Dunfermline highest-earning players made redundant

THE first casualties of Dunfermline’s lurch into interim administration were revealed last night, as it emerged that eight first-team players and three under-20 players have already lost their jobs, with further redundancies expected to follow.

The First Division’s highest-earning players were made redundant by interim administrator Bryan Jackson as talks continued at East End Park over the cuts needed to keep the club functioning in the short term. Jackson revealed a number of players had lost their jobs and others could follow, with around a full team cut from the wage bill. Manager Jim Jefferies, meanwhile, has agreed to work for next to nothing.

Captain Jordan McMillan, Andy Barrowman, Joe Cardle, Andy Dowie, Stephen Jordan, Andy Kirk and goalkeeper Paul Gallacher are among those believed to be looking for new clubs. McMillan confirmed his own exit on his Twitter account: “The news is true I have been made redundant with immediate affect but loved my time at club as captain. Hope boys do well rest of season.”

Jackson said: “We are still talking to the players and that is still ongoing. It’s still fluid but it looks as if there will be eight players made redundant and a further three from the under-20 squad. There are another two we are still talking to. Again that could change. And there are two also on loan [Paddy Boyle and Paul Willis] and, unless we can get the clubs they are out on loan to pay the full amount, they would come off the payroll as well.” Jackson added: “I know people want the names but we are still talking to people. Some of it is quite straightforward. You know we have a problem with the highest earners. We don’t have the cash – it’s just not there.”

Meanwhile, the Scottish Football League plans to meet early next week to discuss the financial crisis at Dunfermline and any possible sanctions the club may face. Dunfermline were placed in interim administration at the Court of Session on Wednesday ahead of a full hearing on 11 April. While Jackson and interim administrators PKF continue making cuts to help keep the club afloat, more difficulties could lie ahead for the Pars if the SFL opts to impose sanctions, which may include the club being docked points.

SFL chief executive David Longmuir said: “The rules of the SFL have always been quite clear in that the board treats every case on its merits, as we have done with Gretna, Livingston, Dundee and now another one. We will implement a tried and trusted process and that process will start in the next couple of days. We have already had conversations with Bryan Jackson of PKF and Jim Leishman. We could initiate a process and deliberation very early next week.”

The administration process protects Dunfermline from the immediate threat of being wound up over a £134,000 tax debt. Longmuir added: “I’m just delighted that the club has got an opportunity to survive. We will work closely and do whatever we can.”