A message from the Board of Directors of DAFC - North Stand Closure

Statement from the DAFC Board regarding the closure of the North West Stand

Further to the Boards 1st quarterly bulletin which illustrated the financial challenges facing Dunfermline Athletic in the current economic climate - the Board have come to the enormously hard decision that with great regret they will have to close the North Stand at East End Park, as the first in a series of actions necessary in our overall cost/income review. The Club are also fully investigating all costs and savings that would be made by introducing an all ticket entry policy on matchdays.

The Boards aim this season is to consolidate DAFC's place in the Scottish Premier League and are working hard to further reduce our overheads, so that we are able to absorb the impact of the ongoing deterioration in the general economic climate, which unfortunately has led to a reduction in attendances and commercial income for all clubs.

By taking this drastic step it will save Dunfermline Athletic Football Club well over £20,000 per season as it will significantly reduce police and stewarding costs - these being one of the largest costs that DAFC have to meet every season. The saving will help fund the fuel costs which we will incur shortly with our under soil heating system - last year alone DAFC spent over £30,000 on fuel for this purpose. The North Stand is also the oldest stand at DAFC and it had to close last winter due to the bad weather. Given forecasters are predicting a worse winter this year DAFC feel it is better to close this stand now, therefore reducing any additional maintenance costs which would be incurred .

The remaining sections of the Norrie McCathie and the South stand which are finished to a much higher standard and have much better facilities provide ample seating for our normal home support for most games. Should attendances increase to a level were we can financially justify the use of the North Stand then the Board would gladly welcome the need to revisit the decision.

The Season Ticket Holders who will be affected are being asked to go in to East End Park and choose an alternative seat in either the Norrie McCathie or the Main South Stand at no extra cost. Those fans affected will also receive a voucher to be used in hospitality or the club shop for their inconvenience.

Commenting about this closure John Yorkston added "This has been an extremely hard decision for the Board to make and we have had a number of meetings over the last few weeks to examine how we reduce our costs further. We sincerely hope that our fans will understand the reasons behind this decision and we do hope that in the future we will be in a position that we can reverse this decision"

The Board would also like to thank all fans who have emailed into the Club with ideas for income generation; these ideas are all being discussed at our next Board meeting on Monday 21st November.

To change your Season Ticket seat please contact our Ticket Office on 01383 745909 or email tickets@dafc.co.uk