McGeever never havered on pay cut

DUMBARTON defender Ryan McGeever insists there was never any doubt he and his team-mates would agree to a 50-per-cent wage cut to help the club through the SPFL shutdown.

The Sons players and staff were approached last week with a proposal to defer half of their wages as the League One outfit faced up to serious financial concerns in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

A “cooling off” period allowed the playing squad to hold talks with manager Jim Duffy if anyone was not in agreement with the plans. But the temporary reduction in salary has now been implemented and McGeever is adamant the players were willing to do their bit during the crisis.

He said: “The players were just happy to go with it, just purely because there are other people in the club who are also going to be affected by what is going on.

“We’re still going to get our money, albeit over a longer period of time, and if it means we can help out others at the club, and with the club’s cashflow when there’s no income, then we’re happy. There were no qualms about it.”

Dumbarton have also launched a crowdfunding appeal for cash to help them through the current crisis and chairman John Steele was full of praise for everyone connected to the club.

He said: “Our supporters have also been sensational. All plaudits have to go to them. The response we’ve had to the crowdfunding appeal has been absolutely fantastic.”

Meanwhile, Livingston have already raised a fivefigure sum after launching an “operating fund” that offers shares to supporters who help the club cope financially with the coronavirus pandemic.

Chief executive John Ward said: “In the space of about the first four hours, we were pledged about £14,000, which is quite incredible. That’s incredibly promising. We made shares available a while back and the offer didn’t get taken up on, but I think it’s only fair to offer something in return.”