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Glory chief vows to stay at the helm

Perth Glory supremo Tony Sage has vowed to remain at the helm of the club despite the salary cap fiasco which will deny it A-League finals action this season.

As former legends voiced their dismay at the plight of the once-powerhouse soccer outfit, chairman and main benefactor Mr Sage broke his silence last night after the Glory's acceptance of Football Federation Australia's sanctions that will see it pushed down to seventh on the league premiership ladder and fined $269,000.

Mr Sage apologised for the situation, saying he was "shocked, sad, angry and very disappointed", and revealed he had appointed an independent auditor to analyse the club's books.

But he also said he would not step down, despite growing supporter anger, and maintained the club was not a systemic salary cap cheat.

"This is a situation that has rocked me but it has made me more resolved than ever to see Perth Glory FC fulfil its true potential," Mr Sage said.

"And we reiterate that all payments were made from the club's bank account.

"It is important to note that for seasons 2012-13 and 2013-14 the club failed to report benefits, in relation to accommodation and vehicles - but it did not exceed the salary cap for those respective seasons."

Former club favourites Jamie Harnwell and Travis Dodd said that they believed the club would struggle to regain the trust of the fans and sponsors after the de- bacle, which has already claimed the scalp of chief executive Jason Brewer.

"Do they think supporters will be happy with this explanation and willing to fork out for season tickets next year," Harnwell said.

And Dodd said he was sure that players who had been denied a finals position would be "livid" with the situation.

"The club have accepted the penalties but not really admitted the wrongdoing, which is disappointing," Dodd said. "But for all the talk about a mass exodus, I think they should let the dust settle and not do anything rash."

Coach Kenny Lowe said while he and the players were putting on a brave face, the personal nature of the penalties was brought home to him by the tears of his children.

"When you have got your seven and nine-year-old crying because you're not going to play finals that kind of hits home, and that's just me. How do the fans feel," he said.