retired_fabricodalacosta

Hope I'm not gonna get chastised here, by starting a thread which technically isn't about an LLM game, but I thought the success story that is Gretna is something worth highlighting. Am not gonna name any players, or talk about any tactics !

For those who don't know, Gretna FC play in the Scottish 2nd Divison (I think), and have been memebers (though not fully approved) for the past 3 and a bit seasons since they joined. During that time, they've set many records - most points and goals in winning the Scottish 3rd division, and now they have made it to the Scottish FA Cup Final, after beating Dundee 3-0 at the weekend. They will play Hearts in the final. What's more remarkable, is that if Hearts finish 2nd in the PL - Gretna will qualify for next season's UEFA Cup, even if they lose the final.

Really, not bad for a club that only a few years ago, were playing in the English Unibond League, and prior to that had been memebers of the world's oldest league, The Northern League - a competition which is still going strong to this day.

So, my hats off to Gretna and I wish them well for the future. It's a story to inspire all LLM'ers surely ?

retired_edkimbal

Not really, theyve been bankrolled by Brooks Mileson and probably have a bigger budget than most SPL clubs tbh

retired_duncan

Valid. Someone used the spawn and injected millions of ££

retired_aprilcox

retired_fabricodalacosta

Yeah - I know they have a benefactor, but still - have they not lived within their means ?

retired_edkimbal

Its rumoured they have the highest wage outside the SPL so...... no they havent

creative36

If there's someone rich enough to sign the cheques, then "Yes, they have" is surely the answer. God knows, none of us will need to think too hard to name clubs that doesn't apply to.

Just because Abramovich has enough money to wipe out 3rd World debt, it doesn't mean Chelsea aren't within their means. It just redefines "means".

retired_pmetzger1

Would have been interesting to see their progression through the English pyramid with everything else being equal.

retired_mekeesha

The story isn't as black & white as a dappled llama, for sure, but credit where credit's due.

I'm a romantic and I love the story. True, they're bankrolled by a big spender and thus in FM LLaMa terms are a no-no, but the guy genuinely loves the club - it's not a business venture or bid to become Russian president.

At the end of the day, they are a village team, population 2500, due to have a SPL-approved stadium seating 6000 (!) and have risen from non-league to European qualification in record time. Wonderful :cool:

retired_mekeesha

Oh, and I read yesterday that the reson the chairman bought and invested his money and soul in the club is because ......


....... he had faith in the manager! :thup: