Press Conference Update

Link now added to ParsTV coverage of Wednesday's Press Conference at East End Park.

PICTURES FROM PRESS CONFERENCE
PARStv COVERAGE
Jim Leishman addressed a press conference at East End Park on Monday afternoon. As well as the assembled media, Jim also welcomed several interested fans to hear what was being said. Joining him on the top table were Jim Jefferies, Roy Barry, Stephen Taylor (a partner in Carters Accountants and formerly Pars Supporters Trust) and Bob Garmory - a director of the Purvis Group. Leish explained why in the wake of a lengthy meeting on Monday night the press conference had been called:-

"It has been clear that the future of Dunfermline Athletic has been hanging in the balance in recent weeks and after Saturday when the fans showed their emotions both inside and outside the stadium, Gavin Masterton decided to resign off the board of Dunfermline Athletic as has his two daughters (Karen Masterton and Tracey Martin).

"There were a group of rough twenty people at the Steering Group meeting on Monday. I am not setting up a Board, I am setting up a Steering group as requested on Monday. I was asked to be the Deputy Chairman of Dunfermline Athletic Football Club but I turned that down on Monday evening in front of everybody. I do not want to be the Deputy Chairman of Dunfermline Athletic Football Club; I am not interested in a title at all. At this moment in time titles mean nothing.

"It is about short term survival of Dunfermline Athletic Football Club and the long term future of the football club. It is evolution not revolution that I am interested in. Something that is really hurting me since that meeting on Monday night is people saying that 'Jim Leishman is the lackey for Gavin Masterton'. I will tell you right now, Jim Leishman is a lackey for Dunfermline Athletic Football Club, for the fans, for the staff and for the players. I will be a lackey for Jim Jefferies for anything he wants me to do for him, I am a lackey for any member of staff that I work with because they have had a hard time as well, I am a lackey for every Dunfermline Athletic supporter because I am one of them and that is why I have invited them in."

"On Monday I said 'Aye I'll take the job'. It's the hardest thing I've ever done in my life at this football club. Will I do it? I don't know. I can't do it myself that's for sure.

"I cannot do with the negativity because I've got a short period of time. Maybe two weeks, maybe three, maybe four but it is a short period of time. I've got to just remain positive every minute of life, short-term, a positive attitude for the survival of the Club.

"The stipulations - I said Gavin Masterton will relinquish control of all aspects of the day-to-day running of the football club. The Steering Group, which I'm the head of, will take control of the football club or I'm not doing it. That was agreed.

"John Yorkston will stand down as Chairman and assume the role of Honorary President on completion of the share offer.

"Karen Masteron and Tracey Martin will affect a hand-over to the new management team before the end of the season at which point they will leave the employ of Dunfermline Athletic Football club. There's a transition period, a hand-over period that we have to go through. All media releases and comments regarding DAFC must gain the approval of the new Steering Group prior to release.

"The current board of DAFC will provide the executive committee of the Steering Group delegated authority to facilitate discussions with all regulatory authorities and creditors to ensure that any issues are appropriately dealt with.

"That is my remit. Nobody's going to tell me what to do apart from the Steering Group."

That Steering Group will be made up of five members which Leish stressed would not be Gavin's lackeys.

"The first thing I did on Monday night was phone the Manager. We were talking at twelve o'clock and past that. I told him everything that's going on. He knows everything that's going on at this Club and he'll relay that to the players.

"He's in charge of the football side. I will not interfere and he wouldn't be here if he thought Jim Leishman would interfere with the running of the football side.

"It hurt me when people said I was a lackey. I hated that. If I do get interference, if I don't get the right to make the decisions, I'll not continue doing what I'm doing. I'll walk away as will the rest of them (Steering Group). That is a guarantee from me - I'll walk if I'm not allowed to do the job properly."

Leishman has faced many challenges in the past including taking over as Manager in 2005 and saving the Club from relegation but he felt this task might be even harder:-

"I took over with three games to go and it was mission impossible. This is a wee bit harder. Then it was the last-gasp saloon, it was the last stance. Everybody got behind us, the players gave 110 per cent, they gave their all and that's what I'm asking people to do."

Leishman was holding back emotions as he said he warned again he would step down and continue as a fan if there was any interference.

"I reiterate if I'm not allowed to do it I'm out of here and I mean out of here. I'll be sitting there supporting the team. Not every week because I'll need a break - I'm about greetin' here.

"That's my statement. I'm not a lackey. I'm wanting the survival for everybody at this club. That's guaranteed."

Jim Leishman gave an open invitation to all Dunfermline supporters to attend another briefing meeting for them starting at 7.00pm on Wednesday night at East End Park.

PICTURES FROM PRESS CONFERENCE