Dunfermline legend Jim Leishman has launched an emotional appeal to save the football club he holds dear.
He warned that time is rapidly running out to ensure the survival of the cash-strapped club, with HMRC due a six-figure sum a large percentage of which has to be paid in the next 24 hours.
Leishman issued his impassioned plea at a press conference at East End Park on Wednesday during which he confirmed that the club’s majority shareholder Gavin Masterton was resigning from the board along with his daughters Karen Masterton and Tracey Martin, while long-serving chairman John Yorkston will also be standing down.
Leishman is now head of a steering group that will attempt to negotiate a way out of the financial minefield the Pars now find themselves in while trying to unite the various supporters’ factions with the ultimate aim of Dunfermline becoming a fan-owned club.
Leishman was flanked by boss Jim Jefferies, former Pars legend Roy Barry, Bob Garmory from the Purvis Group and accountant Stephen Taylor as he addressed the media.
He said: “We are only now finding out the severity of the problems. HMRC are due money, the players, staff are due money and we have to find the solutions.”
For more on the financial crisis at East End Park, see Thursday’s Courier or try our digital edition.