Livvo's Staying Put

By: Stephen Bateman
Date: 30/12/2000

Striker Steve Livingstone has pledged his future to Grimsby Town, saying that his recent return to the Mariners attack has given him a "a new lease of life." The burly front man also told reporters that he has every intention of playing out his career with Town.

Livingstone, whose contract expires at the end of the season, told the Grimsby Evening Telegraph: "I'm enjoying it more than I have for the last two or three years, and I'm looking forward to games more. It's been a new lease of life. "I'd like to finish off here and I've got no desires to move in any shape or form. Obviously I've got to speak to the manager, but I wouldn't mind sorting it all out. There's a lot of contracts up and he's going to want to keep the squad together, but let a few go." The former Blackburn hit-man went on to admit that he had grown tired of being shunted into central defence under former manager Alan Buckley, as he continued: "Playing at the back was wearing a bit thin and I don't mind playing there, and I know I might have to again in the future, but it was wearing a bit thin. "You start thinking a different way mentally. It seems a strange thing to say, and you're not a worse player for it, but you're reading it different." Livingstone, who has bagged 38 league goals for the Mariners since his £140,000 move from Chelsea seven years ago, is also keenly aware that he must give 100% for the club if they are to stay in the First Division next season: "You need your forward players to score a substantial amount of goals," said the 31-year old. "I don't want to set myself any goal targets, but I believe that the chances are there and that goals are there to be had for me. "I've had 12 or 13 before and that's my best here. I'm looking to beat that - touch wood." Achievement of such a target may be hampered by a ban from the FA after it was confirmed that Livingstone will face a disciplinary committee on Thursday, January 11th. The forward was reported to the FA after making 'inappropriate' comments to match referee Trevor Jones after the Mariners 3-2 defeat at the hands of Sheffield United in November. Although the club will plead for mitigation, it is likely that Livingstone will be forced to serve a three-match suspension, sitting out the crucial fixtures against Crewe and Stockport during late-January, along with the home-tie against Wimbledon on February 3rd.

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