Gav-a-go hero
Last updated 11:41, Wednesday, 14 May 2008
NOT even a Hollywood screen writer could have dreamed up a script as far-fetched as Gavin Skelton's career.
No one epitomises Gretna's incredible rise to prominence better than the Cumbrian midfielder, who joined them in their non-league days from neighbours Workington Reds and played his part in three successive championship triumphs on their way to the SPL.
Whatever the future may hold for stricken Gretna, who are just three days away from extinction unless a new owner comes forward, Skelton ensured his name will go down in club folklore after he hit a superb winner with the last kick of his farewell game.
There could hardly have been a more fitting way for the 27-year-old skipper to bring the curtain down on his seven years with the club, where he rebuilt his career after the bitter disappointment of being shown the door by Carlisle United.
And how appropriate that he should hit the winner against Hearts exactly two years to the day he endured the pain of missing a spot-kick in the penalty shoot-out against the Edinburgh giants in the Scottish Cup Final.
The victory meant Gretna could at least salvage some pride from a bruising debut season in the SPL in what may well have been their last-ever game, with a winding-up order a distinct possibility because of debts of nearly £4million.
But the night belonged to their longest-serving player, and no one could begrudge Skelton hogging the limelight.
Before kick-off supporters presented him with a memento in recognition of his services to the club, and after the final whistle his team-mates formed a guard of honour as he left the pitch to an emotional ovation.
Skelton is almost certain to be handed a chance to continue his career in Scotland's top-flight, with Kilmarnock, Falkirk, Aberdeen and St Mirren all chasing his signature, but he is hoping the club closest to his heart will survive.
He said: “It's been a really hard time over the last few weeks with everything that is happening with the club but it has made us stronger.
“It's two years to the day that I missed the penalty and it's funny how things come round. The lads are calling me Roy of the Rovers and it was quite a way to finish.
“I just smashed the ball and I knew it was going in. It's a nice way to finish and, if things do end, at least we've gone out on a high. Everything is up in the air for the club but hopefully there will be some clarity soon.”
The cynics predicted it would all end in tears for Gretna - and last night they were proved right.
On the pitch and in the stand, there were emotional scenes as the fairytale woven by former owner Brooks Mileson came to a harrowing end.
A crowd of 1,090 saw the dream die last night, but the man who made it happen was conspicuous by his absence as Mileson is said to still be recovering from the illness which forced him to walk away, sparking their financial crisis.
Hearts hopes of victory suffered a blow when Gary Glen was sent off on 26 minutes for kicking Craig Barr in the chest as the pair tangled on the ground, earning a straight red card.
Gretna had the ball in the back of the net when Hearts keeper Steve Banks parried Deverdics' header and the ball fell for Rostyn Griffiths to fire home only for their celebrations to be ended by an offside flag.
After almost four minutes of injury time, came the perfect end to Skelton's Gretna career when he raced forward and fired into the top corner from just inside the box.
MATCH FACTS
Gretna: Fleming (Krysiak 64), Barr, Griffiths, Hall, Naughton,McGill, Osman, Meynell, Skelton, Deverdics, Hogg (Taylor 84).
Subs Not Used: Murray, Fisher, Robinson, Sharples, Schultz-Eklund.
Booked: Skelton.
Sent Off: Glen (27).
Crowd: 1,090
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