Gretna hang onto life but the end is nigh

ADMINISTRATOR for Gretna admits fulfilling fixture against Aberdeen is vital but only ten players willing to play due to lack of insurance.

THE theft of 20 pairs of boots from the Gretna dressing room is a mere triviality amid the clubs's current woes, but it is just another frustration for the very people currently wrestling with a decision set to impact greatly on the club's hopes of survival.

Have boots, will travel is a popular phrase, but even then it is not certain the Gretna players will agree to journey north to Aberdeen for this weekend's fixture at Pittodrie. Gretna's future lies with the players who have been cut adrift from the club this week, and effectively rendered redundant. David Elliot, the joint administrator, needs Gretna to play this weekend's scheduled fixture or face further penalties, with the club already reconciled to a ten-point deduction imposed by the Scottish Premier League when administration was officially confirmed on Wednesday.

The ball is in the players' court, and skipper Paul Murray yesterday confirmed they will gather again at Raydale Park to discuss the pros and cons. They will, however, be minus former captain Chris Innes, who was absent from training yesterday. Dundee are in negotiations to sign the centre-half as they seek to strengthen their First Division title bid.

Those who are left at Raydale Park must decide whether there is anything to be gained from playing a fixture that means nothing to them in terms of league position, with Gretna all but relegated. Pride is not even an issue any longer when the very future of the club is at stake.

While Ellliot has asked players to fulfil their fixture at Aberdeen on Saturday the absence of guarantee regarding wages and doubts over insurance money has left with him only ten available players. But Elliot is determined to ensure that these players will have adequate insurance should they agree to help Gretna buy the time they need to make it through another week.

Elliot is determined to give the club a chance of making it through to next weekend's potentially lucrative home clash with Celtic. Costs for the Aberdeen game have been eased, with players willing to travel on the day of the game and a coach offered to the club to transport them north.

"If I am to prevail and get through Saturday, our next match will be a week on Sunday against Celtic and that would be a cash bonus for us and would alleviate some of the problems," said Elliot.

But the situation remains dire. "I am being dragged, kicking and screaming, to the death throes of this club," Elliot added. The players must decide whether it is worth even playing one more game, and facing the prospect of injury.

"Each player is facing a situation where their contract has been breached," he continued. "The players will need to consider their now position. Until 27 March there is the opportunity to move to another club. I can't stand in their way morally, ethically or legally. I was impressed with their loyalty and the way they want to keep the football playing.

"We have a shortage in particular at the goalkeeper position. Out of 17 senior players I have got ten available for Saturday. They are wanting to ensure that they are insured. What I have done is to get my staff to make certain that they are insured. I would treat that as a matter of utmost priority."

Elliot will also hold talks with the Scottish Premier League so they may relax rules which prevented them handing over a £100,000 advance – if Gretna can agree a plan to complete the season. League officials had agreed to pay the cash in four weekly instalments but a clause forbids them to do so when a club falls into administration.

"They have also impressed upon me the integrity of the league and the integrity of the sport," said Elliot. "What they mean is that if we were to field a 'youth team' it could affect the goal difference between Rangers and Celtic. Therefore I am mindful that we need to put out a strong senior team and that is what I am struggling to do."

Elliot is battling to keep the club going in the hope of finding a new Brooks Mileson, who bankrolled the club until falling ill with a brain infection last month. Elliot made another plea to Mileson's son Craig, Gretna's operations director, to continue the funding which has amounted to around £8million.

"Without wishing to be unkind I have said to him I have no idea how seriously ill his father is, but I really feel he needs to be made aware the club he has spent so much time and money on is likely to be closed and if he wants to do something he has to do it now," explained Elliot. "Craig returned from the family home and there is no financial commitment coming from Mr Mileson."

Elliot revealed "two or three" parties had expressed interest in the club. Football agent Paul Davies wants to look at the books to determine whether he and partners Hume International could fund the club.

"That's why I would like to get through the game on Saturday and explore those opportunities," he said. "What they don't know is the extent of the problem and what they would be – and I use the term loosely – investing in."

GRETNA

1946: Gretna form and start in Dumfries Junior League.

1947: Move to Carlisle and District League.

1982: Admitted to English Northern League.

1991: Reach FA Cup first round. Draw 0-0 at home to Rochdale but lose replay 3-1.

1993: May – Unsuccessfully apply for Scottish Football League membership. November – Beaten 3-2 at Bolton in FA Cup first round.

1999: Fail in second SFL bid.

2002: Elected to SFL after the demise of Clydebank.

2003: Benefactor Brooks Mileson joins the club.

2005: Promoted from the Third Division, setting new points record with 98.

2006: 25 March – Win promotion to First Division.

13 May – Beaten 4-2 in penalty shoot-out by Hearts in Scottish Cup final after 1-1 draw after extra time.

August – Lose 7-3 on aggregate to Derry City in the Uefa Cup.

2007: 7 March – Manager Rowan Alexander given leave from the club due to illness. 28 April – Gretna win title and promotion to the SPL with a last-gasp 3-2 victory against Ross County on the last day of the season.

18 July – Davie Irons appointed head coach.

2008: 12 February – Club confirms Mileson has been admitted to hospital, with tests revealing he is suffering from a brain infection.

18 February – It emerges players and staff have not been paid.

19 February – Irons and his assistant Derek Collins resign and join First Division Morton. Director of football Mick Wadsworth takes over as caretaker manager.

21 February – Mileson is released from hospital.

12 March – Club enter administration. Administrator David Elliot warns Gretna have to find £30,000 or the club will cease to exist.

13 March – Deadline extended but Elliot claims the club's position has "deteriorated" overnight. Players free to leave Gretna as contracts have been breached.