Dunfermline clear out as at least eight top team stars leave East End Park

Players have been given the bad news from Jim Jefferies as Dunfermline cut back© SNS Group

Dunfermline manager Jim Jefferies has delivered the news to eight first team players that they have no future at the relegated side.

A further four will have a chance to prove themselves, while staff across the club will have to accept reduced terms as they return to the First Division.

Leaving East End Park for good are goalkeeper Chris Smith and Bernardo Fernandez, defenders Alex Keddie and Austin McCann, midfielder Martin Hardie and attackers David Graham, Steven McDougall and Pat Clarke.

Defender John Potter has an offer to return and help coach the under-20s, while injury plagued trio Kevin Rutkiewicz, Steven Bell and Nick Phinn have been offered the chance to return for pre-season and earn themselves a new deal.

Mark Kerr and Andy Dowie are on holiday and will find out their fate when they return. Jefferies said he and board decided to build a young team around a core of experienced players, and has left room in the squad to bring in some new faces.

He told the official Dunfermline website: “The club is aware that when you go down and have to rely on younger players coming in, inconsistencies creep in and they can have highs and lows.

“The emphasis on the players I bring in must be from the younger element and the reason for that is because of the wage structure we can offer them.

"I am sure that the supporters would buy into a team of predominantly younger players with a blend of experienced ones trying to put on a good show. If we stick to the players we have and didn't come up, it would be a massive problem the following year.”

Jefferies revealed he has taken a pay cut and assistant Gerry McCabe is currently mulling over a reduced package. Sports scientist Ross Hughes has had to be let go and goalkeeper’s coach Brian Potter will be offered reduced terms.

The former Hearts and Kilmarnock boss said: “I am very fortunate at my stage, it is not about the money, it is about the challenge. Gerry has still to accept it but the signs are that he will. “If he does, we can move on together and try and blend the mixture of experience and youth."

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