Dunfermline manager Allan Johnston has confirmed the Pars’ shoestring budget will see him prioritise quality over quantity after axing 18 players during his first week in the job.
The former Kilmarnock boss, who replaced John Potter last Friday, released all of the club’s out-of-contract players.
First-team regulars such as Andy Barrowman, Jim Paterson, Gregor Buchanan, Ross Millen, Alex Whittle and longest-serving player Ryan Thomson have all been let go.
Allan Smith, Scott Mercer, Kyle McAusland, Ryan Goodfellow, Jon Page, Declan O’Kane, Finn Graham, Gavin McMillan, Jamie Wilson, Andy Stirling, Stuart Urquhart and Paul George are also looking for new clubs.
The Dunfermline board have made it clear the failure to escape League One will necessitate severe cut-backs, but Johnston insists he can still build a squad worthy of promotion.
He said: “We are going to be working with a smaller squad this year. It is going to be tighter, but hopefully we can get better quality.
“We need to freshen up the squad, it is a great opportunity to do that, with so many players leaving. Now it is about recruitment,” he said.
“There are a lot of quality players out there, a lot of people who would like to come to a big club like Dunfermline. ”
Meanwhile, former Rangers and Scotland favourite Andy Goram has also left Pars.
The 51-year-old was appointed goalkeeping coach in January, but is unlikely to have a role in Johnston’s revamped coaching structure.