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Page last updated at 17:28 GMT, Saturday, 20 June 2009 18:28 UK

Hay critical of Livi leadership

Davie Hay
Hay's daughter is married to Livingston investor Tomasso Angelini

Former Livingston manager Davie Hay has criticised the club's owners after Scottish Power turned off the electricity at the Almondvale Stadium.

Hay, whose daughter is married to Livingston investor Tomasso Angelini, said the crisis cannot continue.

"Angelo Massone said he deliberately didn't pay the electricity, but that's not the way to go about it," said Hay.

"I hope they can resolve it, but for Tommaso's own sanity, he can't have another season like last year."

Hay's comments come as the First Division club face a financial crisis following the electricity being cut off at Almondvale and threats from West Lothian Council to recover £10,000 in unpaid rent if it is not paid by Monday.

Livingston chief Angelo Massone says he deliberately allowed the power to be cut off to show how much the club relied on his money.

And he said he will not pay £10,000 being demanded by the council on Monday, even though it could mean the club goes into administration.

"It was a turbulent season last year, to put it mildly, with player's wages not being paid and Paul Hegarty getting suspended," Hay, who was called in by Massone as caretaker manager after Hegarty's departure, told BBC Scotland.

The fans have really had enough of Angelo Massone and his antics

Donald Paul of the Livi For Life Supporters' Trust

"I said to Tomasso in the summer to make a statement saying there would be some financial stability in the club.

"But now the lights are out at Livingston and they're back to square one.

"They need to come up with a solution whereby they're not faced with these issues."

Meanwhile, Donald Paul of the Livi For Life Supporters' Trust, said the 50 fans who turned up to protest outside of Almondvale Stadium on Saturday afternoon showed the level of support for the campaign to force Massone out.

"The fans have really had enough of him and his antics," said Paul.

"We want him to depart from the club and give us our club back.

"We want to encourage him to look at what other offers there are on the table for him.

"We've continued to try and negotiate with him on all occasions, but he has severed all ties with the trust and continues to come out and call us enemies of the club.

"He continues to deny any problems, which is just crazy.

"It's always been the ambition of the trust to ensure that the club is run on a viable business plan and pays it's bills."

Former Cowdenbeath owner Gordon McDougall said he had offered to bail the troubled club out but balked at a "substantial six-figure sum" mentioned by the Italian chairman.

Massone said he was not interested in selling the club, but Paul believes McDougall could still be an option.

"West Lothian needs a football club - and the council support football being run at Almondvale - so we hope the parties will get together to agree that our plan is a viable option," he said.

"I still believe there are other people around, like Gordon MacDougall.

"If he were to come in and strike a better deal with the administrators, I would certainly say that the trust would support him."



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see also
Livingston meet council payment
22 Jun 09 |  Livingston
Massone explains power cut stance
18 Jun 09 |  Livingston
Massone not looking to sell Livi
05 Jun 09 |  Livingston
Livi face administration threat
15 May 09 |  Livingston


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