Alex Salmond offers to meet Dunfermline Athletic FC over cashflow problem

The Fife club has been left with a £84,000 shortfall in ticket revenue.

That comes after the Scottish Premier League teams played at Dunfermline’s East End Park on 11 February, just before Rangers went into adminstration.

It meant Dunfermline players and staff were paid only part of their wages for February, but bosses say they hope to pay the balance within ten days.

Mid Scotland and Fife Labour MSP John Park raised the club’s plight during First Minister’s Questions at Holyrood today.

He asked what steps the Scottish Government can take to assist the Pars and other clubs in similar situations.

Mr Salmond said: “Many of us realised that the position developing at Rangers will have ramifications throughout Scottish football. Dunfermline Athletic is one of the earlier incidents of it.

“I’d be delighted to meet Dunfermline Athletic to offer any help the Scottish Government can do.”

He added: “All the clubs in Scottish football are vital and valuable and we should be trying to assist and help them all where we can.”

In a statement posted on the club website, Dunfermline chief executive Bill Hodgins said: “By Monday all staff will have received 80 per cent of their salary and we will be in a position to pay the remaining balance within 10 days.

“Our staff are aware that this situation is outwith the club’s control and they have been extremely understanding and supportive.

“In the meantime the Scottish Premier League are in constant dialogue with the administrator at Rangers in order to try and secure payment of our ticket income of £84,000 that was due on 21st February 2012.”

Yesterday, Dunfermline revealed an annual loss of more than £430,000 for last year after paying £185,000 in bonuses following their promotion to the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.

The club is currently bottom of the league.