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Chance for Spartans as Gretna quit league



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Published Date: 03 June 2008
GRETNA FC today resigned from the Scottish Football League, leaving a vacancy in the Third Division.
Capital club Spartans are favourites to fill Gretna's position with fellow East of Scotland league club Preston Athletic also thought to be among several clubs vying for SFL status.

The SFL have set a deadline of Thursday, June 12 for prospective
new clubs to apply for membership. An SFL management committee will then visit each applicant club by Friday, June 27.

Gretna, in crisis since owner Brooks Mileson withdrew his funding, could offer no guarantee that they could fulfil their fixtures next term and, following relegation from the SPL last season, were demoted to the Third Division last Thursday.

Today's announcement spells the end for the Dumfriesshire outfit, who had enjoyed a fairytale rise up the leagues after joining the SFL in 2000, with the arrival of Mileson in 2003 sparking stunning on-field success.

An SFL spokesman said: "I have this morning received intimation from the Gretna FC administrator of their resignation from the Scottish Football League with immediate effect.

"I have accepted this resignation on behalf of the Scottish Football League and, accordingly, we now have a vacancy in the Third Division and are seeking applications."



The full article contains 211 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 03 June 2008 1:18 PM
  • Source: Edinburgh Evening News
  • Location: Edinburgh
  • Related Topics: Gretna FC , Spartans FC
 
1

PDubbs,

03/06/2008 13:31:21
Spartans have an excellent infrastructure in place... from training young kids up to a relatively successful first team. They have facilities that even some better know teams would be jealous of.

I also think the fact that Spartans are based in Edinburgh, you would have a number of Hibs & Hearts fans attending when games are being played that do not clash with home games. I am sure the attendances will be better than Gretna.. that's for sure.



2

SimonW,

Edinburgh 03/06/2008 13:32:03
Chance for Edinburgh City too. Don't forget they were the runners up to Gretna at the last vote.

I would place Annan as favourites.
3

Beachy,

03/06/2008 13:59:15
I hope Spartans get into the SFL, and certainly they seem the best prepared team to succeed with their new facilities and training pitches.
After the sham that was Gretna FC, the league management comitee have to get the correct package in this time!
4

Johnny Jambo,

03/06/2008 14:37:40
I hope that Spartans are given this opportunity, from what I have seen they are well set to do this and I think can assure that we do not see another Gretna situation arise.
I am sorry for all those surrounding Gretna they did make the dream and sadly were shafted at the end, whilst I hope Brooks Mileston's health improves and he gets well, it appears to me that has done the dirty on the club and this should be investigated somehow.
5

Daillyman,

03/06/2008 14:55:52
Whoever is admitted to the SFA 3rd division it is imperative that an independent auditing firm conduct a thorough financial background on the club to be approved for admission and go back a number of years into the clubs finances.

There have been enough smoke and mirror owners allowed into the game, with drastic consequences for the supporters and players.
6

Mike Lawson ,

Santa ponsa 03/06/2008 15:38:45
Looking good chaps looking good, im on about my tan!!

Lets hope Derek and Co put forward our case for SFL membership as if it was them selling me a football. Then i would have accepted the football.

Funny it seems that when im away bronzing the cups come out to play ?

My big toe has got better but i have now burnt my nose when sniffing a bacon roll, sniff sniff.
7

Langenburger,

03/06/2008 15:43:43
It is ridiculous for the EN to say Spartans are favourites.
History shows that when Caledonian Thistle and Ross County got in neither were "Favourites" at the time.
Likewise Elgin, Peterhead and especially Gretna.
Favourites with whom Mr Editor and on what basis.
Good luck Spartans you are a go ahead club but don't believe your own press - other clubs deserve it too and it will be a hard won fight if you make it through.

8

EPS,

Edinburgh 03/06/2008 17:22:41
#7 Good point. However, the writer of the article is not to blame. It is a good article about Gretna, it mentions only in passing who the favourites are to replace them, and it mentions another contender in the same breath. The fault lies with the writer of the headline, "Chance for Spartans as Gretna quit league", which is a parochial inversion of the article. It reminds me of Monty Python's "News for parrots", for those readers old enough to remember it.

Too often in this publication a good article is misrepresented by a bad headline.
9

Iain fae Elgin,

03/06/2008 17:45:54
Did Cove Rangers not have a good case last time?
10

Sir Albertt x2,

03/06/2008 18:13:25
WHITEHILL WELFARE.
11

paddy d,

sheffield 03/06/2008 19:39:59
i think its a very even race for entry 2 the sfl.spartans appear 2 have the press very much on side.the problem with all teams is that they have a small fan base and after the initial excitment of entry the most likely outcome is season after season plodding along(ie elgin city).the league realy needs a complete overhaul 2 try and change the lack of investment and excitment in the lower leagues..
12

Way Out West,

03/06/2008 22:02:05
Never mind Gretna.

I'm more interested in the vacancy which will arise when Hearts go out of business.
13

Xacobeo Hearts,

Galicia - far from home! 03/06/2008 22:39:23
Where abouts in Embra are Spartans actually based?

Sorry for my ignorance, but can't for the life of me think where their ground is when I'm this far away.
14

Iain Bhern,

03/06/2008 22:53:11
#13, I'd like to know that too. Footage on Reporting Scotland showed what looked like a ground currently under construction but didn't say where it was. Houses in the background looked like Pilton Avenue or maybe Colinton Mains but it was difficult to tell.
15

Iain Bhern,

03/06/2008 22:56:16
Just googled for Spartans and found out that their ground is being built on the old playing fields of the former Ainslie Park school in Pilton Drive so I was right about the houses!
http://www.spartansfc.com/page.php
16

Xacobeo Hearts,

Santiago de Compostela 03/06/2008 23:16:55
Cheers much appreciated, I'd a very vague feeling it might be down that way somewhere but couldn't picture where.
17

The Genuine Mario Antoinette,

04/06/2008 09:40:58
The Spartans "ground" is nowhere near ready.

Thats the only problem i can think of but frankly at 3rd division level with "crowds" of 400 tops it shouldnt hold them back.

I'd be a lot happier if they changed their name to Meadowbank Thistle....

Beyond that , Cove have good facilities and are based on the edge of Aberdeen , the support potential is there.
18

The Genuine Mario Antoinette,

04/06/2008 09:42:23
Here is a picture of Spartans proposals

http://www.soccersiliconvalley.com/images/Estadio_Atletico.jpg

Oops sorry I thought this was the Evening News.
19

The Genuine Mario Antoinette,

04/06/2008 09:46:18
http://www.spartanswfc.com/homepage.htm

 

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