Gretna

Catman · 01-26-2008, 12:12 PM

Gretna have completed a loan deal for Everton youngster John Paul Kissock, who joins the Black and Whites until the end of the season. The 18-year-old midfielder, a product of the Goodison Academy, has been with the Toffees since the age of seven and has worked his way through the youth system and into the reserve team.

He has represented England at Under-16, Under-17 and Under-18 levels and has been on standby for the Under-19s.

A quick-footed attacking midfielder, Kissock, who is contracted to Everton until 2009, was included by David Moyes in the travelling party for the UEFA Cup game against AZ Alkmaar a month ago.

He will go straight into the squad for Saturday's SPL clash with Hibernian at Easter Road, subject to international clearance.

'Chopper' · 02-19-2008, 09:35 AM

The Club don's say a great deal:

Quote:

Gretna Football Club can confirm that David Irons and Derek Collins have resigned with immediate effect. A further announcement will be made shortly.

Did they jump ......... or were they pushed?! The BBC seems to think they're off to Morton:

Quote:

Manager David Irons has resigned his post at Gretna, along with assistant Derek Collins.

The pair are expected to take over at First Division Morton, with the clubs negotiating compensation for Irons.

Irons stepped up from the assistant's role last March and steered the club into the Premier League as caretaker coach on the final day of the season.

He was given the manager's job in July, taking over from Rowan Alexander, but Gretna have struggled in the SPL.

Irons leaves with the club stranded at the foot of the table, having picked up just 13 points from 25 games.

Murphy · 02-19-2008, 11:02 PM

They left because the owner is seriously ill in hospital and can't sign off the wage for everyone so nobody has been paid, Club going down the pan, they're off to Morton though, thats a fact, real shame though, Gretna has proved to be the fairytale of scottish football, would be nice for something similar in England, but without what looks to be a very bad season.

'Chopper' · 02-20-2008, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Murphy

They left because the owner is seriously ill in hospital and can't sign off the wage for everyone so nobody has been paid

That's not why the management duo left, they simply realised that they were facing relegation at a club with no fans and left for a potentially bigger club with much higher attendances and a strong, loyal, fanbase.

Hearts fans get on well with Gretna, following our Scottish Cup victory, so it's sad to see them struggle and Miles to be so ill. He's a real fan and loves the club but his health is failing and his son will no doubt take over the reins. But will he fund the club like his dad did, in the 1st Division?

Murphy · 02-20-2008, 10:49 AM

I doubt it

Miles made his own money so he appreciates it more cos he knows what its like to have nothing and be a normal person.

Most people born with a silver spoon in their mouth are just after money, passion and the love of something are nothing to people like that, they only love money

Hope I am wrong

'Chopper' · 02-20-2008, 11:09 AM

......... what I said in my earlier post:

Quote:

Irons can't dwell on the past in spite of what any of his critics have to say about insensitivity or dubious timing.

He said: "What I've done is join a club that is bigger in stature than Gretna.

I'm excited and apprehensive at the same time. The opportunity came out of the blue and was one I couldn't turn down. I'm well aware I'll be accused of jumping ship while Gretna drown in their own problems but a lot of what has happened was none of my doing.

"There were times when I felt as if I was working with both hands tied behind my back and now I'm going to be my own man."

Irons chose not to go into detail about Gretna's internal difficulties but it's common knowledge he had to get rid of a bunch of high-earning players to keep the club afloat while the responsibility for signing new ones was taken by director of footballMick Wadsworth.

Irons said: "It wasn't always easy for me to impose my thoughts and ideas where the team was concerned. There were times when Icouldn't influence things I disagreed with.

"I picked the team but couldn't choose the players who were brought to be in it.

"But I'll look back with pride on my time at the club. I arrived as a part-time player and rose to full-time assistant manager. We won three successive championships, made it to a Scottish Cup Final and played in Europe. It was beyond my wildest dreams."

When elements of a nightmare started to appear on the horizon, Irons started to think about what was best for his future and that's what pre-occupied him yesterday while chaos reigned behind the scenes at Gretna.

He said: "I knew I'd be accused of insensitivity for leaving while the owner is in hospital.

"I couldn't speak to him before I took the decision to go to Morton because he was too unwell and that has left me with a certain level of guilt. But I will be making the effort to see Brooks once his condition stabilises and I'msure he'll understand it was a decision I had to take. It's a move I'm happy with."

What might weaken relations between Irons and Gretna is an admission he may go back there for players to help Morton in their fight to avoid relegation. He said: "I hope it won't come to that because it gives me no joy to see Gretna struggle. But if players became available I'd have to consider it because we're in a precarious position"

There is speculation midfielder Gavin Skelton and striker Kenny Deuchar are already on Morton's radar.

Irons said: "The hard work started straight away because I took the players out for a training session after agreeing a deal with the chairman. He seems like a real gentleman to me, a throwback to what club chairmen used to be like.

"I've been feeling under strain but now face an exciting start against one of my old clubs, St Johnstone. Derek Collins, my assistant, is very much with me at Cappielow because he's a Morton legend, having played more games for them than anyone in their history.

"I'm leaving behind players at Gretna who were brilliant for me and I've got a lot of respect for them but now it's time to focus on the future."

'Chopper' · 03-12-2008, 12:36 PM

Club statement:

Quote:

Chairman Ron MacGregor has applauded the Scottish Premier League for safeguarding the immediate future of the club.

With increasing financial difficulties due to owner Brooks Mileson’s ill health, Gretna have been granted an advance on their share of television and prize money, which is normally presented at the end of the season.

This ensures the Black and Whites will fulfil all remaining fixtures, although insolvency experts Wilson Field Ltd are expected to take control of the club on Wednesday.

“We have had tremendous support in terms of advice and loan money from the Scottish Premier League,” he said.

“Considering we are their newest member, and probably their short-lived member for the moment, they have been very good with us.”

“They are making available a loan. It is a loan against money that would have been due to us at the end of April anyway.”

“But making this loan money available will enable the staff and players to be paid this week. Then after that, it’s into the administrators’ hands.”

Following the club’s announcement of their intention to appoint an administrator, the SPL confirmed the sporting sanctions which would apply in the event of such an appointment.

An SPL spokesman said: “If an SPL club is the subject of an insolvency event, a ten point deduction would apply immediately. The club would also be embargoed from signing any new players.”

“The notice of the intention to appoint an administrator alone does not trigger the sporting sanctions - it is the actual appointment of an administrator which does.”

“If an administrator is indeed appointed we will seek an early meeting with him or her to discuss the plans for Gretna FC going forward and how we can best support these.”

The Scotsman:

Quote:

THE postponement of last night's Scottish Premier League fixture with St Mirren was described as a blessing by Gretna chairman Ron MacGregor as the club prepared to welcome administrators through its front door this morning.

David Elliot and Lisa Hogg, from the Sheffield-based insolvency practitioners Wilson Field, have been handed the responsibility of keeping the ailing club in business. One of their first chores will be to examine the players' salary roll, and decide who are the biggest burdens to the club in terms of wages.

Also present in the tray marked 'important' is the issue of a loan from the SPL. Iain Blair, the SPL secretary, will meet the administrators this morning in an effort to gain some assurances with regard to the loan, which is related to fees the club is still to receive from the league. The money was said to be going through the banking system on Monday, but is still not available to help pay the players this week.

"We haven't been able to apply it yet," revealed MacGregor. "I hope it can be moved along and hope there are no hiccups. He (Blair] has to look at it in the context of whether there is any difference in the situation now the club is in administration. He has to satisfy the SPL board. And I hope he will."

With the club now effectively relegated – the 10 point deduction triggered by administration leaves Gretna 21 points behind 11th placed St Mirren – there is no desperate need to retain the best players, but the first-team squad was last night spared being expected to fulfil a fixture while futures remained in limbo. Gretna's match with St Mirren was called off yesterday morning due to a waterlogged pitch and the players were not required to attend Raydale Park. They will return to the ground this morning and face another harrowing day.

"If we were a couple of weeks further back we would be very frustrated at not getting a chance to have a go at St Mirren," said MacGregor. "But with all that has happened this week it is probably a good thing for the players. We have a long haul up to Aberdeen on Saturday, and there's no question of us playing St Mirren next week because they have their cup replay with St Johnstone.

"After the Aberdeen trip the decks are cleared ahead of our game with Celtic the following Sunday. I think we are all looking forward to that because it will be our final game with one or other of the Old Firm teams, and should provide us with a memory if we don't come this way again."

But before this pair of fixtures Gretna must brace themselves for swingeing cut-backs and the inevitable termination of staff contracts. Director of Football Development is likely to be regarded as a dispensable position, although this is complicated by Mick Wadsworth's recent move into the caretaker manager seat.

No contact has been made with owner Brooks Mileson since the club's fall into administration was confirmed on Monday, with his director son, Craig, described as "worn out" by recent events.

The Daily Record:

Quote:

SANDWICH chain Subway will pull the plug on Gretna at the end of the season.

The US-owned outfit, who ploughed cash into the crippled SPL club at the start of the season, will continue their sponsorship until summer then quit.

And as administrators prepare to take over the running of the club this morning, the entire first-team squad could be axed, forcing Gretna to field their youth team.

Subway had planned to extend their backing into next season, even if the club had been relegated but now managing director Brooks Mileson has revealed he will no longer inject cash into the hard-up club, the sandwich giants appear to have had their fill of Gretna.

Mileson pulled off a major coup by getting Subway on board. It was the club's biggest sponsorship deal and at the time the owner pledged to invest in the squad to cope with the demands of the SPL.

Now, however, they are dangerously close to extinction, having received a crisis loan from the SPL to help them see out their league fixtures.

Today every member of the first-team squad could be axed if they refuse to take massive pay cuts.

Administrators Wilson Field will announce redundancies and Record Sport understands those players who remain will have to see out the season without bonus payments.

Caretaker manager and director of football Mick Wadsworth is waiting to learn his own fate but, if he remains in charge, he may only have youth players left to choose from.

Last night he said: "If the administrators are that draconian then being left with young lads would be the natural conclusion.

"I don't know what my own situation will be and I could well be out of a job.

"This has been tortuous for myself and the club and this administration could be unprecedented.

"Other clubs who face administration have assets and players they can sell but I don't know if we have that.

"I don't know how feasible it is to have youth players in place of the first team."

Sad to see the demise of a wee team universally liked in Scotland. Shame.

BOYCOTT SUBWAY! says 'Chopper'.

'Chopper' · 03-12-2008, 02:28 PM

The more I think about it the more I feel that Gretna should perhaps seek a voluntary 'demotion' and start afresh in the 3rd Division with their youth team. If they're so broke that they can't afford even knackered old pros (like me!) in the 1st Division and are forced to play their kids they're going to be relegated again, and again so why not bite the bullet and give the lads at least a fighting chance in a Division that's the poorest in terms of standards, finance and attendances.

If they did and the tables stayed as they are this is how it would work:

SPL
Relegated - Gretna

Division 1
Promoted [to SPL] - Hamilton
Relegated [to 2nd Division] - Stirling

Division 2
Promoted [to 1st Division] - Ross County
Relegated - [to 3rd Division] None

Division 3
Promoted [to 2nd Division] - East Fife (replaced by Gretna).

Would they attract any fans playing in the 3rd Division? Bear in mind that if every person in Gretna, yes, EVERY person, went to their home games they'd only get a 2,705 crowd! Their 'home' game at Fir Park against Dundee United a week or so ago attracted a total of just 501 paying fans, setting a new record low attendance at an SPL match! This number was also lower than the lowest attendance in the Scottish First Division this season to date!!

The average attendances for Third Division clubs for season 2006/07 were as follows:

Arbroath 730
Dumbarton 709
Queen's Park 590
Berwick Rangers 565
East Fife 546
Montrose 463
Stenhousemuir 461
Albion Rovers 431
Elgin City 423
East Stirlingshire 307

PompeyRules · 03-25-2008, 12:27 AM

It is a pity indeed. Gretna were the fairytale, and I was pleased to see them reach the SPL.

The money will dry up, and with no potential for a fanbase, they are just too high to cope anymore.

bournemouth10 · 03-25-2008, 02:24 PM

This guy is shit apparantly. Ohh i guess that's why he is moving to Gretna lol.

01-26-2008, 12:12 PM	#1 (permalink)
Catman VIP Member Supports: Sunderland Join Date: May 2007 Rating: Posts: 2,000	Gretna Gretna have completed a loan deal for Everton youngster John Paul Kissock, who joins the Black and Whites until the end of the season. The 18-year-old midfielder, a product of the Goodison Academy, has been with the Toffees since the age of seven and has worked his way through the youth system and into the reserve team. He has represented England at Under-16, Under-17 and Under-18 levels and has been on standby for the Under-19s. A quick-footed attacking midfielder, Kissock, who is contracted to Everton until 2009, was included by David Moyes in the travelling party for the UEFA Cup game against AZ Alkmaar a month ago. He will go straight into the squad for Saturday's SPL clash with Hibernian at Easter Road, subject to international clearance.

03-12-2008, 02:28 PM	#8 (permalink)
'Chopper' Amateur Supports: Heart of Midlothian FC Favourite Players: Roy Keane, Paulo Maldini Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Norwich, "a fine city" .... full of inbreds! Rating: Posts: 430	Voluntary demotion? The more I think about it the more I feel that Gretna should perhaps seek a voluntary 'demotion' and start afresh in the 3rd Division with their youth team. If they're so broke that they can't afford even knackered old pros (like me!) in the 1st Division and are forced to play their kids they're going to be relegated again, and again so why not bite the bullet and give the lads at least a fighting chance in a Division that's the poorest in terms of standards, finance and attendances. If they did and the tables stayed as they are this is how it would work: SPL Relegated - Gretna Division 1 Promoted [to SPL] - Hamilton Relegated [to 2nd Division] - Stirling Division 2 Promoted [to 1st Division] - Ross County Relegated - [to 3rd Division] None Division 3 Promoted [to 2nd Division] - East Fife (replaced by Gretna). Would they attract any fans playing in the 3rd Division? Bear in mind that if every person in Gretna, yes, EVERY person, went to their home games they'd only get a 2,705 crowd! Their 'home' game at Fir Park against Dundee United a week or so ago attracted a total of just 501 paying fans, setting a new record low attendance at an SPL match! This number was also lower than the lowest attendance in the Scottish First Division this season to date!! The average attendances for Third Division clubs for season 2006/07 were as follows: Arbroath 730 Dumbarton 709 Queen's Park 590 Berwick Rangers 565 East Fife 546 Montrose 463 Stenhousemuir 461 Albion Rovers 431 Elgin City 423 East Stirlingshire 307 __________________ There ARE two teams in Edinburgh, Hearts .......... and Hearts reserves!

03-25-2008, 02:24 PM	#10 (permalink)
bournemouth10 Youth Team Supports: Bournemouth Favourite Players: darren anderton,c.ronaldo Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: poole Rating: Not Rated Posts: 93	This guy is shit apparantly. Ohh i guess that's why he is moving to Gretna lol. __________________ [size="5"] we are going down and we know it!!

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02-19-2008, 11:02 PM	#3 (permalink)
Murphy Grassroots Supports: Sunderland Favourite Players: Daryl Murphy, Dickson Etuhu, Nyron Nosworthy Join Date: Feb 2008 Rating: Not Rated Posts: 25	They left because the owner is seriously ill in hospital and can't sign off the wage for everyone so nobody has been paid, Club going down the pan, they're off to Morton though, thats a fact, real shame though, Gretna has proved to be the fairytale of scottish football, would be nice for something similar in England, but without what looks to be a very bad season.

02-20-2008, 10:49 AM	#5 (permalink)
Murphy Grassroots Supports: Sunderland Favourite Players: Daryl Murphy, Dickson Etuhu, Nyron Nosworthy Join Date: Feb 2008 Rating: Not Rated Posts: 25	I doubt it Miles made his own money so he appreciates it more cos he knows what its like to have nothing and be a normal person. Most people born with a silver spoon in their mouth are just after money, passion and the love of something are nothing to people like that, they only love money Hope I am wrong

03-25-2008, 12:27 AM	#9 (permalink)
PompeyRules Grassroots Supports: Portsmouth Join Date: Mar 2008 Rating: Not Rated Posts: 5	It is a pity indeed. Gretna were the fairytale, and I was pleased to see them reach the SPL. The money will dry up, and with no potential for a fanbase, they are just too high to cope anymore.