Dunfermline fans urged to dig deep after keeping club afloat

Dunfermline Athletic's administrator has thanked fans for raising enough to keep the administration-hit club afloat and urged them to dig deep again.

The Pars need to win two play-off ties to avoid relegation from Division One.

Bryan Jackson said: "One final push is needed over the next month to keep this historic club going.

"And, given the support the club has already received over the last six weeks, I believe that the fans will come out in their thousands."

Dunfermline, who released a number of first-team players when they , were thrust into relegation trouble when they were docked 15 points by the Scottish Football League.

, coupled with the Pars' 2-1 home loss to already-relegated Airdrie United, meant that Jim Jefferies' side finished second bottom.

It means that the Pars will travel to Forfar Athletic's Station Park on Wednesday for the first leg of the play-off against the side who finished fourth in Division Two.

Should they come through victorious after the two legs, they will face the winners of the tie between Alloa Athletic and Brechin City.

Those games will boost finances that have already benefited from donations from Dunfermline fans that reached a total of £50,000 on Saturday.

Jackson, business restructuring partner with accountants BDO, said: "The response from the fans, Pars United, the club and the wider community has been overwhelming over the last few weeks.

"The fans have been unbelievably generous in donating £50,000 and this money has been essential to keep the club going by paying wages and to keep DAFC financially afloat during April and May.

"The fact that the club is now facing play-offs to remain in the First Division means that we need everyone to keep supporting the team in the coming weeks.

"I cannot stress how important it is that support is maintained during the forthcoming games.

"Jim Jefferies and the players have shown their commitment to the club on the pitch and the response of the fans has matched this commitment off the pitch.

"We need to keep up this level of effort over the closing weeks of the season to make sure that DAFC keeps its place in the First Division and has sufficient funds to continue to operate."