Scottish First Division side Dunfermline AFC's game against Dumbarton "will take place on Saturday, despite the company that owns the club being in grave danger of going into liquidation on Monday," according to Richard Wilson of the HERALD SCOTLAND. Some suppliers "were wary about providing the club with stock and services for the game, but fans have provided money to meet costs up front." Around £20,000 ($30,400) "was required to allow Saturday's game to go ahead as normal." Bob Garmory, a member of the Steering Group set up to try and rescue the club, said, "The game will take place." He added: "People have underwritten supplier issues so the game can take place. They are fans; one has spent £2,000 ($3,000) on the pies so that £4,000 ($6,100) or £5,000 ($7,600) can be raised." Talks "over a rescue plan continue," but the finance to buy out Gavin Masterton's 94% stake "has not been raised and no formal proposal has been drawn up." If U.K. tax authority HMRC is not paid by 5pm on Monday, it "will petition the Court of Session to appoint a liquidator" (HERALD SCOTLAND, 3/21).
BACK-UP PLAN: In Glasgow, Gordon Parks reported Scottish Football League chiefs "are bracing themselves for a First Division promotion and relegation shambles if Dunfermline go bust." The prospect of being liquidated "would set in motion an SFL ruling that declares all of Dunfermline’s results this season null and void and would drastically alter the league." If HMRC's winding-up order is acted upon next week, Scottish football "would face an unprecedented situation that would see leaders Morton automatically handed an extra two-point advantage over second-placed Partick Thistle due to points gained or lost against the Pars this season." At the bottom end, Airdrie’s "fight against the drop would be all but over as they would be struck with a four-point deduction" (DAILY RECORD, 3/21).
