Chance for Spartans as Gretna quit league

Published on Tuesday 3 June 2008 10:22

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."