SPFL chief quietly returns to former club after bitter boardroom civil war
The dispute put the club on the brink
END TO THE FEUD? SPFL chief quietly returns to former club after bitter boardroom civil war
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LIVINGSTON have welcomed back Neil Hogarth to their board - despite him being involved in a period of boardroom civil war at the club.
Hogarth and fellow shareholder Carolyn Sumner launched a legal challenge to the takeover of the then-Premiership club in 2023.
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Livingston were recently taken over by an American investor
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John McIlvogue's Baycup Ltd sealed a £400,000 deal to establish control of the West Lothian side in September of that year.
But Hogarth lodged a petition with the Court of Session to halt the takeover, raising suspicions over the whereabouts of the six-figure sum.
The dispute - which was called "unsustainable" by McIlvogue - even took its toll on manager David Martindale, who was moved to call out 'so-called shareholders' for blocking new investments.
In March this year, with another takeover on the horizon, Martindale admitted that he'd be prepared to leave if the new owners wanted him gone.
And this month McIlvogue was formally bought out by American philanthropist Calvin Ford - great-great grandson to motoring legend Henry Ford.
Ford acquired 100 per cent of McIlvogue's shares in Baycup Ltd, which was the majority shareholder of Livi for two years.
McIlvogue said at the time: "When I chose to invest in the football club I did so to be of help whether short, medium or long term.
"It has been a great pleasure to support the club through its difficulties and see it bounce back with the first silverware in over a decade and a real fight for Premiership promotion.
"I believe the time is now right for me to pass on my shares to an investor with a real appetite to take the club forward on and off the park.
"When I joined the club, I said my only aim was that when I leave the club is in a better place than when I arrived, and I believe I have achieved this with Calvin's acquisition of my shareholding."
Livingston boss David Martindale opens his heart on life before, during and after prison.. and the managers he admires most
Now, just over a week later, Hogarth is back at Almondvale as vice-chairman
The club said in a statement: "Livingston Football Club today announce the appointment of our former Director Neil Hogarth to the newly created role of Vice-Chairman.
"We welcome Neil back to Livingston FC and look forward to continued success for the club."
On the pitch, Livingston are preparing for their Premiership play-off final against Ross County .
They host the first leg on Thursday this week and the return leg in Dingwall is on Monday.
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