Hards Times For Gretna

Last updated : 07 March 2008 By Ed_ScottishFitba

Gretna are in deep trouble and do not know how to dig themselves out. The whole club depends on the financial input from owner Brooks Mileson who is very ill at the moment. Club officials are to meet again today to see what can be done to maintain SPL status and see out their commitments to the end of the season. Caretaker boss Mick Wadsworth admitted last that the club was in serious financial trouble and could give no guarantees they would complete the season. Only a measly 501 fans turned up at Fir Park to watch their 3-0 loss to Dundee United which left them 11 points adrift at the bottom of the table. But First Division football is not the worst-case scenario as the ill health of owner Brooks Mileson has hit Gretna's finances. After a brief delay, payments to the players are up to date, but Mileson has been unable to fund the club since falling ill with a brain infection last month.

Wadsworth said: "
All we have done in the past few weeks is patch it up, but we are in a bit of a corner now. I'm worried about the immediate future. Brooks is very ill, we have no direct contact with Brooks. Everything is through Craig, his son, and it has been a tough call for Craig. We have got no financial assistance from that corner because Brooks is ill. If his illness is going to be long term then he has every right not to be worrying about a football club next season. What we do hope is that we can cobble it together to get through this season so there is a graceful withdrawal if necessary. But our major hope is that he gets better and picks up the reins again, because without him we are in a very difficult situation."

This fear of financial instability is nothing new to Wadsworth following similar experiences as assistant boss at Norwich in 1996 and at Huddersfield. He said: "
I was unfortunate to be manager at Huddersfield when the players weren't paid for three months. Some directors didn't understand why they weren't playing well. It's real tough time, I have been in this situation and it's really difficult. My concern is for the workforce and this group of players, because they have been magnificent. We haven't played well but they put a shift in. I cannot, cannot, cannot fault them because they have been magnificent and they have a great doubt in their minds as well."

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