East Fife’s directors and fans may not totally see eye to eye over the club’s takeover bid, but they have put up a united front over plans for a plastic pitch at Bayview.
The club expressed their fears earlier in the week that speculation surrounding the club’s financial state could harm efforts to install a new state-of-the-art synthetic surface at their Methil home with the help of Fife Council and other sources.
And while differences appear to remain between both parties about how East Fife should be taken forward in terms of ownership, the club, the East Fife Supporters’ Society (EFSS) and the directors who have already launched a bid to take control of the club yesterday released a joint statement empathising their support for an artificial pitch to be created at Bayview.
EFSS spokesman Allan Duthie, who has called for the directors to join the Society in lodging a joint bid for the club, stressed that the pitch project would be welcome at the Methil ground irrespective of who owned the majority shareholding.
“We agree fully with the club directors that the creating of an artificial pitch and other amenities would be a great addition to the club’s community facilities,” he said.
“It would also help the EFSS meet its aims for greater community involvement.”
Despite the club incurring a financial loss last year, East Fife’s four directors say they have an action plan to take the club forward and have already had a bid for the club’s majority shareholding accepted in principle by the current owners.
They similarly refuted suggestions the club is in any financial trouble and insisted the club have sufficient funds to see them through this season and beyond.
The EFSS have their own concerns over that particular bid, suggesting the valuation placed on the club is too excessive, and revealed earlier this week that they plan to take forward a counter offer which would see the club owned by the fans.
They also called on the directors to withdraw their bid and work with them on their offer for the club, with a meeting planned between both parties in the next couple of weeks.
However, the plans for a plastic pitch at Bayview is very much a separate issue, with both sides keen to ensure that Fife Council see the benefits of supporting a new community-use surface at East Fife’s home ground.
On the pitch situation yesterday, club vice-chairman Dave Marshall stressed that it was clear the project was one worthy of total support.
“Some highly misleading reports have been circulating about the club’s future,” he concluded.
“We’re delighted to see that the fans back our view about the 3G pitch and we hope those responsible for the rumours will start supporting the club’s bid rather than impede it.”
Meanwhile, East Fife have cancelled tonight’s home friendly against a Dundee XI due to the frosty conditions.