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.