DUMBARTON have reduced their wage bill by half by deferring 50 percent of their player and staff's salaries.

In a statement on their website, the League One club said that they approached all staff members with the proposal last week and after a "cooling-off period", it has now been implemented.

Chairman John Steele wrote: " The players and staff supporting us here is a great help and very much appreciated. I really do value their cooperation and it says a lot about them both as professionals and as people that they have been agreeable on this."

Like many fans of clubs lower down the SPFL pyramid, Dumbarton supporters have been fundraising in a bid to ease the financial burden on the club that has been brought about by the sudden indefinite postponement of Scottish football.

In his statement, Steele was effusive of his praise of their efforts.

"Our supporters have also been sensational," he added.

"All plaudits have to go to them. The response we've had to the crowdfunding appeal has been absolutely fantastic.

"We're going to have to encourage them to keep helping out and keep supporting the club and the initiatives we are set to launch over the coming weeks."

Earlier this month, Hearts offered their players and staff a 50 percent salary cut and an option to mutually terminate the contracts of any player unwilling to accept one.

So far, only Clevid Dikamona has taken the Tynecastle hierarchy up on their offer, with the defender cancelling his contract so that he could spend time with his family in France during the coronavirus pandemic - but he hopes to return to the capital once normal service resumes in the football calendar.