Dunfermline Athletic administrator Bryan Jackson was forced to wield the axe in the Pars dressing room yesterday then revealed that the players left behind won’t be paid.
Jackson described the stricken Fife club’s cashflow as “non-existent” at the moment and was left to survey the scene after telling several first-team and youth players that their services would no longer be required.
Captain Jordan McMillan, goalkeeper Paul Gallacher, defenders Andy Dowie and Stephen Jordan, winger Joe Cardle, and strikers Andy Barrowman and Andy Kirk are all among those on the lookout for new clubs after being declared surplus to requirements.
Defender Paddy Boyle and midfielder Paul Willis currently on loan at Gateshead and East Fife respectively are also expected to leave, while talks are ongoing with at least two other players.
At least three members of the under-20 squad that reached the Youth Cup final will also go, with highly-rated Jack Bruce and Steven Mayne understood to be two of those. However, the youth trio should still feature at Hampden against Celtic in May despite being dumped from the wage bill.
“Unfortunately it’s the worst situation I’ve seen, I’m sorry to say, and we have to try and make the best of it,” Jackson said. “The only positive I can say is that in a reduced capacity we’re still standing here, so there’s still a chance that the club could come out of it at the end eventually.
“It’s very concerning short-term because the short-term cashflow is the biggest problem. Wages will not be paid today there is no money available right now.
“I’m dependent on some benefactors and I’m also dependent on some money coming in from the next home game so I should be in a position to pay the wages by the end of next month.
“Whether I’ll be able to pay anything towards any arrears I can’t say, but I certainly intend to pay the ongoing wages. But I can’t do anything about the wages due today because there are no funds.”
Manager Jim Jefferies will stay on until at least the end of the season, while Jackson revealed that he was still speaking to non-playing staff at the club to try and minimise job losses on that front.
“I think there’s only going to be some tweaking there there will be one or two redundancies that are likely and we may be asking people to take reduced hours depending on the bookings that we have for the catering etc,” he
continued. “There could be further cuts in that area.”
With the club now crying out for cash from whatever source to stay afloat, Jackson admitted the Pars need the backing of the fans more than ever.
“I was a bit disappointed about the crowd against Falkirk and I will be making the usual pleas and begging supporters to come,” he said.
“We have to encourage them to come because we will be dependent on external support. I’ve said that from yesterday and that’s not changed.”
“We need the fans and wider community to support this club to ensure that it makes it to the end of the season.
“We will be honouring season tickets and pre-paid hospitality but would encourage fans to show their support where they can.”
For further extensive coverage of events at East End Park, see Friday’s Courier or try our digital edition.