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New York Times
17-05-2025
- Automotive
- New York Times
Henry Ford's great-great grandson completes takeover of Scottish club Livingston
Calvin Ford, the great-great grandson of Ford Motor Company founder Henry Ford, has become the new chairman and majority shareholder of Scottish football club Livingston. Livingston play in the Scottish Championship, the second tier of Scottish football. Ford has acquired 100 per cent of former owner John McIlvogue's shares in Baycup Ltd, the group that has held a significant stake in the club since 2023. Advertisement 'It's a humbling thing for me,' Ford told Sky Sports. 'When I was introduced to Livingston several months ago, immediately meeting people like (Livingston manager) David Martindale, you recognise the leadership and the emotion and the passion that he has, and that's contagious for me. 'I started researching Livingston football club and the history of it and it didn't take very long to know that this was something that I wanted to be a part of.' McIlvogue said it was 'wonderful' for both Scottish football and Livingston. Former chairman John Ward will remain with Livingston as a club director. Ford is vice president of sales and marketing for Pentastar Aviation, a Michigan-based private aircraft management company. He is also an executive board member for CATCH Charity, serves on the board of directors for the Henry Ford Health System, and chairman for the Detroit crime commission. Livingston finished the 2024-25 season in second place after being relegated from the Scottish Premiership the prior campaign. Ford was in attendance at Almondvale Stadium on Friday for Livingston's 2-0 win over Partick Thistle in the Premiership play-off semi-final. Martindale's side will now take on whoever finishes 11th in the Premiership — either Dundee or Ross County — over two legs in the final for the chance to earn promotion back to the first tier. The club won the Challenge Cup, a tournament contested by clubs from the second, third and fourth tiers of Scottish football as well as Premiership under-21 sides and teams from the regional Highland and Lowland football leagues, earlier this season. (Alan Harvey/SNS Group via Getty Images)
The National
16-05-2025
- Business
- The National
Great-great-grandson of Henry Ford named Livingston chairman
Calvin Ford has acquired 100 per cent of John McIlvogue's shares in Baycup Ltd, which has held a significant shareholding in the club since the start of the 2023/24 season. Ford, is now the majority shareholder at the West Lothian club and will act as the chairman as John Ward leaves his post in the boardroom. The new Livingston chairman works as vice president of sales and marketing for Pentastar Aviation, a private aircraft management operation based outside of Detroit. Founder and former owner of Baycup Ltd, McIlvogue said: '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. I believe I have achieved this with Calvin's acquisition of my shareholding. 'I'd like to say a huge thank you to all the supporters and staff of Livingston FC, a special mention to the staff who's work behind the scenes goes largely unnoticed, their hard work and passion for Livingston Football Club is nothing short of incredible. I look forward to watch the club thrive with Calvin's support and guidance'. New chairman & majority shareholder Ford said, 'I am overjoyed and honoured to be part of Livingston Football Club. What drew me to wanting to be involved with LFC was the incredible leadership that people like Davie Martindale and John Ward portray. They have a passion for this Club and community that is contagious, and I look forward to being part of something special here'. Outgoing chairman, Ward said: 'I am delighted to welcome Calvin to the club. I feel that for the first time in the history of Livingston Football Club we will have an owner who is working in the best interests of the club and fans. 'As a Director of Livingston Football Club, I look forward to working with Calvin. I believe his integrity and enthusiasm for football will bring a sea change to Livingston and the wider West Lothian community'.
The Herald Scotland
16-05-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Great-great-grandson of Henry Ford named Livingston chairman
Ford, is now the majority shareholder at the West Lothian club and will act as the chairman as John Ward leaves his post in the boardroom. The new Livingston chairman works as vice president of sales and marketing for Pentastar Aviation, a private aircraft management operation based outside of Detroit. Founder and former owner of Baycup Ltd, McIlvogue said: '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. I believe I have achieved this with Calvin's acquisition of my shareholding. 'I'd like to say a huge thank you to all the supporters and staff of Livingston FC, a special mention to the staff who's work behind the scenes goes largely unnoticed, their hard work and passion for Livingston Football Club is nothing short of incredible. I look forward to watch the club thrive with Calvin's support and guidance'. New chairman & majority shareholder Ford said, 'I am overjoyed and honoured to be part of Livingston Football Club. What drew me to wanting to be involved with LFC was the incredible leadership that people like Davie Martindale and John Ward portray. They have a passion for this Club and community that is contagious, and I look forward to being part of something special here'. Outgoing chairman, Ward said: 'I am delighted to welcome Calvin to the club. I feel that for the first time in the history of Livingston Football Club we will have an owner who is working in the best interests of the club and fans. 'As a Director of Livingston Football Club, I look forward to working with Calvin. I believe his integrity and enthusiasm for football will bring a sea change to Livingston and the wider West Lothian community'.
