Club Update

Gretna FC 2008 NEW BOARD MEMBERS:

Chairman: Alex Thomson
Club Secretary: Kevin Smith
Board:

Brian Hall
Alan Little
Tom Graham
Jason Hampson
Alison Hampson
Patrick Flannery
Colin Carter
Matt Le Tissier – Honorary Member.
Stadium and Ground Operations – Tom Graham
We have a ground maintenance team who meet at the ground every Tuesday and Thursday – weather permitting.
The team consists of several members including Tom Graham, Father Bob Dent, Young Bob Dent, Jock Hume and Ian Beattie.
The aim is to carry out remedial/improvement tasks at Raydale Park.
A ground survey was carried out earlier in the year and the report highlighted 28 tasks needing attention to enable the club to gain its Safety Certificate from Dumfries and Galloway Council.
To date the team have carried out 19 of these tasks and the club has successfully received its Certificate.
Some of the tasks are long term projects and hopefully these will be carried out when the weather improves.
The ground maintenance team are always looking for more help and volunteers are encouraged to contact Tom Graham.

Match day and Safety Operations – Jason Hampson

Turnstile Operators: Julian Oliver / Cameron Shiels
Ground Safety Stewards: Michael Davidson / Nicky Rome
Match Day Secretary: Kevin Smith
Match Day Treasurer: Natalie Davidson
PR Announcer/Programme Editor: Ian Richmond
Match Day Hospitality: Kath Benson
Catering: Eileen Norman / Alison Graham
Bar Manageress: Christine Williamson
Kitchen Catering: Alison Hampson
Match Day Raffles: Bob Dent
Boardroom Representatives: Ron and Helen McGregor
Website Manager: Jim Rowley
SFA Club Licence Compliance Officer: Sandra Bowdon.
Groundsman: Mark Whitworth.
In November, Alison Hampson successfully obtained our Health and Hygiene Certificate for catering from Dumfries and Galloway Council.
We are always looking for more help and volunteers; so if you feel you could support the club please contact Jason Hampson.
In 2016 we will be launching a Floodlight Appeal due to the ever increasing problems we are having and any help & ideas would be much appreciated.



Commercial Operations
A Race Night was planned for early December but due to the adverse weather conditions in and around the region we had to cancel the event. A new date has been confirmed for the 30th January 2016.First Race at 7pm.
The Bottle Draw will be held on the 30th January 2016 and draw ticket sheets are still available from Alison Hampson.
We have a night with the ever popular Ashleigh Wood confirmed for the 20th February 2016 and tickets priced at £3 will be available soon.
Various other events are in the early stages of confirmation and when confirmed we will be releasing the events and dates.
Football Operations

Manager – Stuart Rome
Assistant Manager – Barry Graham
Coaches - Nikki White and Paddy Flannery
Physio – Megan Alexander
Kit Manager – Tom Graham
Selkirk FC 1 Gretna FC 2008 5 – Lowland League
A very good team performance from Gretna in a game that was very entertaining. Vinnie Parker pulled off some crucial saves at important stages in the game.
Our goal scorers were – Anderson 3, Liddell and Danny Graham.
Glasgow University 2 Gretna FC 2008 1 – South of Scotland Cup
Gretna FC 2008 totally dominated the game and our possession of the ball with and without was excellent but unfortunately we couldn’t find the net and like everyone knows you only win games of football by scoring. We were caught cold by two set plays which was very disappointing and the reaction from the home side after the game was of disbelief “How did we win that game”.
But as the score confirms they scored two and we could only score one and that is what wins you games of football.
Our goal scorer was Connor Liddell.
Stirling University FC 3 Gretna FC 2008 1 - Lowland League
This game for long periods was dominated by the home team; it wasn't until they scored their third goal that we put together a good spell of football and pulled a goal back. In that period the home goalkeeper pulled off several tremendous saves.
Stirling University are the best side that we have played away from home all season and are sure to be title contenders.
In the final minute of the game Dean Crozier was sent off for a second bookable offence.
The Gretna goal scorer was Connor Liddell.
East Kilbride FC 4 Gretna FC 2008 1 - Lowland League
Gretna were missing several key players for this game due to work commitments and suspension – Parker, Casey, Atkinson, Reid, Jardine and Crozier.
The home side were dominant for long periods of the game and deserved their win.
The Gretna goal scorer was Iain Anderson.
Injuries – We have Brandon Longcake out injured long term with knee problems.
He has just had the results from his MRI Scan confirmed that he has Ligament and Cartilage damage that requires a consultation with an Orthopaedic Surgeon to confirm his next course of treatment for the injuries.
Transfers – Scott Milligan has been transferred to St. Cuthbert Wanderers FC; we have thanked Scott for his contributions to the club and we wish him well.

January Home Fixtures:
January 2nd: BSC Glasgow FC- Lowland League at 3pm.
January 9th: Edinburgh University FC- Lowland League at 3pm.
January 23rd: Gala Fairydean Rovers FC- East of Scotland Qual Cup Quarter Final at 3pm.
January 30th: Selkirk FC- Lowland League at 3pm.
We would like to wish all our Gretna FC 2008 Supporters Society members and club supporters a very Happy New Year.
Thank you all for your valued and continued support.

Tomorrows Game Postponed

Tomorrows home game v Edinburgh City has been postponed due to a waterlogged pitch

Tonights Race Night Cancelled

Due to deteriorating travel conditions the difficult decision has been made to cancel tonight's planned Race Night. We would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused but we have to be mindful of the safety of our supporters, many of whom travel long distances to support us.

We hope to rearrange the Race Night for a later date.

Many thanks for your continued support.

Todays Game Postponed But Race Night Still On

Todays Game has been postponed due to a waterlogged pitch but our Race Night still goes a ahead in the Wee Bar at 7.00pm. after a course inspection reported the Wee Bar going as Firm with good to soft in places.

TREASURY URGED TO GIVE TAX BREAKS TO COMMUNITY OWNED SPORTS CLUBS

*** Clubs deliver more than £125,000 of volunteering a year – report ***

Democratically owned sports clubs could bring a big net benefit to the local economy if they were given tax breaks, a new report from Supporters Direct argues.
The proposal recommends creating a new tax status for democratically owned clubs that meet strict criteria, including reinvesting surpluses and protecting assets for community use.
Clubs would benefit from Gift Aid on donations, receive 80% rate relief and have exemption
from Corporation Tax.
If adopted it would be a landmark in the development of democratic ownership of sport in this country and make a step change that will help community owned clubs overcome many of the barriers they face.
The report will be launched at an MPs’ briefing in Westminster this afternoon, which will bring together MPs, leading sports bodies and sports clubs and will feature an address from Jesse Norman MP, the chair of the Culture, Media and Sport Select.   
James Mathie from Supporters Direct said, “With the right model, sports clubs can be central hubs of delivering benefits in their community – and community ownership provides added value that other forms of ownership cannot. We believe it’s time to help clubs that embrace democratic ownership, binding community benefit functions, and protect sports assets.”
Adam Brown from Substance, an architect of the proposal and the research behind it said:
“We have demonstrated the very significant value that supporter and community ownership
can bring in terms of public benefit. The proposed tax changes would be cost effective and enable existing community owned clubs to be more sustainable, increasing the public good they deliver. We have shown that this applies beyond football into lots of other sports.”
The proposal will also be addressed by the Governments Expert Working Group on Football Ownership and Engagement which will be published in January 2016.

Bottle Draw

Gretna FC (2008) are running their annual Bottle Draw which will be drawn on 30/01/2016 at the Gretna v Selkirk game, if anyone would like to donate a bottle or sell a square sheet please contact Alison Hampson on 07999 249851

Home tie for the Black & Whites

Gretna FC (2008) have secured a home tie against Gala Fairydean Rovers in the East of Scotland Cup. The tie which will be played on Saturday December 5th at Raydale will be a welcome change as it will be our first home cup tie for a long time.

Scott Milligan has signed for St Cuthbert Wanderers. The South of Scotlands 3rd placed team who are 13 points behind league leaders Edusport Academy but with 6 games in hand will be looking for Milligan's scoring touch to help them win the league and hopefully promotion. Scott joined Gretna early last season and had an immediate impact along with Iain Anderson who both scored goals for fun, we would like to thank Scott for his services to the club and wish him well with his new club.

Race Night Cancelled

Saturday's Race Night at The Hazeldene has been cancelled.

Todays Games Postponed

Todays Game v Cumbernauld Colts has been postponed due to a waterlogged pitch

Pitch Inspection

There will be a pitch inspection at 10.00am tomorrow morning due to heavy rain.

Liddell opens his account as Gretna beat Selkirk 5 - 1

By Paul Brecken

Gretna FC - 2008 travelled to Selkirk F.C. in search of another valuable 3 points.
With both teams having a very mixed start to the season as 3 points was all that separated them in the league with Selkirk 7th and Gretna 9th it should have been a close run thing.
The game started with Selkirk having the better of the opening play and could easily have been 2 up inside 15 minutes with a number of early chances along with Phil Addison firing high over the bar from the penalty spot. Then disaster for Selkirk as Gretna took the lead against the run of play, Connor Liddell quickest to react as he pounced onto a poor back pass and easily rounded the keeper to fire home. After this setback Selkirk had more chances and Vinnie Parker in the Gretna goal was busiest of the keepers as he pulled of a number of good saves to keep Gretna ahead.
Half time and Gretna held onto that slender 1 goal lead

Into the 2nd half and Gretna double their lead minutes after the restart. Another mistake in the Selkirk defence cost them as Iain Anderson picked up the ball and rounded the keeper to fire home. 2-0. This just wasn't to be Selkirk's day as they were reduced to 10 men soon after. Gretna made the most of the extra man as they fired in 2 more quick goals, Iain Anderson struck again just inside the area and this was followed up by Danny Graham who's shot took a nasty deflection as it beat the keeper. Selkirk should be given some credit as they never gave up and played some decent football at times. The game eventually came to a close with Iain Anderson completing his hat trick and Gretna's 5th just before Gary OConner fired home a very late Selkirk consolation.
So Gretna take away a valuable 3 points, but Selkirk may feel they were unlucky as the score line didn't really tell the whole story.

Special General Meeting

Notice is hereby given that a SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING of the Gretna Supporters Society Ltd will be held at Raydale Park, Gretna on Thursday the 5^th November at 7:30pm.
The meeting is open to members of Gretna Supporters Society Ltd incorporating Gretna Football Club 2008.
Only fully paid members of the society are entitled to vote.
Business to be dealt with is to elect the Society Board. Due to the resignation of various elected board members over the past 3 months, there are no elected board members serving the membership.
The constitution states that the board must consist of not less than 5, with at least 3 members elected by the membership on the board.

Garry O'Connor takes charge at Selkirk

THE striker has played with Selkirk since leaving Morton and has replaced Steve Forrest as boss of the Lowland League club.

FORMER Hibs star Garry O'Connor has been named caretaker manager of Lowland League side Selkirk.
The striker has been a player at Selkirk since 2014 and replaces Steve Forrest who was relieved of his duties yesterday.

 

Garry O'Connor (right) celebrates for hibs in 2005

His first match in charge will see him come up against Gretna 2008 on Saturday with his side sitting seventh in the Lowland League table.
The 32-year-old had been tipped to be one of the best strikers of his generation when he made the breakthrough at Hibs but his career took a downward turn after he joined Lokomotiv Moscow in 2006 with a further spell at Hibs coming between time at Birmingham, Barnsley, Tom Tomsk and Greenock Morton.

Selkirk v Gretna Saturday 31st October 2015

Bus Times for away day supporters on Saturday 31st October is as follows:
 
Carlisle 11.00am
Gretna 11.15am

To reserve your seat on the bus at a cost of £5.00 please contact Stuart Rome on 07770 494824

Meet Gretna Supporter Alan Chichester, Michican, USA

Alan Chichester is 35 years old and lives in Michigan, which makes him something of a "Borderer" in his own right. He began following Scottish football in 2008.  Gretna's plight immediately caught his attention, and he became horrified by the idea of a club with 60+ years of history going to the wall.  As supporters endeavored to save football in the town, it was natural for him to continue following the new club. Alan said  One couldn't help but be inspired by the effort to rebuild a club again after reaching (and falling from) such a great height, It hasn't been easy following a non-league Scottish club from America, but some personal highlights have included: the EoSL promotion season, the East of Scotland Cup victory over Berwick, formation of (and election to) the Lowland League, and the return to the Scottish Cup.

Closer to home Alan has enjoyed wearing his Gretna top to his state's Scottish cultural festival (and getting some puzzled looks), and having a laugh on FIFA by building Gretna into a two-time Champions League winner.
I'm proud to be a season ticket holder for 2015-16, and although my first visit to Raydale is still probably a long way off, I'm very happy to support the club in some small way.  My hope is that the club continues to be ambitious but sustainable.  My dream is another promotion campaign and the return of league football to Raydale!

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Next Home Game

Our next Home Game will be on Saturday 7th November against the League's new boys Cumberland Colts and the Match Day Sponsor will be The Gretna Inn.

Welcome to The Gretna Inn

Occupying an imposing position directly opposite the entrance to the Gretna Gateway Shopping Village, the Gretna Inn is a family run, family friendly pub that provides gastro-style food for travellers and weary shoppers in an informal, relaxed atmosphere.

The Gretna Inn is also a popular reception venue for smaller, less formal weddings at Gretna & Gretna Green. With a number of comfortable letting rooms and dining facilities, we are able to cater for receptions with up to 50 wedding guests

www.gretnainn.co.uk

Saturday 17th Lowland League Round Up

Saturday 17th October 2015

The South Challenge Cup, First Round North & East Zone

Burntisland Shipyard 4 Selkirk 5
Gala Fairydean Rovers 1 Heriot-Watt University 2
Hawick Royal Albert 1 Lothian Thistle HV 4
Coldstream 2 Ormiston 3
Eyemouth United 1 Edinburgh University 7
Duns 4 Craigroyston 1
Peebles Rovers 0 Spartans 2
 
Ferrari Packaging Lowland League

BSC Glasgow 2 Vale of Leithen 1
University of Stirling 3 Whitehill Welfare 1
Dalbeattie Star 1 Edinburgh City 0
Preston Athletic 2 East Kilbride 0

Mid Annandale 2 - Gretna FC (2008) 4

A misfiring Gretna side had an early left off when Mids hit the upright with the Gretna rearguard posted missing and Parker rooted to his line. This did not serve as a warning as minutes later the home side took advantage of poor defending to open the scoring with Parker left exposed at the back.
The visitors drew level through Anderson after a goalmouth scramble midway through the first half. The home side were then were gifted a second when a mix up between Parker and Inglis managed to allow Mids forward to guide the ball into the empty net. H/T 2-1.
The second half was barely a minute old when Milligan latched onto a cross by Smith to steer home the equaliser.
Gretna dominated the remainder of the game with substitute Atkinson putting the hoops into the lead for the first time on the night and Milligan converting a penalty sealed the result after Atkinson was brought down.
F/T 2-4.
Gretna face Glasgow Uni away in next round.
Doug Branney

Congratulations

Gretna FC (2008) would like to congratulate both Nikki & Carly on the birth or their baby daughter.
Tilly May White was born at 2.06am this morning and weighed in at 8lbs 7oz and we are delighted that both mother & baby are doing well.

AGM Rescheduled

The Annual General Meeting has been rescheduled for Wednesday 18th November at 7.00pm. I apologise if this causes any inconvenience but I have an appointment which I cannot rearrange and as I am currently the only elected member of the board it is imperative I be there to chair the meeting.

New Player Joins Gretna

Gretna FC (2008) are pleased to announce that Daniel Wadge has joined us on loan from Annan Athletic until the new year. Defender Dan is a product of the Club Academy Scotland programme and made his SPFL league debut in April 2015 when he came on as a second half substitute in the thrilling 5-4 win away to Elgin City. Daniel who is just 17 years old has already made 18 appearances for Annan since he signed with them in July 2014. Other player news is that Midfielder Sean Law has been released.

Overseas Supporters

Meet Dejan Kovacevic from Croatia.

Dejan who works in financial services has supported Gretna FC (2008) since it's birth in 2008 and he truly is fanatical about the club, he recently purchased a home jersey along with other merchandice and was one of the first to buy the book In Black and White. Dejan who lives in Zadar, Croatia started supporting the old Gretna in 2002 and admired players like Kenny Deuchar and Chris Innes and when the club reformed in 2008 it was only natural he would continue to support them.

Vale of Leithen 1 Gretna FC (2008) 1

Gretna brought their 3 game losing streak to an end with a 1 - 1 draw at Vale but had to wait until the 67th minute to salvage a point. Gretna again without key players due to injury and suspensions made hard work of it in front of the opposition goal missing a string of chances and found themselves 1 - 0 down at half time after McLeod opened the scoring on 26 minutes for the home side. The second half was much the same until Vale lost a player after being shown a red card and shortly afterwards Anderson scored the equalizer. The result sees Gretna drop 1 place to 9th in the table below Dalbeattie Star who trounced Threave Rovers 7 - 1 in the local derby.





Full round up of all todays results.

Cumbernauld Colts 1-1 East Kilbride
Dalbeattie Star 7-1 Threave Rovers
Edinburgh City 1-0 Spartans
Edinburgh University 0-1 University of Stirling
Selkirk 2-1 Gala Fairydean Rovers
Vale of Leithen 1-1 Gretna 2008
Whitehill Welfare 3-0 Preston Athletic

Download Anton Hodge's new book In Black and White

Gretna football club’s rapid rise was breathtaking. Bankrolled by millionaire Brooks Mileson, it looked like the only way was up. Elected to the Scottish Third Division in 2002, the club won three successive promotions, reached the Premier League, featured in the Scottish Cup Final and earned the right to play in the UEFA Cup.

It all came crashing down when Mileson’s funds dried up. Within months, creditors circled the dying club, which was dissolved in 2008. The fall was as spectacular as the rise.

Yet that was not the end for football in this plucky border town. Gretna FC 2008 – a new, community-based club – rose like a phoenix from the ashes.

Written by the first chairman of Gretna 2008, In Black and White traces the astonishing story of Gretna FC in the Mileson era and provides an insider’s account of the rebirth of Gretna football.

Click Here to download the book via Amazon

Annan duo join Gretna on loan

Connor Liddell and Dan Wood

Annan Athletic duo Dan Wood and Connor Liddell have joined Gretna FC (2008) on loan until the end of the season. Dan who was previousley on loan with us last season can play anywhere in defence. Connor Liddell is a 17 year old striker who has pace and leads the attack well, both will be in tomorrows squad for the visit of Gala Fairydean Rovers.

Gretna FC (2008) Youth Academy

Gretna Youth Academy were presented with their new strips by sponsors Annan Travel, Envirocare and Peacock Developments, to learn more watch the videos and see what the sponsors had to say when they spoke to Ian Richmond.

Formartine United 3 v 1 Gretna FC 2008

William Hill Scottish Cup

Saturday 26^th September

A depleted Gretna FC 2008 side were no match for the Highland League leaders in this William Hill Scottish Cup first round clash.

Nonetheless the Gretna lads stuck to their task bravely and at half time it was all square despite Formartine having the bulk of the play. Scott Barbour opened the scoring for the home side in 12 minutes but Dean Smith restored the balance just before half time.

The second half was more evenly balanced but Johnny Crawford restored the advantage for Formartine on the hour mark. As Gretna strove to get back on terms the referee awarded a penalty to the Highland side which Garry Wood put away to settle matters.

Formartine United: Reid, McVitie, Dinwall, McKeown, Crawford, Lawson, Rodger, Anderson, Keith, Wood, Barbour Subs Gauld, French, Bagshaw, Auten, Michie, Barton

Gretna FC 2008: Parker, Atkinson, Milligan, Croziewr, Longcake, Casey, Douglas, D Graham, Inglis, Addison,  Smith Subs C Graham, Law, Reid, White, Murray