There were no winners when Brooks Mileson turned the financial tap off to Gretna and the SPL don't want to see a similar situation happen again.

The SPL were caught out by the financial problems that enveloped Grenta and led to their demise after just one season in the top flight. The danger of a single source of financial support proved an ineffective model to maintain. The SPL board, therefore, have agreed to obtain additional financial assurances from member clubs to help avoid a repeat of the embarrassing debacle. The SPL were obliged to release funds to Gretna last season to enable them complete their season's obligations after going into administration in March.

SPL forwarded funds temporarily to support the ailing club on more than one occasion after they lost the financial help of owner Brooks Mileson who died recently. Mileson had poured money into the small town side and watched it move from the Third Division to the top flight in quick succession. The speed of success was perhaps part of Grenta's problem as they did not have time to broaden the financial support all clubs need. The new controls are designed to help make sure no other member of the SPL is in such a precarious position. A working group has been developing financial criteria and their recommendations will be put to the clubs in January. SPL secretary Iain Blair said: "The new criteria will require all member clubs to provide additional financial information to the SPL prior to each season. No system of this nature is foolproof but our aim is to ensure that all our clubs have the financial stability needed to complete any given season."

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