Dunfermline have announced the exits of 17 players and blamed the uncertainty of COVID-19 for being unable to offer new deals.
That includes both club captain Paul Paton and vice captain Lee Ashcroft who will now be on the lookout for new players.
Stevie Crawford’s men finished fifth in the Championship after it was called following the coronavirus crisis.
Also being released are goalkeeper Ryan Scully and former Celtic youngster Joe Thomson.
The East End Park club have had money troubles in the past and are doing all they can to ensure they don't run into similar problems.
Star striker Kevin Nisbet, who could eventually be sold, is still under contract after impressing over the course of the last season since joining Dunfermline from Raith Rovers.
A club statement said: "All Scottish football clubs are now faced with challenging and uncertain times. As a consequence of this continued uncertainty, we are afraid to announce that unfortunately our club will not be in a position to offer new contracts, at this time, to any of the players who are out of contract over the coming days.
"As we don’t know when we will be playing games again we have no other option but to protect the future of the club itself. This has not been an easy decision to make, being aware of the impact this may have.
" We would like to offer our very best wishes to all of the players and their families, as well as thanking them for their services to our club.
"The 17 out of contract players are as follows: Lee Ashcroft, Tom Beadling, Danny Devine, Paul Paton, Ryan Scully, Joe Thomson, Andy Ryan, Callum Smith, Stuart Morrison, Gregor Jordan, Scott Cusick, Cammy Graham, Lewis Sawers, Josh Robertson, Lewis Crosbie, Craig Burt and Paul Brown."
