Fears of Dunfermline liquidation

DUNFERMLINE face being plunged into liquidation next week after a shock legal bid was launched against club administrators BDO last night by controversial former owner Gavin Masterton. The Pars United fans’ group, who agreed a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) to take over the club in July, cannot afford to run the East End Park club if a costly lease for their training ground at Pitreavie remains in place. Although the site is owned by

Fife Council, Masterton has security over the lease in the form of a pension fund — of which he and ex-Dunfermline chairman John Yorkston are trustees. Despite the best efforts of BDO, he is refusing to tear it up. Yesterday Masterton (right) lodged an interim interdict against the administrators at the Court of Session, which is due to be heard on Monday. If successful, it would end Pars United’s efforts to save the club — sounding the death knell for the 128-year-old institution. Last night, Pars United spokesman Bob Garmory admitted he fears Dunfermline are doomed unless BDO can talk Masterton round. ‘We have been consistent that Dunfermline can’t be run by Pars United as a sustainable business if we have to pay the lease at Pitreavie,’ he told Sportsmail. ‘We’ve known this issue was there all along but what is surprising is that it’s suddenly raised its head in this manner at the 11th hour. ‘I don’t know Mr Masterton’s plans, but we have to hope BDO’s lawyers can resolve it with his representatives. ‘The fans are right to be upset because the club they love has been facing a grave threat for months now. They all thought that threat had lifted. ‘But clearly the giant sword hanging over Dunfermline Athletic is back again.’ In March, a full team of players were made redundant, including captain Jordan McMillan, star winger Joe Cardle and former Scotland keeper Paul Gallacher, as Dunfermline went into administration with debts of £10million. The club was later handed a 15-point penalty for the insolvency event and eventually tumbled into the third tier of Scottish football. Pars United warned last month that the club was still in a ‘very distressed state’ and needed a further £150,000 to survive the season. Now there are fears the end could come sooner. ‘I feel sorry for the players and the staff who have been through so much uncertainty in the last year,’ added Garmory. ‘The irony is that for Pars United, we are supporters on the sidelines as the contest rages in front of us. ‘Just as we can only encourage the players on a Saturday, we can only urge the people in question here to do the right thing to help secure the future of

a great club.’