Pars players will walk out if delayed wages are not paid

The First Division club paid less than half of their players’ wages for November — the second month in a row they failed to cough up on time.

Players have now refused to train and warned they will walk out again today if their salaries are not in their bank accounts.

With manager Jim Jefferies facing mutiny, the club last night said all outstanding  wages would be paid today.

One first-team player revealed: “We have been given three or four dates when wages were going to be paid and nothing happened.

“I know the club has problems but the boys felt enough was enough.

“It’s bad enough to happen at any time of year, but even worse the week before Christmas. Some of the players have had texts saying the wages have been paid.

“If that turns out to be wrong, the players won’t be training. If the wages are in, we’ll train as normal.

“Doing what we did seemed to be the only way to get it through to the club how strongly we feel.”

Pars director Gavin Masterton said: “Our cash-flow situation is well known and we’ve never tried to hide the fact this has been a difficult time financially, but we’re working to a plan and moving into a better period.

“As a result of having a home game last Saturday, donations from fans and great fund-raising by fans’ groups, we have been able to address some of the outstanding issues.

“None is more important than paying our players and staff and we will do that.

“It means they can enjoy Christmas and I want to pay tribute to every one of them because they have all given 100 per cent. They are a credit to the club and to their  profession.”

The Pars, who saw seven board directors resign in October, also confirmed they have met the latest HMRC deadline by paying £50,000 to the taxman and settled a £13,000 bill with Scottish Power.