Gretna lifeline bid
Last updated 09:15, Saturday, 17 May 2008
GRETNA could be saved within the next 48 hours after administrators received a deadline-beating bid to buy the troubled club.
While there has been no official confirmation, the News & Star understands Glasgow-based agent and football consultant Paul Davies was behind a bid to buy the cash-strapped club yesterday.
Davies – the son of Gretna stadium security chief Ken Davies – made the offer just 24 hours before today’s deadline, with the administrators threatening to serve a winding up order next week.
His bid is being supported by the Gretna Supporters’ Society, an influential group made up of fans and local businessmen, who are raising money to help bring Raydale Park up to standard so it can stage Scottish First Division football next season.
Supporters’ Society secretary Anton Hodge said: “All the signs are that the bid has been made and at this stage it is looking much more favourable that the club will survive.” If the deal is accepted, administrators will then make an offer to the five-man creditors’ committee representing the individuals and businesses who claim they are owed money by the club, which has debts of £4million and was plunged into a financial crisis when owner Brooks Mileson, pictured, withdrew his backing.
Gretna players and staff will discover on Monday if there is a future for the stricken club.
