Livingston boss' dream summer camp instantly granted by club owner
David Martindale says a summer camp in Holland was his number one request for Livingston's pre-season, and it was immediately granted by new owner Calvin Ford.
Martindale says the backing he has received from the club's new chairman has been a breath of fresh air, and allowed him and the squad to get away for a week for the first time in years.
Livingston will visit Alloa Athletic for a pre-season game on Saturday, June 28, and head to the Netherlands the following day, with two more games scheduled.
That brings Livingston straight into their Premier Sports Cup Group H campaign, against Kilmarnock, Kelty Hearts, East Fife and Brora Rangers.
Martindale says that's ideal preparation for their return to the Premiership and is delighted with how much Calvin Ford is getting behind him.
He said: 'We play Alloa on the 28th at Alloa, because our park is getting re-done, and then we're away to Holland for a pre-season camp on June 29, the Sunday, for a week.
'We've got two games when we're in Holland, and when we come back we're near enough into the cup section.
'It's good preparation.
'We've not been fortunate enough to get away for the last couple of summers, we didn't get away last January – obviously we were in the Championship and we didn't get the break.
'But we've not been able to get away for the last couple of summers, and I think it gives you a fantastic start to the campaign, if you can get the group away, put a lot of work into them, hours on the grass, and relationships get fast-tracked because they're living with each other 24-7.
'I think it's really beneficial to get away for a summer camp.
'I've got Calvin to thank for that. He asked me what I'd really like, and what would help me, and I said I would really like to try and get away for a summer camp.
'He said 'right, go and get me some prices and consider it done'.
'That's absolutely fantastic, that he's shown his support so early on.
'It's great backing, and I'm really, really happy.'
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