Scotland » Gretna

Anybody want to play for Gretna?

Ian Rose — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 23:11:47 +0000

Things just keep getting worse for the SPL’s bottom side. First, their millionaire owner took ill, forcing paychecks to go unpaid. Then, they were forced into administration, dooming what little chance they had of staying up in Scotland’s top flight. Now, it’s not even certain whether or not Gretna FC will be able to field a side on Saturday against Aberdeen, because only 10 players have committed to taking the pitch. Administration has led to a question of whether Gretna’s remaining players will be paid, and if so, when, and it seems that several of them are just unwilling to take the field.

One can’t blame these guys for wanting to get paid for their jobs, but I do sincerely hope Gretna can finish out the season. They’ve had a great rise through the Scottish League system, and though I was always rooting against them for survival in the SPL, I hate to see everything fall apart like this. To add insult to injury, apparently someone broke into the team’s home park and stole boots and other equipment. Bad form to the thieves … way to kick them when they’re down.

It’s official: Gretna administered and relegated

Ian Rose — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 01:06:39 +0000

It’s long been suspected, especially since the failing health of owner Miles Brookson has come to light, but now it’s official. Gretna and the SPL have confirmed that last season’s promotion side Gretna FC will certainly be headed for administration, and thus the mandatory 10-point penalty. Now sitting in last place eleven points behind St. Mirren, this takes relegation from a reasonable near certainty to a statistical one.

You had a great three-year rise through the Scottish leagues, Gretna. I hope you enjoyed it. The ride down will be less pleasant, but hopefully, the team can get its finances sorted and do decently in the First Division. In the future, especially if the SPL expands, as I believe it must, to 18 or 20 teams, we could very well see Gretna again.

More bad news for Gretna: Irons is out

Ian Rose — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 19:44:55 +0000

Davie Irons has resigned as Gretna manager, as the hits just keep on coming for a team with an ailing owner, a firm place in the SPL relegation spot, and who aren’t getting paid for coming to work. Irons takes assistant Derek Collins with him, and has reportedly accepted the top job at Morton.

For those of you not up to date with the league tables in Scotland, here’s the situation. Yes, Gretna are bottom of the SPL, with 13 points from 25 matches. But, Morton are in a relegation playoff spot in the first division (the second tier of Scottish football), and in very real danger of dropping down another level. In one foul swoop, Irons has potentially traded down two levels of competition. Bravo, Davie. Bravo.

Poor Gretna

Ian Rose — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 22:24:49 +0000

It must be hard to play for Gretna these days. As we step closer and closer to the end of the SPL season, it becomes clearer each week that the Black and Whites are headed back down. They’re technically only three matches behind Kilmarnock, but there’s a gulf of quality between Gretna and any other side in the league this season. But at least if you’re not winning, you’re still getting paid, right? This week, adding insult to injury, Gretna has had a problem paying their staff. Apparently Brooks Mileson, the club owner responsible for tiny Gretna rising to the relative heights of the SPL, was also personally responsible for payroll. Mileson is currently in hospital with an unreleased medical condition, and in his absence, bills are going unpaid, including payroll for players and staff.

After three successive years of promotion glory, it seems everything is coming apart, all at once, for the little club that could. Here’s hoping they get their bills sorted, but Mileson’s dream of a prolonged stay in the top flight seems less and less likely by the day.