St Johnstone chairman Steve Brown has issued a lengthy explanation on why key players Ali McCann and Jason Kerr were allowed to leave on deadline day.
Double-winning captain Kerr sealed a £600,000 move to Wigan, before key midfielder McCann signed for Preston right before the transfer deadline.
Both moves sparked fury, with McCann in particular raising questions about why the club would let him go so late in the day and for a relatively small fee.
Northern Ireland midfielder McCann has been tipped for a big future and some wondered why Rangers and Celtic hadn't swooped for him, given he ultimately joined Preston for less than £2m.
Brown says St Johnstone 's decision to sell was simply down to the fact the player desperately wanted the move, and they couldn't deny him the "life-changing" opportunity.
And he says gaffer Callum Davidson was in full agreement with the decision.
He said in a statement on the Saints' website : "Following on from the closure of the summer transfer window on Tuesday evening, I thought it only right and proper to give our supporters the facts behind the departures of Jason Kerr and Ali McCann.
"In terms of our captain, Wigan Athletic met our valuation. From a club and, in particular, a financial point of view, it was an offer we could not turn down.
"Also, for Jason, we could not stand in his way. He was an excellent leader and a first-class individual.
"I thought Jason was going to be the only one that we sold. We turned down numerous bids for several of our key players during July and August.
"I feel it's vital to explain how this deal came about and how we reached our final decision.
"Most importantly, we had no intentions to sell Ali in this window.
"I met with the manager at McDiarmid Park from 4pm on Tuesday. At that moment, after reluctantly accepting Jason's decision to leave, two offers came in for Ali, which were both rejected.
"An increased offer came in from Preston around 5pm, which was also turned down.
"Shortly after this, it was made abundantly clear to Callum and I that Ali wanted to move on, and from a footballing perspective, challenge himself at a higher level.
"We were also made aware that the financial package which had been offered to him was life-changing and potentially a once in a lifetime opportunity.
"I sat with the manager and assessed the dilemma we had.
"Would we stand in the way of a player's development and prohibit him from being set up financially for life?
"Or do we decline that to have potentially an unhappy player who would no doubt have left in January?
"After a long, difficult conversation between Callum and I, we decided to let Ali go.
"We subsequently reopened dialogue with Preston and renegotiated to get the overall transfer fee we wanted to achieve.
"With the add ons, it will surpass the value of £1.75million which we put on him back in May. That money will be reinvested back into the football department.
"I must stress this was never an easy decision, but with regards to Ali, both Callum and I have a clear conscience."
