Livingston (basketball)

Livingston
League Scottish Division 2 (1977–1978)
Scottish Division 1 (1978–1987)
British Basketball League (1987–1989)
Established 1977
Folded 1989
History Edinburgh
1977–1987
Livingston
1987–1989
Arena Meadowbank Arena
(1977–1987)
Forum Arena
(1987–1989)
Location Livingston, West Lothian
Team colours Royal Blue and White
         
Ownership David Murray
Uniforms

Livingston was a professional basketball team based in Livingston, Scotland, founded in 1977 as Edinburgh by steel magnate David Murray and backed by sponsorship from his company Murray International Metals. Using the name Murray International or MIM Livingston, they went on to be one of the most successful clubs in Scottish basketball, playing first in Edinburgh and then later moving to Livingston.

During the height of its success, Livingston were crowned as Scottish National League Champions seven times between 1979 and 1987. The club were founder members of the British Basketball League, a professional league established in 1987 by leading clubs from England and Scotland. Playing out of the newly built 3,000-seat Forum Arena, Livingston were incredibly successful in their inaugural season and following an 81–72 victory over regular season Champions Portsmouth, were crowned winners of the first Carlsberg League Championship Final. The following year, Murray had acquired Rangers F.C. football team and sought about expanding his new acquisition and forming a 'sporting club' by purchasing Carlsberg League rivals Kingston for £100,000 and moving them to Glasgow.[1] The Glasgow Rangers basketball team made their first appearance alongside Livingston in the 1988–89 season, becoming the league's second Scottish representatives. Under the guidance of Coach Kevin Cadle, Rangers dominated the campaign and claimed an impressive trophy haul, pipping Livingston to the regular season title and then beating them in the Final of the Championship Play-offs, winning 89–86. Livingston also finished as Runners-up in the NatWest League Trophy, losing 89–81 to Bracknell in the Final.

Despite the success of his two basketball teams, Murray was rumoured to have had a fall out with the basketball authorities in 1989 over a proposal to have both teams playing at The Forum Arena on alternate weekends, thus meaning a home game was staged every week. The move was blocked and so Murray withdrew his financial support.[2] The Rangers team was sold and moved back to Kingston-upon-Thames in 1989, whilst the Livingston franchise folded completely.

Notable former players

  • United Kingdom Bobby Archibald
  • United States Alton Byrd
  • United States Alan Cunningham
  • United States Vic Fleming

See also

References

  1. ↑ Paul Smith (2012). "For Richer, For Poorer: Rangers: The fight for Survival". Random House.
  2. ↑ Jon Gaunt (2011). "Undaunted: The True Story Behind the Popular Shock-Jock". Random House.
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