Fraser Wishart praises Dunfermline players

FRASER Wishart insists the Dunfermline players deserve huge credit for the way they have handled themselves through months of financial turmoil and urged supporters to now rally round to ensure the club pulls through administration.

The PFA Scotland chief executive addressed the Pars squad at the club’s Pitreavie training base yesterday moments after Jim Leishman had broken the news that administrator Bryan Jackson had agreed to take over the running of the club, subject to the approval of Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs.

Wishart who welcomed Jackson’s appointment, having previously worked with the PKF insolvency expert at Clydebank, Motherwell and Dundee – is desperate to avoid what many will view as the inevitable job losses from the Fifers’ squad.

Having had to talk the players down from possible strike action in recent weeks after repeated late salary payments and broken pledges by owner Gavin Masterton, Wishart is adamant Jim Jefferies’ team have handled themselves faultlessly as they have dealt with financial hardship.

With Masterton having been sidelined by yesterday’s events, Wishart is hopeful the fans who have been reluctant to show their support under the disliked former banker will now muster and aid the club’s survival.

“I hope the people recognise what these players have done,” he said. “They could easily have walked away.

“There’s been times when there’s been a reluctance to play when morale was down and we have, as a union, had to speak to them and keep things going. But players can’t just walk out and get another job because, firstly, there’s registration windows and, secondly, the club will disappear.

“I understand completely why the fans have not been turning up to the games. But any money put in now goes to the club. You are helping the club survive.”