Gretna

What happened was that Mileson suddenly started cutting costs with them on the verge of promotion to the SPL last season. I think he must've twigged that with their fanbase (sic) and lack of good enough ground, going up would prove far more trouble than it was worth. Unfortunately, they still managed to scramble over the line, meaning this season has been one big mess.

They've filed for administration because weirdly, it doesn't seem as though they ever ran themselves via a planned budget at all: it was just Mileson writing out cheques at the end of every month. But he's very sick (he suffers from ME, and has heart problems thanks to his 100-a-day tab habit), and when he was taken into hospital, no-one had power of attorney to pay the players: not even Mileson's son! It's rumoured that DoF Mick Wadsworth sold his car to ensure they were paid - but they've been in limbo ever since, and Mileson's reported to be £370,000 in debt too.

Basically, the moment he fell ill, cash flow completely dried up and this has been the result. What'll happen now is the SPL will pay Gretna their 'prize money' for finishing 12th a couple of months in advance, meaning they should just about be able to scramble through the rest of the season. The authorities are in a complete panic about the possibility of them folding mid-season, and having to expunge all their previous results: it'd change the league table so much that lawsuits could well result.

So this should ensure it doesn't come to that - though I think they're very likely to go into liquidation come the summer, which is sad, but arguably always inevitable once they started overspending to such an absurd degree.

Posted By: thebigfeller on March 10th 2008 at 15:00:03

Message Thread

Gretna (Other Football) - thebigfeller, Mar 10, 15:00:03
- I think the problems started when he decided to get involved with Gretna (Other Football) - caley canary, Mar 10, 16:19:43
- 100/day!!!!! Is that physically possible?? If so, no wonder he's in debt! (n/m) (Other Football) - CB41, Mar 10, 15:21:38
  - that's a fag every 14 minutes and 24 seconds (Other Football) - megson, Mar 10, 15:57:23
    - Just like George Michael (Other Football) - harry boulders, Mar 10, 16:22:35
- ah cheers for the detailed account! (n/m) (Other Football) - Brandonio, Mar 10, 15:04:51

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