Jim Leishman has confirmed that supporters group Pars United are to begin the process of putting together a bid to buy Dunfermline Athletic.

The group will make a presentation to fans tonight to map out the way ahead, having initially come together to cover the cost of an administrator as the club struggles against financial problems.

Pars United have remained in contact with administrator Bryan Jackson throughout the process and have set a target to raising £500,000 to purchase the club before the start of the new season. Leishman, a former player and manager of Dunfermline, is hopeful that progress can be made.

"We're making a presentation to the fans about the way forward," he said. "We've got to move forward and move things on to the 'buy the Pars' stage of the process, and hopefully we can answer any questions at the meeting. We've got to go ahead and be positive, and make preparations to bring the club out of administration before next season."

The club will begin that campaign in the Irn-Bru Second Division after suffering relegation last weekend. However, that has not discouraged Pars United from planning a bid. "Relegation doesn't affect us, we've still got to try and get the club," added Leishman.