Marvin Bartley makes his first return to Livingston FC this Friday evening as manager of Stenhousemuir, a televised Championship clash that follows his summer departure from the club. The 40-year-old has not spoken to Livingston sporting director David Martindale since resigning at the end of last season, a situation he described as a shock. This match, reported by BBC Sport Football, will be broadcast live on BBC Scotland from the Tony Macaroni Arena.
Bartley and his assistant Neil Hastings left Livingston after being asked to reapply for their positions. He had taken charge in January following a move from a backroom role, after Martindale had moved into a new position at the club. Bartley admitted he was hurt in the immediate aftermath but says he now has no lingering feelings. "No, I've not seen or spoken to Davie since leaving the football club," Bartley said. His focus is entirely on Stenhousemuir, a club he joined after Gary Naysmith's departure to Ayr United.
How has Bartley performed at Stenhousemuir?
Marvin Bartley has overseen a remarkable start to the season with Stenhousemuir. They remain unbeaten after nine matches in all competitions. In the Scottish Championship, they have recorded three wins and a draw from their opening fixtures. Their latest result was a convincing 3-1 victory over Inverness Caledonian Thistle last weekend.
This strong form follows a successful League Cup group campaign engineered by Bartley. Stenhousemuir famously defeated Premiership side Motherwell and edged past his former club Livingston on penalties at Ochilview. That cup run has set up a home quarter-final against Hearts. You can track their progress and upcoming matches on our fixtures page. Bartley believes this momentum is built on a collective dream. "Every club in the pyramid now dreams of one day being in the top flight," he stated.
What is the current state of Livingston FC?
Livingston, now managed by Glenn Whelan, have experienced a mixed start to their league campaign. They have won two and lost two of their opening Championship matches. The club's current standings position reflects this inconsistency as they seek to build momentum.
The summer saw significant change at the Tony Macaroni Arena, with Martindale busy bringing in new players. Bartley has maintained contact with Livingston chairman Calvin Ford, who sent him a positive message after the League Cup penalty shootout. The full squad details for both sides are available on our squad list. This Friday's match is the first meeting between the two sides this season and represents a key early test for Whelan's team.
What can we expect from the Friday night fixture?
The Championship encounter promises high stakes as an in-form Stenhousemuir visits a Livingston side looking for a statement win. Historical parallels exist in the division, such as Arbroath's heroics five years ago under Dick Campbell when they pushed Kilmarnock all the way in a dramatic title duel.
Bartley, a former midfielder for Hibernian, Livingston, and Bournemouth, brings intimate knowledge of his opponent. He acknowledges being naive about the business side of football when leaving Livingston but is now fully committed to his new project. The match kicks off under the Friday night lights, offering a prime opportunity for one side to make an early season mark. Fans can review key player contributions on our stats hub. Livingston's next scheduled fixture after this is a league match the following weekend.
