SHAKE-UP PLANNED AS PARS APOLOGISE

Dunfermline have announced a major boardroom overhaul after issuing an apology to supporters for this season’s “gutwrenching” relegation.

Directors insist they have accepted “ultimate responsibility” for a dismal campaign that culminated in their dramatic play-off semifinal loss to Queen’s Park last weekend.

Manager John Hughes, who replaced Peter Grant in November, was the target of much of the fans’ anger in the wake of the defeat to an 89th-minute Simon Murray goal and his position is also “under review” along with the rest of the football department and playing squad.

Ross Mcarthur has bowed out as chairman, as planned, while director Kip Mcbay has also retired from the board and Pars legend Jim Leishman has stepped down to take up a new club ambassador post.

In a further shake-up ahead of life in League One, newly-installed chief executive David Cook is to combine his role with that of chairman and sporting director Thomas Meggle will play “a more active role in day-to-day football operations” in a bid to “bring about a marked improvement in performance”.

In a message to fans, the remaining directors said: “We are not just disappointed in the relegation itself, but also in the manner in which the relegation came about, with standards falling well short of what we all expect.

“As the board of DAFC, we accept ultimate responsibility for this.

“Bouncing back from this gutwrenching setback will not happen unless things change, and changes from within the club are already well under way.

“The club must now look ahead to do all it can to improve sporting performances and results, and we are confident that we can bounce back from this torrid season.”