Tom Brogan On Scottish Football: Gretna’s Shot At Glory

Gretna made their debut in European competition on Thursday night with a 5-1 hammering by Derry City in the UEFA Cup second qualifying round.

It might be a clich? but Gretna?s impact on Scottish football since their arrival in the league in 2002 has been pure Roy of the Rovers stuff.

In that same year a film starring Robert Duvall called A Shot at Glory, was released. The storyline is not a million miles away from Gretna?s tale of last season. Plucky underdogs come from nowhere only to gallantly lose to the big boys on penalties in the Scottish Cup Final.

Michael Keaton played the club?s owner in that film, but even the former Batman doesn?t have the charisma to portray Gretna owner Brookes Mileson. The 59-year-old businessman made his fortune in a variety of insurance, construction and property businesses. He has reportedly turned down an offer to have his life story made into a movie.

He has become a popular figure among the players and fans. Funding the club from his own pocket, offering players the use of his expensive cars, laying on supporters? buses and taking his seat amongst the fans for matches instead of the Directors? box.

Situated in the Borders, Gretna played their non-league football in England; first in the Carlisle and District League and then after six consecutive title wins they moved to the newly formed Second Division of the Northern League in 1982.

They went on to win promotion to the First Division at the first attempt and the club spent nine successful seasons at this level culminating in back-to-back championships in 1990-91 and 1991-92, the latter ensuring promotion to the First Division of the Northern Premier League.

In the FA Cup they made the First Round twice, where they lost to Rochdale in 1991/92 and Bolton Wanderers in 1993/94.

They applied to join the Scottish league in 1993 and 1999. Both applications were ultimately unsuccessful, though were well received.

At the third time of asking they were rewarded with a place in the Scottish league, going on to finish 5th in their first season. They followed that up with a 3rd place finish in 2004.

In 2004/05 they romped to the Third Division title, winning a record 13 games in a row and securing the earliest ever promotion from the league on 5th March 2005. Last season they made light work of the league by winning the Division Two title by 18 points. They signalled their intentions of a third league title with an opening First Division victory at home to Hamilton Accies by 6 goals to nil.

A lot of people have a perception that Gretna have bought their success. They have certainly paid their players more than some clubs in higher divisions, but when you look at the players they have signed there are no big names, no foreign stars over here for the fat pay packet. Their side is packed with players that have been around other clubs in Scotland and England.

On their signing policy Manager Rowan Alexander told the Scotsman newspaper last week, ?It?s not just hit and hope what has happened with this squad. We really do our homework whether it is their medical history, their background or whether they will fit into the system we want to play.? He added, ?It is carefully analysed, so if I haven?t seemed surprised in the past as to how well we?ve done, it?s because of our intelligence in selection of the type of players we bring to the club, regardless of their age.?

The type of players that have been brought in have included James Grady from Dundee United, Neil MacFarlane formerly of Hearts and Aberdeen, veteran goalkeeper Alan Main and Steve Tosh.

Tosh?s signing raised eyebrows in Januaruy 2005, when he turned down the chance to stay with Premier League Aberdeen to join Gretna, then in the Third Division. Money was certainly a key factor, however under Mileson, Gretna has shown itself to be a progressive club with real Premier League ambitions.

One of Gretna?s most successful signing has been Kenny Deuchar.

Deuchar, a qualified doctor, who previously played with East Fife, has been a revelation for the Black and White. In their Third Division clinching season he created the league scoring record. Last season he equalled a record set by Jimmy Greaves, that of scoring 6 hat tricks in one season.

Losing the Scottish Cup to Hearts, who had qualified for the Champions? League, meant that Gretna earned a place in the UEFA Cup. It appears to have come too early for them as Derry City have one foot in the next round after four second half goals in 21 minutes sealed a 5-1 away victory.

But I?m sure it won?t be Gretna?s last foray into European football. Hearts showed last season that the Old Firm?s dominance is in danger of being put to an end and I wouldn?t bet against Gretna being their main challengers in a year or two.