The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Eight players freed as Pars wield axe
DUNFERMLINE BOSS Jim Jefferies has wielded the axe at East End Park and released eight first-team players.
The veteran manager broke the grim news to those affected yesterday afternoon with Austin Mccann, Martin Hardie, Steven Mcdougall, Alex Keddie, Davie Graham, Kevin Rutkiewicz as well as goalkeepers Bernando Dominguez and Chris Smith all being told they would not be offered new deals by Jefferies.
Negotiations with other out- ofcontract players including Gary Mason, Pat Clarke and John Potter were believed to be continuing late last night.
Jefferies had met with the Dunfermline board last week to ascertain what his budget for this season would be following the Pars’ relegation from the SPL.
He admitted afterwards that he had to weigh up what path to go down in the First Division and yesterday’s cuts confirmed that he has opted to give youth its chance.
Dunfermline captain Mccann is arguably the highest-profile casualty of the cull.
He admitted he was sad to be leaving the club that he skippered to the First Division title in the season before last.
However, he is now looking forward to new challenges.
He said: “The manager sat me down and told me the budget he has for next season and that he had to let me go.
“It was sad but it wasn’t a big shock. It’s just part and parcel of football. I will now start trying to fix up a new club. I am still only 32 and feel as fit now as I have ever been.
“I am looking forward to a new challenge and hope to get something sorted as soon as possible. However, I have loads of great memories from my time at Dunfermline.
“There were a lot of highs and lows but winning the league last season is something that will stay with me forever.”