Wage cuts would be ‘last resort’, insists Pars chief

DUNFERMLINE: Chairman adamant despite ‘substantial financial challenges’

Ross Mcarthur insists asking staff and players to take wage cuts would be a “last resort” for Dunfermline.

The East End Park outfit are battling to meet their outgoings without the prospect of any income following the decision to suspend football in the wake of the growing coronavirus crisis.

Mcarthur admits the Pars, who were in administration only seven years ago, face “substantial financial challenges” without the planned gate receipts, hospitality revenue and cash generated by the use of their function suites.

However, after taking the emergency decision to close their ground before this week’s nationwide lockdown, the Fifers chairman is adamant he and his board are doing everything possible to navigate a course through difficult times.

A fan-led Support the Pars fighting fund has also been launched and has already attracted donations of around half of the initial £40,000 target, while government help with employees and grants are being explored.

And, with Hearts counterpart Ann Budge defending her decision to slash wages for players and staff by up to 50%, Mcarthur has vowed that every other avenue will be explored before the possibility of salary changes are considered.

He said: “Rather than jumping in and doing things now, we’re just looking to get all the facts before we do anything.

“We need clarity on the measures that have been announced by the government. The devil is in the detail.

“We’ve engaged with local MSPS, we’ve spoken to civil servants, we’ve spoken to two or three employment lawyers, so we’re exploring all these things.

“I speak to a lot of different clubs and they’re all making decisions and thinking of doing different things.

“But I’ve already said to the staff that it would be the last resort for us to reduce their terms of remuneration. I’ve spoken to all the staff individually to tell them that and the coaching staff have spoken to the players.

“If this goes on for months and months then that’s a different set of circumstances, but that’s not the intention at the moment.”