat to East Fife in the Homecoming Scottish Cup. The team had taken just four points from a possible 18 in the league.
4 December: Paul Hegarty appointed manager – the ninth in four years. Captain James McPake signs contract with Coventry City.
24 January: Flynn wins his £333,000 court battle after claiming he advanced the money to keep Livingston afloat in 2008 on the proviso it was paid back when the final instalment of an Almondvale nightclub deal with house builders Gladedale was transferred to the club. Massone, a lawyer, argued the cash belonged to the club and launched a counter claim for £600,000 which has still to be heard.
14 April: Massone bans players and management from Livi Lions Supporters' Club awards dinner at Pumpherston golf club, saying the fans are not helping the club by holding the event away from Almondvale.
25 April: Hegarty and assistant Graeme Robertson suspended for "gross misconduct". Hegarty threatens to sue Massone. Davie Hay agrees to take charge of squad for final two games of the season.
11 May: Hay says Massone must sort out the financial mess.
16 May: Massone denies club is on verge of administration.
6 June: Former Cowdenbeath chairman Gordon McDougall reveals he has entered into talks over a takeover.
16 June: Livingston handed a suspended £5,000 fine by the SFA for failing to submit end-of-season accounts properly.
18 June: Electricity cut off by Scottish Power due to an unpaid bill of £32,000.
19 June: Massone reveals only £149.50 has been donated to the club since he appealed to fans for a cash injection.
20 June: Fans hold a demonstration against Massone.
22 June: Club pays £10,000 to West Lothian Council. Club has to June 30 to settle £280,000 debt or face eviction from Almondvale Stadium. Council will take court action to recover outstanding debt which would force club into administration.
25 June: Price of £125,000 agreed with Dundee for striker Leigh Griffiths. Shirt sponsor RDF Consulting is not taking up a second-year option.
The full article contains 1274 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
