Pars chairman refuses to rush into rash spending

DUNFERMLINE Athletic chairman Bob Garmory has refused to make any rash promises that the club will have money to spend in the transfer window, although he hopes very much that will be the case.

The Pars have been subject to a Scottish Football League-imposed ban on signing players over 21 since going into administration and, although the club exited administration following a successful CVA proposal, the restrictions will remain in place until the end of this month.

Boss Jim Jefferies has already suggested he has one or two options in mind for strengthening his squad but has similarly acknowledged that finances remain tight and could restrict what moves he can make in the transfer market.

Whether he has money to spend will be down to the club’s new board, and Garmory hopes they will be in a position to make funds available when the time comes.

“We’re in a little bit of a better position than we have been because we’ve still got a cup run going, and that will be important,” he said.

“But I think it’s fair to say there are still aspects of the financial future of the club to be settled before we can be 100% sure of splashing out on new players next month.

“Jim (Jefferies) knows the lie of the land and we’re not rushing into anything.”

Whatever happens, it is fair to say Jefferies will have to be shrewd when it comes to strengthening his squad and he has already pledged to take another look at Norwegian forward Preben Erland, who is keen to sign for the Pars after coming over for trials.

Jefferies is also monitoring Clyde forward pair Stuart McColm and Scott Ferguson, who also recently spent a few days on trial with the East End Park club.

Meanwhile, Pars youth pair Ryan Williamson and Lewis Martin have been called up to a two-day Scotland under-18 training camp, which gets under way a week today.

The defenders have been selected by Scotland youth coach Ricky Sbragia as part of a 29-player squad due to be put through their paces ahead of the Uefa European under-19 championship qualifying round, which takes place in October.