John Yorkston is targeting an immediate return to the SPL after insisting Dunfermline can handle the financial hit of relegation.
The East End Park chairman is also hopeful that a return to the First Division could actually see an upturn in attendances, as the Pars prepare to lock horns with fierce rivals Raith Rovers, Cowdenbeath, Falkirk and Dundee.
The Fifers’ relegation and swift return to the second tier was confirmed on Monday evening with a 4-0 capitulation against Hibernian.
The club are more than £8m in debt although that money is owed to Dunfermline directors rather than the bank and have 18 players out of contract in the summer.
Nevertheless, Yorkston is remaining positive regarding the future and hopes to bounce back into the top flight at the first time of asking.
He said: ”There is obviously less income, but there is less expenditure, and we still hope to adjust the turnover figures and break even. We are living within our means and will be fine.
”We’ve got players on a two-tier wage one for the First Division and one for the SPL. We will press on with the First Division budget and Jim (Jefferies) will decide on the out-of-contract players next week.
”You have to wait and see the business other sides do, but we will certainly be doing our best to win the league, and that has to be the aim. We hope to give Jim the squad at his disposal to come straight back up and financially we should be able to do that.”
Dunfermline’s average SPL home gate of 4,884 has been substantially lower than the club’s hierarchy had budgeted for at the beginning of the season.
Indeed, the Pars’ most recent home game against one of the Old Firm Rangers on February 11 drew a crowd of just 7,464 to East End Park, notably down on encounters with Raith Rovers (11,052) and Falkirk (7,826) last season.
The fact Dunfermline have won just one home match in the entire campaign, achieved against Aberdeen last month, has done little to arrest the dwindling numbers.
Yorkston is hopeful that a winning team, allied with a First Division packed with local intrigue, will bring the fans flocking back.
He continued: ”I would hope we could get more gates next season if the fans come out and watch a team which is winning matches and getting points at East End Park.
”Over certain games on the calendar we could see an increase in attendance compared to this season. There is a real attraction there with Falkirk and Raith, and Dundee always bring a great support.
”Last year we had over 11,000 against Raith Rovers and a good few 7,000 and 8,000 crowds, so we are very optimistic.
”Hibs, when they went down the last time, had crowds of 14,000 because they were playing well and the fans got behind them. We are far from downcast.”