gretnascotty

Thoroughly deserved win for Gretna on Saturday, best overall performance i’ve seen for 2 seasons! The passing was as good as i’ve seen from us. Stand outs were Iain Anderson (unplayable all afternoon) Robbie Ivison and Alex Potts, but to be honest the whole team were excellent to a man! I’m not making excuses for the team but considering we didn’t have a single player on the books back in June, we’ve been incredibly unlucky with injuries to key players. Its now great to see us have a consistent starting 11 & the boys now have a bit of confidence to go on! Always tough away from home but much more optimistic of us getting a result at Stirling Uni than i would have been if we had of lost on Saturday.

We definitely deserved the win on Saturday, probably the best overall performance i’ve seen at Raydale for the past 2 season’s. We’ve been incredibly unlucky since the summer with a number of bad injuries to key players but we’re finally seeing as close to our strongest 11 on the park now. Broomhill had chances but we weathered a couple of storms before and after half time & there was only side winning the game in the last 20 mins. Hopefully we can kick on and get some more positive results in the coming weeks. All the best though boys!

Was at the game at Raydale on Saturday and but for 2 glaring errors from the Gretna Keeper we would have beaten them, and Gretna have been shite in 2023. Was stood close to the OG dugout and was amazed how petulant Ferry was, Lyle looked more like the manager, Slaney was in the stand with the hood up, when he walked along past us just before HT a fan approached him maybe ever so slightly too enthusiastic and was met by Slaney telling him to get the f**k out of his face. After the FT whistle the whole management team were gone in cars mere minutes after the game, didn’t stop for the post match refreshment’s whatsoever. Quite surprised how unprofessional both Si and Slaney came across, very much big time Charlies, now this announcement today, clearly not working out and rather than work through things, its down tools and leave the club in the lurch. Poor from all involved!

4 wins on the spin for Gretna now, unheard of in recent years! I missed our cup win a fortnight ago, but watched us at Dalbeattie, Gala during the week & Tranent yesterday, so refreshing to see virtually the same 11 on the park week in week out, playing some good football & yesterday we were tactically spot on, gameplan was executed perfectly. There are still question marks over who is financing some of the players etc but its just good to be back to winning & performing well again. Long may it continue!

Another massive win for Gretna last night, 3 in a row in all competitions. 2 players signed from Bonnyrigg are making all the difference, a bit concerning where the money is coming from considering off the park is still a shambles but the football is certainly becoming much better to watch! Controlled the game 2nd half after being a bit below par first half, thoroughlly deserved the 3 points. Next up Tranent at home on saturday, tough game, but if we continue to play as we are we will give them a game & have a good chance of taking points from them.

There is plenty of local talent but i would look closer to home as to why there are none playing for Gretna! We've had quite a few players from Cumbria playing for us since the club was founded, a number of these players i would call club legends think we're an absolute shambles and have done for a few seasons now, Dean Rea, John Jardine, Sam Atkinson to name a few have said this on social media. Robbie Ivison, Gretna's player of the season last season was asked to play for someone else during the summer, he turned the club down as he said he was happy at Gretna, only to be told weeks later that there was no place for him at the club and he wasn't wanted because the club had a new squad of players (see mcindoe & his Edinburgh based boys) We were told at a fans forum in June that the club had a list of local players they were in the process of signing, we were also told by the manager directly that we would be training twice a week from Raydale when the club itself had other ideas. The fans are told what we want to hear by lies from the hierarchy who clearly had plans to bring a squad of players in via Mcindoe & they would train out of Edinburgh (something it seems was news to Hatfield) we were seemingly to bring in 3 players from south west scotland to appease the supporters. My question to the club now is what happens if McIndoe decides at the end of the season he's had enough? He takes HIS squad with him, who are the club to turn to if/when this happens? I can't see any player in the local area wanting to play for Gretna 2008.

Yes there are 3 players from south west scotland & the others are all based in the edinburgh area and train once a week up there.

Exactly! And when the players are training only once a week up in Edinburgh and the manager is down here how do you possibly coach players when you spend an hour with them before a game on a matchday.

He's in a relationship with a local girl & they have just had a baby, i believe he moved to the area because of this but not sure how the club found him. Seems a good guy but i think the lack of knowledge on players has hindered him. Speaking to him at a fans forum back in May he spoke well & seemed to think he'd be working with the players & training locally, but clearly McIndoe had other ideas. While i don't know the reason's, i'd guess that Hatfield stepped down to not being able to work with the players properly. Can't be any excuses now, The man who brought in the personnel is now managing them!

Exactly, i called it before the season started although i gave Hatfield until at least Halloween Can read the club hierarchy like a book, he'll get the job permantely before the month is out.

Yes mate, also the same chairman who has been here 6 season's and has had 6 managers come and go. Currently have an ex pro Michael Mcindoe, he is assistant manager, technical director, has brought the players in and supplies the bus for the players to travel down on, he will be the next manager imo. Just google the guy and you'll see why i have concerns.

When we gained entry into the East of Scotland league following the demise of Gretna FC we were quickly labelled with an "arrogant" tag, something which took maybe a couple of years to shake off but a small band of volunteers & supporters worked hard to show that we were just the same as every other club at this level, a hardworking, passionate & good bunch of people that care about their football club & trying to represent the club in a positive light (albeit with a few bumps in the road along the way) that we did eventually gain the respect of our fellow league clubs. As one of the founding members of the lowland league, i think we have been well respected by everyone, that is until maybe the past 4/5 seasons. It pains me to admit it, but the people associated with the club now have dragged it down into the gutter so to speak, the treatment of several staff members, supporters & passionate volunteers has led to the majority walking away from the football club. We used to take easily 100 fans+ to away games, now your lucky if we get half a dozen! The actions of Ben Spelman yesterday were nothing short of pathetic. I don't know the guy but outwith a couple of players, there is no relationship between the playing staff & supporters. We are in a very bad place right now and i honestly don't know where the club goes from here. I really hope you're opinion on Gretna 2008 changes but as i said its hard to defend some of the people that currently represent the club. Hope to bump into a few of you's in the return fixture for a pint or 2, there are still a few of us very welcoming & hospitable

Cracking draw for Gretna, although the team we beat 7-2 earlier this season will be much changed for the cup i'm sure. Still i fancy us to come through that & hopefully earn a good tie in the following round.

Myself and 3 friends made the trip over to Berwick which is always a cracking ground to visit, quite disappointing that we seemed to be the only away fans there though, as i certainly didn't recognise any familiar faces. Our playing squad is a completely changed one, only one player from last season has survived, according to our chairman we have 6 first team players injured, who they are is anyone's guess as communication between the club and support is severely lacking, so who knows if we will improve drastically or not. We have signed a host of players based in Edinburgh but on the evidence from yesterdays game & Stirling Uni last saturday its clear our best player is Russell Currie. As for the game, Currie dominated the first half, i thought Berwick struggled with him and 2-0 flattered us at half time, Currie missed an open goal very early on and we should have really been 3 or 4 up at HT. Unfortunately for us that's the best it got for us as we didn't turn up 2nd half! Despite a good comeback from Berwick we competely capitulated after half time. Not impressed with anyone in the back 4 and i've seen that keeper ship 2 goals against Stirling Uni & was hugely at fault for Berwick's winner! Slighty more encouraging though that we are creating chances but Edinburgh Uni next saturday has already become a 6 pointer! All in all a somewhat enjoyable away trip. Thanks to Berwick for the great hospitality in the bar & lounge at Half Time, see you's at Raydale in February

Maybe a good job there isn’t a stream available, Think we’ll struggle big time this season.

Do you guys have a live stream for the game? (Heard some teams were doing something like that) Or is just highlights available at a later date?

Great news coming out from the club this evening that the gaffer Rowan Alexander is staying for at least another season. I don't think you can judge the guy on what he did coming in midway through the season, had to practically bring players in very short notice and get them to play his style of play, add to the fact that all those storms postponed a number of games and now Covid-19, it will be good for Rowan to start to assemble his squad for the new season whenever that maybe.

I always knew we would beat the drop!

With the mention of contingency plans for the teams due to come into the lowland league, does anyone think the league would introduce 2 Divisions next season? A Lowland Premier & Division One. I’m not completely clued up on the West Junior team’s situation but would be a good time to expand possibly.

Deuchar played for Gretna FC not Gretna FC 2008

WIth everything going on in the world and Football taking a back seat i’m sure you’ll have seen all these best elevens on Social Media whether it be best current side, best of all time, best of all time for your club. So here is my best ever eleven for Gretna 2008. Gretna 2008 Best Eleven Goalkeeper - Graham Wright Defender - Ryan Errington Defender - Dean Rea Defender - John Jardine Defender - Curtis Wood Midfield - Brandon Longcake Midfield - Steven Rudd Midfield - Adam Main Midfield - Dan Carmichael Forward - Ian Anderson Forward - Tony Nicholson Subs Johnny Jamieson Nikki White Alan Inglis Ian Cummersky Joseph Slattery David Renyard Gavin Reilly Phil Storey Manager - Kenny Brown

Who told you about Carmichael? Thought it was strange how they had his name on the teamsheet last week, your supposed to put trialist unless the player has signed

Thoughts from yesterday’s game; Our best performance of the season (certainly from the games i have been to) Every player that played deserves praise for their performance. Best team on the pitch by a mile, one error at the back cost us another deserved 3 points. Dominated for long periods, it was nice to see us finally get the ball down and pass it, we were playing the ball down the wings & there were some really good interchanges between the full backs and wingers. Deano broke the ball up superbly in the middle all game and Lussaint really ran them ragged through the middle, he has a really good first touch & has good feet for a big guy. Renyard seemed to be playing all along the forward line, he caused their defence problems all day and was really unlucky not to score. Smales had an off day in front of goal but he linked well with Renyard at times, he missed two great chances in both half’s and we really should have been out of site by the time they equalised. Defence all played their part too, Gilly brings plenty of experience, Jack Hunter was immense & young Jack Patrick did really well at RB, Jake Smith had a really good game on the left as well. Thought everyone did their bit and it’s something we can really build on in the coming weeks! Quick mention for Dan Wadge, played his last game for us yesterday and is on his way travelling to Australia this week, good luck mate and thanks for your efforts over the past few years, you’ll be missed! Also can anyone (preferably at the club) shed any light on Dan Carmichael? Included by name last week (not down as a trialist) but knowhere to be seen this week and no mention from the club if he’s signed or not! Be a great addition & a welcome return!

Seeing all these “Team of the Decade” posts on twitter got me thinking who would make our team.........For someone that can remember our original 08 squad there are plenty i can choose from but what does everyone else think? Could do with a few of the strikers of the past at the moment! I’ll post my team at some point this week

This was always going to happen as soon as the previous management team had left. All the players travelling from Manchester, Birmingham etc were never going to stay at the club after Chris's departure. We had some players away last weekend that are still at the club. Dan Wadge i believe is going travelling to OZ in the new year and that was going to happen with or without Chris at the helm. As you say transitional period and i would have faith in Rowan to start bringing players in over the next few games and into the new year. Regardless of how you felt about the previous management team you have to move on, Jon Foley sticking the boot in on social media does not surprise me one bit after what i heard about him at the forum. Good Riddance!