‘The club offered us little support’

TOM BEADLING has accused Dunfermline of a brutal lack of ‘support’ that left those players released on Friday in a ‘precarious situation’.

The former Sunderland midfielder was one of 17 first-team squad members — including the likes of Paul Paton and Lee Ashcroft — who were told they would not be offered new deals because of the current coronavirus crisis.

Pars chairman Ross McArthur insists he had ‘no other option’ than to free the players because of the uncertainty over when and how football will return.

With no income on the horizon, McArthur is adamant he had to ‘protect the future of the club itself’.

But Beadling, who joined the Pars in 2018 after an initial loan spell from Sunderland, believes even a onemonth extension could have made a massive difference to players now contemplating jobs outside of football.

Players’ union PFA Scotland called on clubs to hand out-of-contract players short-term deals and make use of the Government’s furlough scheme, but Dunfermline decided against that option after taking professional advice.

Beadling said: ‘There are no superstars earning five to 10 grand here, it’s lads on normal salaries.

‘There are bills needing to be paid and boys will be looking for jobs. It leaves a lot of lads in a precarious situation.

‘Clubs aren’t looking to make signings when they have no idea when the season will be up and running again.

‘As a player, you’re hoping your club will recognise that and show you that support.’

The 24-year-old added: ‘That extra month would be crucial. It would give us more time to adapt.’

Meanwhile, Raith Rovers have agreed to extend the deals of their entire squad until the end of June so that players can continue to utilise the government’s furlough scheme.

All but nine of Raith’s first team are out of contract next month.

Only Regan Hendry, Kieran MacDonald, Fernandy Mendy, Jack Smith, Brad Spencer, Dylan Tait, Lewis Vaughan, Kyle Bow and Quinn Coulson are signed up until 2021.