I have no sympathy for the club, its official or Brooks Mileson but I do spare a thought for the long term Gretna fans. Not the glory hunters but the guys who supported them all through their minor leagues, etc - maybe for a lifetime. Guys like Gretna Ed who posted on here.

I'm a Morton supporter and we came within the skin of our teeth of ceasing to exist and it would have been like losing a member of the family. I think most of us can imagine what they are feeling.

So sympathy to the Gretna fans but there plenty of room at Cappielow. I suspect even the Doonhamers would welcome you if you don't make too much of your previous life!

Wrong forum and why start yet another thread?

Plans are there to re-form and hopefully we can. Other teams I look at such as AFC Telford, AFC Wimbledon, FC United who are newly formed have all been quite successful and despite what some people say there is a big interest in Gretna FC from the community.

I've followed them for 10 years and been a regular since 5 years ago when Brooks first came on the scene
. The first year was okay and we finished third in the league which considering our budget was a bit disappointing. Since then it's been a dream, sadly that's all though and dreams never last. 99% of Gretna fans knew it wouldn't last but what I hoped for was that we could get to the SPL, maybe stay there a year or two and then drop back to the 1st division and then in time to the 2nd division. I think we could have established ourselves in the 2nd division and been sustainable there given time.

Brooks had the funds but too much of it was wasted and I think he tried to go too big too soon. There was no business plan, no structure and frankly no idea of how to run a football club by anyone. Business is business and Brooks was successful at that but football is a whole different ball game (pardon the pun) It's sad as he really is ill and has been for some time but the way he just pulled out and has hidden away is what riles me and most other fans. He knew 2 years ago what state his 'business empire' was in so why didn't he just gently lessen the amount of investement in the club and ease the LOSS column down a wee bit then, rather than waiting until halfway through the SPL season and then withdrawing completely? I and many others would have had far more respect for him had he admitted ''I can't keep on funding Gretna like this and I will have to start putting less in''

Don't kid yourself that he's totally skint though, he's still got plenty to see him to the end of his days and his family. He could have saved us himself had he wanted to but the fact is that he didn't.

Any other team in our position would have accepted him into the club and don't say you wouldn't because you're lying. We weren't great financially when he arrived and he was a dream come true. The last 4 years have been special but would I give them back in order to have a stable club struggling along in the 3rd division? Too damn right I would.

So what now for the club with Raydale Park about to seized to pay the creditors. I heard the club may try and reform and get into the Northern Alliance League but where will they play. Perhaps Carlisle or Brampton.

A lot of things have been said on here about the club. I had many good times across at Raydale Park in the late 80s when they were in Northern league and I bet the late Iain Dalgleish who was Chairman for years will be turning in his grave at what has happened as well as feeling very sad for Mick McCartney who served the club for years as manager during it's non-league days. The Gretna I knew back in the Northern League and during it's Unibond League days was a very hospitable and friendly club.

Sorry, but there is a dedicated Gretna thread in 'Misc Other Football', and as this one is covering no new ground, I'm gonnae close it.

Here's the link to the other one.

Gretna Clicky