LONDON: Scottish football club Livingston have taken an unusual approach to working out whether to keep goalkeeper Gary Maley (pix)... asking supporters on Twitter to decide his fate.
The part-time goalkeeper’s contract expires in June and the Scottish Premiership side, whose season has now finished, reached out with a tongue-in-cheek post.
“Quite possibly a football first but we're giving you the chance to decide on the future of goalkeeper @Maley1Gary,” Livingston tweeted.
“With his contract expiring next month, we’re leaving it in the hands of the fans as to whether or not we offer “Stretch” an extension. Stay or go – you decide!”
But the goalkeeper was in on a stunt that has benefited a children’s charity.
Assistant manager David Martindale, who was Maley’s best man at his wedding, pledged £1 (RM5.34) to charity for every vote but the poll has attracted almost 200,000 votes as well as stinging criticism from people who were unaware of the background.
Maley said: “He mentioned my contract and I said ‘look, give it to one of the kids, I am 37, I am nearly done’. He said ‘we will have a bit of fun with it, have a laugh, we will put up a vote on Twitter’.
“Davie said he would put a pound in per vote for charity, thinking we would get 500 votes. Obviously it escalated something ridiculous and Davie soon withdrew that offer.”
He added: “It looks as though I’m going to win the vote and extend my deal but I said I will donate the next two months’ wages to charity and Davie will match that.” – AFP
✍??| The people have spoken – @Maley1Gary stays!
— Livingston FC (@LiviFCOfficial) May 27, 2020
With almost 200,000 votes cast on our twitter poll & over 1 million impressions worldwide, the fans have spoken and as a result, goalkeeper Gary Maley has today signed a one-year extension at the club.
?? https://t.co/tiNhaJGiuX pic.twitter.com/I5AGFiYvQG