Gretna move closer to extinction

Gretna's survival hopes are set to go to the wire as administrators seek a buyer for the crisis-hit club.

Saturday is the final day for interested parties to make an offer for the club who have finished at the foot of the Scottish Premier League.

Gretna chairman Ron McGregor said in midweek that he was hopeful that a late bid would materialise.

But officials at Gretna remain unsure whether the football club will continue to exist beyond the weekend.

The remaining staff still face the prospect of redundancy and have been called to an 1100BST meeting on Monday by administrators Wilson Field, where the club's fate will be announced.

Gretna have various creditors, including the Inland Revenue and local businesses, but few assets other than their Raydale Park stadium.

But local reports have indicated that the Glasgow-based football agent, Paul Davies, could make a firm bid.

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If an offer for the club is made, it will be put to the creditors, who will have to give it their backing.

It is understood that the administrators will not make any announcements over the weekend.

Gretna went into administration with debts of around £4m on 12 March after the club's unwell owner Brooks Mileson withdrew his financial support, which meant they were soon incurring unsustainable weekly losses.

Many players and coaches have already left the club, either through redundancy or after being released from their contracts.

Gretna played their last SPL fixture - a victory over Hearts - on Tuesday evening.

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