Mccabe accepts wage cut to stay on as Jefferies’ assistant

DUNFERMLINE assistant manager Gerry Mccabe is set to accept a reduced contract to remain at the relegated SPL club next season.

The Fife outfit are making cuts across the board as they prepare for life in the First Division with boss Jim Jefferies having already agreed to take a reduction in wages.

Mccabe said: “Jim is happy with the way I go about things and he has been great with me. I’m still under contract here and there is no problem there with me staying on.

“I had never worked with the manager before but I knew Jim before he came in.

“He lets me get on with things and lets me take a lot of the training, and I’m happy to stay for next season.

“It's a new challenge now trying to get the team straight back to the SPL next term. There will be a few players leaving and Jim has the chance to bring in his own guys.”

Jefferies revealed on Monday that Gary Mason and Liam Buchanan are considering reduced offers.

Defender John Potter is weighing up the invitation to coach the club’s Under-20 team as well as play, while Kevin Rutkiewicz, Nick Phinn and Steven Bell, who have been plagued by injury, could be offered appearance-based terms.

CLUB CAPTAIN Austin Mccann, Chris Smith, Bernardo Fernandez, Alex Keddie, Martin Hardie, Steven Mcdougall and Pat Clarke have been released.

Meanwhile, Dunfermline’s board issued a statement thanking the club’s core support for sticking by the side during last season’s difficult campaign and asked them to continue backing the team in the First Division next season.

The directors have also revealed that players with contracts which run until May 2013 will be taking agreed pay cuts after dropping out of the SPL.

The statement reads: “The board would like to take this opportunity to pass on our sincere thanks to the core support of the club for their loyalty, backing and financial contribution during these difficult times.

“It is greatly appreciated by everyone at the club and emphasises again the community spirit we have at DAFC.

“The new season in Division One will bring its own challenges but we can approach it with great optimism with a very experienced manager at the helm, and a reshaped playing pool.

“Unfortunately, there will be cuts across a number of areas but it is important for fans to be aware, that a number of existing players under contract for next year will receive a reduced level of income commensurate with playing in a lower division.

“This was agreed at the start of last season, to prevent us carrying an SPL wage bill in Division One should we not retain our status, as this had caused the club difficulties in the past.

“Relegation will inevitably bring changes, which we have identified within our revised budget. However the close season when we have no gate receipts but many of the same outlays, is one of the most difficult times of the year.

“In addition, our ‘parachute payment’ from the SPL is not actually received until August!

“This is where the fans can greatly assist the club by purchasing season tickets for the new season.”

Gerry Mccabe.