Dunfermline’s chairman has warned that the club can no longer rely on donations from benefactors and will have to ensure there is a regular flow of income to guarantee the Pars’ long-term survival.
Bob Garmory was speaking at a meeting with fans at the Alhambra Theatre on Tuesday with the businessman insisting if that self-sustaining target can be achieved, then the club can bounce back from administration and return to the top tier of Scottish football again.
Regular fundraising events are to be held to generate revenue and the club’s long-running Centenary Club will be rebranded as Centenary Lifeline with the intention to attract new subscribers in a bid to raise £120,000, with £20,000 of that being used as prize money.
In other developments, Garmory admitted that the board of directors had looked at the possibility of installing an artificial surface at East End Park but, at the moment, the club cannot afford to do so.
Manager Jim Jefferies was also in attendance at the meeting and thanked the fans for helping save the club.
He said: “I speak on behalf of myself, the players and staff, we appreciate all the hard work. I don’t want to be negative about it but it is very hard to save a football club.
“The supporters and Pars United have done that and should be very proud of that.”
Garmory also admitted at this crucial point in their history, the club could not turn down reasonable bids from other teams for some of their prize playing assets.
Josh Falkingham and Calum Morris are just two of the promising youngsters attracting interest but Jefferies revealed that youth coach John Potter was recently the subject of a bid from a top-tier club but the offer was rejected.
Meanwhile, the home game against Rangers on Saturday December 28 has been moved to the following Monday with a 7.45pm kick-off and will be shown live on Sky Sports.