Pars Alive in talks with directors

Published on 15/11/2012 02:07

Dunfermline fans’ group Pars Alive has held “positive” talks with members of the East End Park board but insist funds raised will be kept entirely separate from the cash-strapped club.

The inception of the group was revealed this week, as Pars fans unite to stave off financial worries at the Fife outfit with a series of fund-raising schemes planned.

The First Division club need to find £81,000 to pay a tax bill due to HMRC, with £50,000 scheduled to be paid on Monday and a further £31,000 due two days later. Dunfermline Chairman John Yorkston insists the Fifers will secure the funds but the situation has prompted Pars fans to launch their own efforts.

Margaret Ross, chairman of the Pars Supporters’ Trust, which co-ordinates Pars Alive, says money raised will not be funnelled straight into the club.

She said: “Financially, we will be completely separate from the football club, and will be operated by the supporters’ trust. It will be a protected fund and the group will decide when it needs to be spent.

“We will be there to support the club, but it needs to be a two-way thing. If they give us something in return then of course we will be happy to talk to the club. But that is something for the group to decide. We would like more of a say in the club, and more of an understanding from the club that we are there to help and be heard.”

Pars Alive held a “steering meeting” on Tuesday and will host an open meeting this evening.