Stenhousemuir boss Bartley returns to Livingston - watch on BBC

WHAT HAPPENED
Marvin Bartley, manager of part-time Stenhousemuir, says he has had no contact with Livingston sporting director David Martindale since resigning from Livingston at the end of last season. The two clubs meet in the Scottish Championship on Friday, a fixture to be shown on BBC Scotland.

Bartley and assistant Neil Hastings left Livingston in May after being asked to reapply for their roles; Bartley had been promoted to the Almondvale managerial post in January after serving as part of the club’s backroom staff.

KEY CONTEXT
Bartley has settled into the Stenhousemuir job and describes the immediate upset he felt after leaving Livingston as having faded. He has had some continued contact with Livingston chairman Calvin Ford, who sent him a supportive message after Stenny eliminated Livingston on penalties in the League Cup group stage at Ochilview.

Stenhousemuir have begun the season strongly: they remain unbeaten in nine matches across all competitions, sit above their Championship rivals after three wins and a draw, and recorded a 3-1 victory over Inverness Caledonian Thistle last weekend. Their League Cup campaign included a win over Premiership side Motherwell and they face Hearts in a home quarter-final next Friday. Livingston have won two and lost two of their league matches so far this term.

WHY IT MATTERS
The Friday meeting carries extra narrative weight because of Bartley’s recent departure from Livingston and the lack of contact with Martindale since. Beyond the personal subplot, Stenhousemuir’s unexpected early-season form is reframing expectations for a club widely viewed as one of the smaller budgets in the division, and raises questions about how sustainable that momentum will be against established Championship opponents.

WHAT TO WATCH NEXT
- Friday’s Championship fixture between Stenhousemuir and Livingston, broadcast on BBC Scotland, will be the first on-field reunion since Bartley’s exit.
- Stenhousemuir’s progress in the cup continues with a quarter-final home tie against Hearts next Friday.
- Observers will be watching whether Stenhousemuir can maintain their unbeaten run and how they cope with the league’s demands given their part-time status and financial constraints.

KEY FACTS
- Bartley says he has not seen or spoken to David Martindale since leaving Livingston.
- Bartley and assistant Neil Hastings resigned in May after being asked to reapply for their positions.
- Bartley took charge at Almondvale in January after moving up from a backroom role.
- Stenhousemuir are unbeaten in nine matches in all competitions this season.
- Stenhousemuir beat Livingston on penalties in the League Cup group stage; Stenny also beat Motherwell and will host Hearts in a quarter-final.