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Gretna bid farewell to big time | Gretna bid farewell to big time |
(about 17 hours later) | |
Two years ago Gretna announced their arrival on the big football stage in the Scottish Cup final. | Two years ago Gretna announced their arrival on the big football stage in the Scottish Cup final. |
On Tuesday night they made their last appearance in the Scottish Premier League before possibly disappearing from the game for good. | On Tuesday night they made their last appearance in the Scottish Premier League before possibly disappearing from the game for good. |
Ironically, this time around a last minute goal saw them beat Hearts 1-0. | Ironically, this time around a last minute goal saw them beat Hearts 1-0. |
In between times they won promotion, played in the Uefa Cup, parted company with two managers and went into administration. | In between times they won promotion, played in the Uefa Cup, parted company with two managers and went into administration. |
It has been a tempestuous affair for Scotland's most romantic town. | It has been a tempestuous affair for Scotland's most romantic town. |
From the outset it was an unlikely success story. | From the outset it was an unlikely success story. |
A town with a population of less than 3,000 and a fan base which was even smaller did not seem to be the natural home of a football giant. | A town with a population of less than 3,000 and a fan base which was even smaller did not seem to be the natural home of a football giant. |
That was until owner Brooks Mileson came along and became the club's financial mainstay. | That was until owner Brooks Mileson came along and became the club's financial mainstay. |
"To say we've bought success is ridiculous," he insisted at the time of the cup final. | "To say we've bought success is ridiculous," he insisted at the time of the cup final. |
"We've got a good gaffer in Rowan Alexander, who's brought in great players who play the way he wants. | "We've got a good gaffer in Rowan Alexander, who's brought in great players who play the way he wants. |
"It's not because of me or my money." | "It's not because of me or my money." |
Nonetheless, he showed no little largesse following that Scottish Cup defeat to Hearts. | Nonetheless, he showed no little largesse following that Scottish Cup defeat to Hearts. |
A half-page advert in the Evening News thanked the capital club's fans for the ovation they gave to Gretna. | A half-page advert in the Evening News thanked the capital club's fans for the ovation they gave to Gretna. |
Both manager Alexander and his assistant Davie Irons were on five year contracts. | Both manager Alexander and his assistant Davie Irons were on five year contracts. |
The club went on to win the Scottish first division in 2007 but in March that year their manager was given a "leave of absence". | The club went on to win the Scottish first division in 2007 but in March that year their manager was given a "leave of absence". |
Alexander tried to return to take control of the club for their opening SPL fixture but was turned away at the door. | Alexander tried to return to take control of the club for their opening SPL fixture but was turned away at the door. |
He was officially sacked by the club in November - a decision he vowed to contest. | He was officially sacked by the club in November - a decision he vowed to contest. |
However, events at the Raydale Park side suggested their problems spread much wider than a disgruntled former manager. | However, events at the Raydale Park side suggested their problems spread much wider than a disgruntled former manager. |
GRETNA LANDMARKS August 2002 - First Scottish league matchJune 2003 - Brooks Mileson becomes ownerMarch 2005 - Win promotion to second divisionMarch 2006 - Win promotion to first divisionMay 2006 - Lose Scottish Cup final to HeartsApril 2007 - Win promotion to Scottish Premier LeagueMarch 2008 - Go into administrationMarch 2008 - Relegated from SPLMay 2008 - Last SPL fixture | |
In February this year, Brooks Mileson was admitted to hospital with a brain infection and a week later it emerged players' wages had not been paid. | In February this year, Brooks Mileson was admitted to hospital with a brain infection and a week later it emerged players' wages had not been paid. |
Soon afterwards chief executive Graeme Muir admitted that administration was a possibility that could not be ruled out. | Soon afterwards chief executive Graeme Muir admitted that administration was a possibility that could not be ruled out. |
Although Mr Mileson got out of hospital by the end of the month, the financial situation did not improve. | Although Mr Mileson got out of hospital by the end of the month, the financial situation did not improve. |
By March administration became a reality and a number of players were made redundant. | By March administration became a reality and a number of players were made redundant. |
Documents showed that at the time the club had run up debts of about £4m. | Documents showed that at the time the club had run up debts of about £4m. |
Administrators managed to find a way of getting the club through to the end of the season but now they face an uncertain future. | Administrators managed to find a way of getting the club through to the end of the season but now they face an uncertain future. |
At the very best they will be relegated to the first division under a new owner. | At the very best they will be relegated to the first division under a new owner. |
The worst-case scenario would see the club disappear from the game completely. | The worst-case scenario would see the club disappear from the game completely. |
"I just don't know where it's going to end," admitted Brooks Mileson a couple of years ago. | "I just don't know where it's going to end," admitted Brooks Mileson a couple of years ago. |
Exactly the same could be said now as Gretna's brush with football glory comes to a close. | Exactly the same could be said now as Gretna's brush with football glory comes to a close. |
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