Gretna F.C.

Football club infobox
clubname = Gretna F.C.


fullname = Gretna Football Club
nickname = The Weddingmakers
The Black and Whites,
The Celebrant
The Monochrome
The Anvils
founded = 1946
dissolved = 2008
ground = Raydale Park,
Gretna
capacity = 3,000 [ [http://www.scottishgrounds.co.uk/gretna.htm Scottish Football Ground Guide] ]
chairman =
manager =
mgrtitle =
league =
season = 2007-08
position = Scottish Premier League, 12th (relegated)
pattern_la1=
pattern_b1=
pattern_ra1=
leftarm1=000000
body1=FFFFFF
rightarm1=000000
shorts1=FFFFFF
socks1=FFFFFF
pattern_la2
pattern_b2=
pattern_ra2=
leftarm2=FFFFFF
body2=0000FF
rightarm2=FFFFFF
shorts2=0000FF
socks2=0000FF

Gretna Football Club was a Scottish football club that represented the town of Gretna, Dumfries and Galloway that was founded in 1946 and dissolved in 2008 after coming into severe financial difficulties.

Despite being based in Scotland, the club participated in English football from 1947 until it was elected to the Scottish Football League at the third attempt in 2002. Due to the financial support of businessman Brooks Mileson, the club was promoted through the Scottish leagues from the Third Division side to the SPL in less than five years.

The club struggled badly in the SPL and it was placed in administration after Mileson withdrew his support. [cite web|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/mar/23/newsstory.sport1|title=End of a romantic dream for the Roman Abramovich of Gretna|author=Neil Drysdale|date=March 23 2008] At the end of the season, all of the club's staff were made redundant and the club was initially relegated to the Third Division due to their inability to guarantee fulfilment of their forthcoming fixtures. After this demotion, the one remaining potential buyer withdrew their offer to buy the club. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/south_of_scotland/7430745.stm Gretna no longer in existence] , BBC News, June 2 2008.] The club resigned their place in the Scottish Football League on 3 June [ [http://sport.setanta.com/en/Sport/News/Football/2008/06/03/Gretna-resign-from-SFL/ Death knell for crisis club] , Setanta Sports, June 3 2008.] and was formally liquidated on 8 August. [cite news | url=http://www.cumberland-news.co.uk/1.218555 | title=Liquidation signals the final nail in Gretna coffin | work=The Cumberland News | date=2008-08-08 ]

A supporters' trust formed a new club, Gretna FC 2008, which was accepted into the East of Scotland Football League on 11 July 2008. Although sharing a common fanbase and similar name, the two clubs have no legal connection. [cite news | url=http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/sport/Gretna-given-place-in-the.4279463.jp | title=Gretna given place in the East of Scotland League | work=The Scotsman | date=2008-07-11 | quote='We are obviously a new club carrying on the traditions of the old club and there is no connection with the old club other than the similarity in name,' said Hodge. ]

History

Beginnings

An amateur team called Gretna Green FC had existed in the town in the 19th century, but were bankrupt by the 1920s. This left the area without a team until Gretna Football Club was founded in 1946 by servicemen returning from the Second World War. [ [http://sport.scotsman.com/football/Last-Post-sounds-for-Gretna.4143774.jp Last Post sounds for Gretna, set up by war heroes to give village hope] , The Scotsman, June 3 2008] The club initially played in the Dumfries and District Junior League.

Period in English football

The following year, the club moved to the Carlisle and District League, which is run by the English Football Association. This was despite the club being based in Scotland, although Gretna is very close to the Anglo–Scottish border. They remained in this league for all but one season until 1982, when the club moved to the newly-created Second Division of the Northern League. The club won this league and were promoted immediately, before back-to-back championship wins in the First Division, in 1990–91 and 1991–92, resulted in their promotion to the first division of the Northern Premier League.

During this period, the club featured in the FA Cup, becoming the first club based in Scotland to appear in the competition proper since Rangers had done so in 1887. They managed to take Rochdale to a replay in 1991 and gave Bolton Wanderers a scare in 1993 before being beaten. [ [http://sport.scotsman.com/scottishcupfinal/Gretna-grit-forged-in-FA.2775170.jp Gretna grit forged in FA Cup battle with Bolton] , "The Scotsman", May 13 2006]

The club saw its future in Scottish football and applied twice to join the Scottish League in 1993 and 1999. To help boost their later application, they played a Rangers XI in a game to raise money for victims of the Lockerbie air disaster. Gretna won 2–1 against a strong team.Fact|date=June 2007

Period back in Scottish football

Rapid rise through the leagues

In 2002, Gretna were elected to the Scottish Football League at the third attempt, taking the place of Airdrieonians. The club was soon taken over by Brooks Mileson and with his financial input Gretna's on-field fortunes rapidly improved. Gretna won the Division Three, Division Two and Division One titles in successive seasons from 2005 to 2007. During their seasons of successive promotions they scored 297 goals, 130 in the 2004–05 season alone. This was one short of the British league record of goals scored in a season.

Gretna were also runners-up in the 2006 Scottish Cup. Gretna's 3–0 win in the semi-final against Dundeecite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_cups/4860972.stm|publisher=BBC Sport website|title=Gretna 3–0 Dundee|date=1 April 2006] made them the first team from the third tier of Scottish league football to reach the final. Gretna lost to Hearts in the final on penalties after a 1–1 draw.cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_cups/4764967.stm|publisher=BBC Sport website|title=Hearts 1–1 Gretna (4–2 on pens)|date=13 May 2006] As Hearts had finished second in the Scottish Premier League and had therefore qualified for the UEFA Champions League, Gretna became the first team from the third tier of the Scottish league to qualify for the UEFA Cup. Gretna faced League of Ireland side Derry City in the second qualifying round, but lost 7–3 on aggregate.cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/5280926.stm|publisher=BBC Sport website|title=Derry City 2–2 Gretna (7–3 agg)|date=24 August 2006]

Gretna had also been promoted to the First Division in 2006, and for much of the 2006–07 season, they led the division, with a margin of 12 points at one stage. However, manager Rowan Alexander was forced to step down in March 2007 due to health problems, and coach Davie Irons stepped up to the manager's position. Gretna's form dipped afterwards and second-placed St. Johnstone went on a good run, leaving Gretna with only a one point lead going into the final day of the season. Despite St. Johnstone taking an early lead in their match, Gretna beat Ross County 3–2 with a last-minute goal by James Grady, ensuring promotion to the Scottish Premier League.cite web | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_div_1/6599245.stm | title=Ross County 2–3 Gretna | work=BBC Sport]

=Gretna in the SPL=

During the 2007–08 season, Gretna played their home games at Motherwell's home ground of Fir Park because Raydale Park did not meet SPL standards. Their first game in the SPL was against Falkirk which ended in a 4–0 defeat for Gretna. They struggled for form, only gaining four points in their first 12 games and having to wait until 22 September 2007 for their first win in the SPL, defeating Dundee United 3–2 at Fir Park. [cite news
title = Gretna 3-2 Dundee United
url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/7005516.stm
publisher = BBC Sport
date = 2007-09-22
accessdate = 2007-09-22]

However during this time the club's financial situation became dire. The club had accumulated debts of nearly £4m, [cite web | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/south_of_scotland/7361405.stm | title= Gretna FC debt level almost £4m | work=BBC Sport ] and owner Brooks Mileson fell ill and withdrew his financial support for the club. [cite news|last=Gordon|first=Phil|title=End is nigh as Gretna face cash deadline|publisher=Times Online|date=2008-03-12|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/scotland/article3543281.ece|accessdate=2008-03-21] A confused management situation did not help. Whilst Rowan Alexander was officially still manager, Davie Irons was in control of the teamFact|date=March 2008. On November 6 2007, Gretna officially sacked Rowan Alexander as manager and formally installed Irons in his position.Fact|date=June 2008

On February 18 2008 it was revealed that Gretna staff, including players, had not received their wages on time. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/g/gretna/7250672.stm Gretna players hit by pay delay] , BBC Sport] Irons and assistant manager Derek Collins both resigned [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/g/gretna/7252368.stm Irons quits Gretna for Morton job] , BBC Sport] from their posts the following day. Gretna director of football Mick Wadsworth, assisted by Iain Scott and Andy Smith, took charge of first-team affairs. The club went into administration on March 12 2008 after Mileson's withdrawal of support. This resulted in a ten point deduction, meaning they had a total of only six points from 28 games on the date of entering administration [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/g/gretna/7291519.stm Gretna edging closer to closure] ] . The SPL agreed to pay the players' salaries until the end of the 2007–08 season, ensuring that the club were able to complete its fixtures in the SPL. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/g/gretna/7307222.stm SPL money to help stricken Gretna] ]

Administration led to cost-cutting and redundancies; club captain Chris Innes was made redundant on March 25 2008, with the club explaining that he had "attracted interest from other clubs" [cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/g/gretna/7312756.stm|title=Gretna's Innes is made redundant|date=25 March|accessdate=2008|publisher=BBC Sport] . The following day, 22 players, including eight members of the senior squad, along with coaching staff and the former owner's son were also made redundant. [cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/g/gretna/7312756.stm|title=Gretna make 22 players redundant|date=26 March|accessdate=2008|publisher=BBC Sport] Gretna were formally relegated from the SPL on March 29 2008 after being defeated 2–0 by St Mirren at Love Street, and broke the SPL's low attendance record on April 5 2008 in their game against Inverness, when just 431 turned up for the game. [ [http://www.scotprem.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Attendance/0,,10002~20073,00.html Attendance statistics] , Scottish Premier League official website] They won their final SPL game, a home match against Hearts 1–0 with a goal from Gavin Skelton, which meant they finished the season with 13 points, narrowly avoiding setting a record low points total for the SPL.

Demise

In the spring of 2008 it was revealed by the administrator, Wilson Field of Sheffield, that Gretna had creditors of nearly £4m and assets (Raydale Park) of less than £1m. HM Revenue and Customs was owed nearly £600,000 in total, and it was their threat to wind up the company that precipitated Gretna's move into administration. On 8 May, the administrator set a deadline of 17 May for a buyer to be found, or the club would be liquidated. [ [http://sport.scotsman.com/football/Gretna-administrator-racks-up-253000.4014502.jp Gretna administrator racks up £253,000 in fees for six weeks of work at crisis club] , "The Scotsman".] [cite news |title= Gretna deadline at season's end |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/south_of_scotland/7388156.stm |publisher=BCC News |date=2008-05-08 |accessdate=2008-05-08 ]

After that deadline passed without a buyer making a firm offer, all the remaining employees were made redundant, but it was reported that the club were still negotiating with an interested buyer. [cite news |title=Gretna lay off remaining 40 staff|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/g/gretna/7408191.stm|publisher=BBC Sport |date=2008-05-19 |accessdate=2008-05-19 ] On 29 May, Gretna were relegated to the Third Division due to their financial struggles, with the Scottish Football League threatening expulsion should a takeover not be completed within a week. After a takeover bid fell through on 1 June, [Hannan, Martin. [http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com/football/Gretna39s-dream-is-crushed-as.4139947.jp Gretna's dream is crushed as funds bid fails] , "Scotland on Sunday", 1 June 2008.] the administrators confirmed the following day that they would look to sell Raydale Park to someone who will use the site for something other than football.

Gretna resigned from the Scottish Football League on 3 June. [cite web | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/g/gretna/7433470.stm | title= Gretna relinquish league status | work=BBC Sport ] Near neighbours fc|Annan Athletic won the vote to replace Gretna in the Scottish league. [cite web | url=http://ukpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5i_VMae0C2Ffm_kImWgtQhDZtZjjQ | title= Annan win SFL place | work=Press Association ] With no ground, staff, players or a competition to play in, the club's dissolution was inevitable and the club was formally liquidated by the administrators on 8 August. [cite news | url=http://www.cumberland-news.co.uk/1.218555 | title=Liquidation signals the final nail in Gretna coffin | work=The Cumberland News | date=2008-08-08 ]

Successor club

The Gretna Supporters Society (a Supporters' trust) formed a new club, Gretna FC 2008 on 2 July 2008 and applied to join both the East of Scotland Football League and the South of Scotland Football League. [cite news | url=http://www.news-and-star.co.uk/1.137529 |title= Rome: I'll be proud when Gretna tackle Reds| ] They were accepted into the East of Scotland League, though they will initially play their matches at the Everholm Stadium in Annan. The club have expressed a wish to return to Raydale Park. [cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/south_of_scotland/7501323.stm |title= Gretna starts again from scratch |publisher=BBC Sport|date=2008-07-11|accessdate=2008-07-11]

Honours

English football

*Northern League Division One
**Champions (2): 1990–91, 1991–92
**Runners-up (1): 1989–90

*Northern League Division Two
**Runners-up (1): 1982–83

Scottish football

*Scottish Cup
**Runners-Up (1): 2005–06

*Scottish Football League Division One
**Champions (1): 2006–07

*Scottish Football League Division Two
**Champions (1): 2005–06

*Scottish Football League Division Three
**Champions (1): 2004–05

Records

* Record victory: 20–0 v Silloth (1962)
* Record defeat: 2–9 v Ashton United (2000)
* Most league points in a season: 98 (2004–05)
* Most league goals in a season: 38, Kenny Deuchar (2004–05)
* Most hat-tricks in a season: 6, Kenny Deuchar (2004–05)

Former managers

*flagicon|Scotland Rowan Alexander (2000-2007) [ [http://sport.independent.co.uk/football/scotland/article355367.ece A pipe dream come true: Gretna's romance of the cup - Scottish, Football - Independent.co.uk ] ]
*flagicon|Scotland Davie Irons (2007-2008)
*flagicon|England Mick Wadsworth (2008)

References

External links

* [http://www.gretnafcpics.co.uk/ Official Picture Site]
* [http://www.gretna-mad.co.uk/ Gretna Mad - "The definitive Gretna website"]
* [http://www.gretna.vitalfootball.co.uk/ Vital Gretna]
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/g/gretna/default.stm Gretna BBC My Club page]