Dunfermline takeover: Club face ‘nervous’ wait

Published on 20/03/2013 00:18

Jim Leishman concedes Dunfermline Athletic face a “nervous” race against time to secure a fan-based takeover before the club is liquidated by the taxman in seven days.

However Leishman, who is leading the steering group charged with rescuing the East End Park outfit, has sought to assure supporters over the mystery investors who could be their saviours.

Public notice of the winding-up order issued by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) was published yesterday, giving the club until 27 March to pay arrears of £134,000.

There was light at the end of the tunnel on Saturday as the club announced they were on the verge of “substantial investment” at the hands of, as yet, unknown parties. Talks are continuing apace today as due diligence is carried out on the Dunfermline accounts.

It is thought that the Purvis Group, the club’s current sponsors, and Craig McWhirter, a former director, are among the potential investors, along with several local business figures.

“There are no ‘mystery’ investors,” assured Leishman. “These people are Dunfermline Athletic supporters first and foremost.

“There are a mixture of people, from those willing to invest £100 to those wanting to spend thousands. Then there are the bigger potential investors who want to see the club going forward.

“Everybody I am speaking to is trying their best to avoid liquidation. Names are not the big issue. The main thing is we have to get things done. It is gradually coming together, but that needs to happen very quickly. It is simple and there is no hidden agenda here.

“We knew from the start that we did not have much time. Seven days – that’s it. We just have to keep working hard.

“We knew it would come to this at some point. Now we have to find out as much information as we can through due diligence. Everybody is a bit nervous just now.”