Buckie Thistle face collapse despite £200,000 Celtic windfall as club slashes wages

A Scottish football club is having to slash its wage bill and could be forced into selling players just to stay afloat – two years after raking in six figures from a cup clash against Celtic.

The club issued a call for help earlier this month saying it needs to raise between £150,000 and £200,000 before November or they could be forced to fold.

Highland League side Buckie Thistle were drawn against the Glasgow giants in the Scottish Cup two years ago.

They were given a rapturous send off from locals for the trip down to Celtic Park and while they lost 5-0, they banked around £200,000 from the glamour fixture.

The departure of president Garry Farquhar – who had ploughed £1m of his own cash into the club – due to health reasons was announced in August, and Buckie admitted they were likely about to enter into “a degree of financial uncertainty”.

Buckie have also dropped from second to sixth in the table and according to Northern Scot, selling players could be required to balance the books.

The Victoria Park outfit also confirmed they have been negotiating wage cuts with players and staff.

Fans have raised £50,000 already and a GoFundMe page has been set up to allow the wider football community to donate.

A number of fundraising events are in the works but with Buckie currently leaking £20,000 a month, a further meeting is taking place this week to provide an update to supporters on the situation.

A club statement read: “Negotiations are ongoing with players and management around potential wage cuts.

“This forms part of the requirement to look at our overall operating costs, and to ensure the club can be financially viable going forward.

“Players and management have been approached, we tabled an offer, they came back with a counter offer, and negotiations are currently ongoing.

“The club will continue to work with everyone to come to the best arrangement for all parties involved.”

Regarding this week’s meeting, a social media post said: “This meeting is very important for the future of Buckie Thistle Football Club.

“We need as many fans and anyone interested in coming on board and helping to shape the future of this great club to attend as possible.”