Gretna fans expecting tearful finale

May 13 2008 The Journal

GRETNA fans’ chief Craig Williamson has predicted tearful scenes at the end of what could be the stricken club’s last game tonight.

Hope still remains, however, that an 11th-hour buyer will come in to save the Scottish Premier League side, who are on the verge of going out of business.

The Black and Whites, who are already relegated, play Hearts in their last game of the season at Fir Park.

The administrators who are running the crisis club have set a Saturday deadline for any takeover bid.

Williamson, chairman of the Gretna Supporters Society, insists he still remains positive they will be saved but admits emotions will run high among the club’s most loyal fans.

He said: “It will be a sad occasion. I’m sure some of the more emotional fans will have a tear in their eyes. You always have that feeling it is going to be the last time you are ever going to see Gretna.

“It is obviously going to be their last game in the SPL but it will be a really sad occasion if this is the last ever game that Gretna Football Club play.

“The worst thing about it is that it is on a Tuesday night. I know people who have followed the club all season to every home and away game and they have to work and will not make it. I am hopeful that someone will come in at the last minute. When Carlisle United were in administration they had no bids for the club until the morning and it was all sorted out by midday. These things always happen at the last minute.”

David Elliot, of insolvency experts Wilson Field, set a deadline of Saturday after meeting with creditors who are owed £4m by Gretna – who were plunged into crisis by the illness and subsequent withdrawal of funds of millionaire backer Brooks Mileson.

He said four parties were interested in the club, including one from America and one from Australia. Gretna supporters hope any takeover will keep the club in Gretna and playing in the Scottish Football League. Doubt has been cast over the ownership of Gretna’s ground, Raydale Park, which is their only asset and is valued at £800,000.

It was suggested the stadium was owned by the local community but the administrator insists legal documents show it is the property of Gretna FC.

Williamson added: “If the ground was sold to someone for a development outside football we would certainly focus on the ownership issue to see if it has been handled correctly.”