Marvin Bartley, the manager of Stenhousemuir, is set to face off against his former colleague David Martindale when the two teams meet in the Scottish Championship this Friday. This match marks the first encounter between Bartley and Martindale since Bartley resigned from his position at Livingston at the end of the previous season.
The backdrop to this reunion is significant. Bartley, who took over as Stenhousemuir manager in January, stepped up from a backroom role at Livingston after Martindale transitioned to a new position within the club. The two had previously worked closely together, and Bartley’s departure was marked by a degree of disappointment. In May, he and assistant Neil Hastings cited a lack of options as the reason for their resignation, following a request to reapply for their roles.
Since leaving Livingston, Bartley has not had any direct communication with Martindale. He acknowledged the busy schedules both managers have had over the summer, stating, "No, I’ve not seen or spoken to Davie since leaving the football club. Obviously, he’s got a busy time over the summer in terms of bringing in players. He’s busy, I’m busy so I’ve not spoken to Davie since leaving the football club." However, Bartley has kept in touch with Livingston chairman Calvin Ford, who reached out with a supportive message after Stenhousemuir's recent victory over Livingston in the League Cup group stage.
Despite the emotional toll of his departure, Bartley is focusing on his current role with Stenhousemuir, a part-time team that has made an impressive start to the season, remaining unbeaten in their first nine matches across all competitions. Reflecting on his departure, Bartley mentioned, "At the time, I was definitely hurt in the days that followed - but if you’re asking me now, my full focus is on Stenhousemuir." He described his initial shock at the situation, but noted that discussions with others helped him gain perspective on the circumstances surrounding his exit.
Stenhousemuir's strong performance this season has included three wins and a draw, with their latest triumph being a 3-1 victory over Inverness Caledonian Thistle. Bartley took over the managerial reins after Gary Naysmith left to join Ayr United, and he has successfully guided the team through a competitive League Cup group stage, including a notable win against Premiership side Motherwell. Looking ahead, Stenhousemuir is set to face Hearts in the quarter-finals of the League Cup.
As they prepare to take on Livingston, who have had a mixed start to the league campaign with two wins and two losses, Bartley is aware of the challenges ahead. He drew parallels with the remarkable achievements of other part-time teams in the Championship, referencing Arbroath's near-title run five years ago. Bartley expressed the aspirations of every club in the league, stating, "Every club in the pyramid now dreams of one day being in the top flight." However, he remains grounded, emphasizing the importance of focusing on immediate goals rather than getting carried away with thoughts of promotion.
As the match approaches, both teams will be eager to secure points in the competitive landscape of the Scottish Championship. With Bartley’s Stenhousemuir aiming to continue their unbeaten streak and Martindale’s Livingston looking to improve their standings, this encounter promises to be an intriguing clash.
Leave a Comment