DAFC STATEMENT RE SPL VOTE

Dunfermline AFC’s John Yorkston and Frank McConnell attended the SPL Special Meeting today, returning to East End Park encouraged by the number of clubs now expressing a long-term interest in synthetic surfaces.

It must be emphasised that we are only half way through what has been a very worthwhile exercise. It is only by going through such a process that it is possible to assess and evaluate the progress which has been made.

Dunfermline will go forward confidently to the next stage. There is increasing recognition of the commercial and community benefits of having such a surface. Our pitch has the approval of both FIFA, UEFA and consequently the SFA and the SFL and is the very latest in synthetic pitch technology.

In our view it will be difficult to come to a conclusive view on the new surface within the particular timescale, as the next meeting of the SPL board is in April. This will require careful assessment and monitoring by the regulatory bodies such as UEFA and FIFA who are investing substantial sums in this exercise.

As with everything, artificial pitch technology is moving forward all the time and our new pitch will be ready for the Hibs game on March 19.

We look forward to continuing discussions on this matter over the coming weeks with the SPL. So far as DAFC are concerned we were encouraged by the willingness of the Board of the SPL to come to decisions in a detached and informed basis for the good of the whole game in Scotland.