BIG changes are on the horizon for West of Scotland Football League (WoSFL) Premier Division side Darvel FC.

It comes as the club moved to address speculation surrounding their financial position this weekend.

The Irvine Valley club released a statement shortly after announcing the departure of one of their key assets, midfielder Ian McShane, who was sold to Premier Division rivals Gartcairn FC.

The club admitted that the move may be one of many that will be necessary to "balance the books" at Recreation Park - due to a financial deficit being forecast for this season.

A number of other players have also departed the club in recent months - including Jamie Glasgow who returned to Auchinleck Talbot, and Scott Ferguson who joined the club's former manager Mick Kennedy in moving to East Kilbride.

The club say that the financial deficit has come as a result of a number of different factors which have reduced revenue.

They added that their first round Scottish Cup exit at the hands of Bo'ness United put a "real dent" in this.

Last season, the East Ayrshire side sent shockwaves around the Scottish footballing world as they reached the last 16 (fifth round) of the competition - upsetting Premiership side Aberdeen most notably in the fourth round in one of the cup's biggest ever upsets.

Since then, manager Mick Kennedy departed the club for Lowland League outfit East Kilbride, with Tony McInally taking over the role.

Their statement said: "In light of recent speculation surrounding Darvel’s financial position and following a number of significant player transfers, the board would like to put on record that the club is forecasting a deficit in this season’s financial accounts.

"This deficit is a culmination of absent sponsor revenue, increased maintenance/service costs and a Scottish Cup exit. The Scottish Cup campaign has put a real dent in the budget, which has been a healthy figure over the last few seasons.

"The board met last week and has reviewed the club’s strategic vision, and after careful review has concluded that with our current financial circumstances we need to balance the books through reducing our player budget."

Darvel are now aiming to make sure that the club remains sustainable moving forward.

They continued: "I am sure our fans will appreciate the philosophy of the team built over the last few seasons has been aimed at reaching promotion and capable of competing within the league above, whereas we now must align with short-medium term ambitions in our next phase approach towards sustainability.

"We will aim to achieve this through additional revenue streams where the club has since made good head way with discussions over the recent week(s).

"The club wants to remain within WoSFL Premier competitive environment, where we can continue to thrive within our community, remain sustainable, go far in both regional/non-regional trophies and plan long term development of current infrastructure.

"We want to have utilisation of the academy player model and players within community; which will strengthen the club longer term."

While they concluded that this is hoped to only be a short-term adjustment, with the long-term aims of the club remaining high.

Their statement added: "Currently the management team have intimated that they wish to see through the evolution of Darvel - which is hugely important to the club given their pedigree and experience.

"Tony and his team have worked tirelessly since appointment, despite the timescales between appointment and season commencement, which meant constraints on them fully getting their own stamp on things.

"Over the coming months there will be a degree of change within the current playing squad which is still to be decided jointly between club/management team, so we ask that fans are supportive of the proposed measures, for better days ahead.

"The profile of the club has risen remarkably in the current non-league sphere, given its ambition and significant investment in our playing surface, dressing rooms, floodlighting and SFA licensing modifications - all backed by personal investment from club president, John Gall, who helped set out this vision for Darvel.

"Selling out Recreation Park to over 3,000 fans at the turn of the year and just missing out on the quarter-finals of Scottish Cup, has compounded just how far Darvel’s investment has taken us in recent years.

"This can continue to be in the hopes and dreams of Darvel fans season upon season and doesn’t stop because the short-medium term ambitions has changed.

"Whilst the club continues to grow - we pledge for anyone to get in touch, who feels they could offer a different dynamic to help achieve the evolution of Darvel.

"We are an inclusive, diverse and approachable club with a broad demographic of committee and board.

"We don’t profess to be anything other than a group of like minded individuals who share that common goal of making something better for the community we live/work in."