FIVE former Morton players have been caught in the crossfire of administration turmoil after Dumbarton were plunged into financial disarray this morning.

The Sons, who won promotion to League One at the end of last season, appointed administrators after years of financial uncertainty.

Glasgow based company Quantuma, who have been appointed as the club's administrators, said the move came “following the non-receipt of significant funds that were owed to the club from the sale of development land in 2021".

Boss Stevie Farrell broke the news to his squad on Monday night, though their jobs are thought to be secure until their contracts run until the end of the season.

Former Cappielow favourites Kalvin Orsi and Craig McGuffie are two of the five players ex-Cappielow stars briefed by Farrell on Monday.

Orsi, who was one of David Hopkin's first signings in 2019, scored five goals in 39 appearances across two seasons.

Ex-Ayr United man McGuffie enjoyed an 18-month spell in Inverclyde, where he only seemed to score great goals as he notched four goals in 31 games as both he and Orsi helped the Cappielow club avoid relegation in the shortened 2020/21 season.

The duo are joined by former Cappielow full-back Carlo Pignatiello, who made 25 appearances in a solitary season, scoring once, and Michael Miller, who turned out 60 times under Jim Duffy. 

Tony Wallace, one of the few heroes of Morton's 2013 League Cup win over Celtic at Parkhead who is still playing, completes the quintet.

Dumbarton now face a battle to beat the drop after being hit with a 15-point deduction as a consequence of going into administration. 

Fellow League One side Inverness Caley Thistle suffered the same fate last month. 

The deduction leaves Dumbarton bottom of the table on zero points, four behind Inverness in the relegation play-off spot and 14 adrift of the safety of eighth place.

Ian Wright, Quantuma managing director and joint administrator, said: “Craig Morrison and I were appointed joint administrators of Dumbarton FC on November 18, 2024.

“The directors of the club were left with no option other than to appoint administrators, following the non-receipt of significant funds that were owed to the club from the sale of development land in 2021.

“As administrators, we will be investigating the circumstances surrounding this transaction and other issues affecting the club, but will not be in a position to comment further at this time.

“Our immediate priority is to ensure the club can complete its fixtures and we will be meeting with key stakeholders to ensure this can be achieved. We understand this will be a shock to fans, staff and the local community.

“The club employs 18 playing staff, six football staff and three club staff, whose roles are secure whilst we work through the early stages of assessing the options available to the club.

"We would invite any interested parties to come forward.”