Dundee FC have moved into administration for the second time in seven years and now face a serious fight for survival.
A terse statement issued by the club just after 5pm on Thursday read, “Dundee FC are now officially in administration. Papers were lodged at the Court of Session in Edinburgh today.
“Bryan Jackson of PKF will now assume control of the club.”
The first-team squad will be decimated when administrator Jackson finally arrives at Dens Park on Friday morning to wield the jobs axe.
It was previously being predicted that the number of players sacked would be around 10, as well as the management duo of Gordon Chisholm and Billy Dodds.
However, it is understood that the wage bill needs to be reduced by 70%, raising fears that almost the entire first-team pool could have their contracts terminated.
Jackson is also expected to issue a stark warning at a 2.30pm press conference that Dundee’s very existence is in doubt unless a buyer can be found within four weeks.
By the time he addresses the media, the employees will have learned their fate.
They were advised at the ground on Thursday by players’ union chief Fraser Wishart and his colleague Stuart Lovell.
Wishart emerged from the meeting concerned about the possible scale of job losses and will petition FIFA for permission for players to find new clubs outwith the transfer window.
“The players are resigned to some sort of cuts being made at the club but at this stage we don’t know what will happen,” Mr Wishart said. “That is up to the administrator all we can do at this stage is support the players and keep them informed of what their rights are.
“There has been a lot of rumour and counter-rumour but until Bryan Jackson comes in we won’t know. I have met with him and the Scottish Football League to discuss the situation but they are not in a position to say too much.
“There are a lot of good people going to suffer here not just the players, but good people who work at the club.
“There will be debate in the coming weeks about what has gone on at Dundee. That is not for me to talk about just now and all I am here for is to support our members.
“There will be a lot of tears here.”Click here for live updates throughout Friday.