Skelton pledges to fight for Gretna as debts revealed
Last updated 20:27, Thursday, 24 April 2008
GRETNA midfielder Gavin Skelton is determined to put all transfer speculation to one side to concentrate on his final three games for the club.
The Borderers’ longest-serving player and vice-captain leads them out tomorrow against Kilmarnock – the club he is strongly tipped to join this summer.
Skelton plans to quit Raydale Park when his current deal expires at the end of the season, and Killie boss Jim Jefferies is heading the chase for the 27-year-old Cumbrian’s signature.
St Mirren and Aberdeen also have him on their radar, along with several English clubs.
The signs are that the former Carlisle United youngster, from Appleby, will have the opportunity to continue playing in the SPL next season, while his beloved Gretna could fold because of debts of nearly £4 million.
Wilson Field, the Sheffield-based administrators controlling the stricken club’s affairs, have arranged a creditors’ meeting for May 8. The 139 known creditors include HM Revenue and Customs, former manager Rowan Alexander, ex-players and a wide range of other individuals and companies.
Creditors could move for Gretna to be put into liquidation, which would spell the demise of the club which reached the Scottish Cup Final at Hampden Park only two years ago.
Skelton joined them during their non-league days and, after collecting three championship medals, has risen to the challenge of playing in Scotland’s top-flight.
He will continue to captain the side tomorrow in the continued absence of the injured Paul Murray, and insists all his efforts are focused purely on helping Gretna salvage some more pride on the pitch after gutsy displays earned them back-to-back 0-0 draws with St Mirren and Falkirk.
Skelton said: “What happens in the future is completely out of my hands and, until a contract is in front of me, I won’t get carried away because anything can happen in football.
“I’m totally focused on what is happening with Gretna and forgetting all about transfer speculation.
“We’ve had two clean sheets, which have really been morale-boosting for us. People may say we’ve nothing to play for now but they’re wrong because we’re playing for professional pride and to put ourselves in the shop window.
“It would have been easy for us to throw the towel in but we haven’t. The frustrating thing is that we are not a million miles off the other teams.”
Negotiations are continuing to try to find a buyer for Gretna, who were placed into administration because of a financial crisis sparked by owner Brooks Mileson withdrawing his backing following an illness.
Glasgow-based agent and football consultant Paul Davies is among three interested parties trying to buy the club.
In a statement of the club's affairs leaked to The Cumberland News, the Sheffield-based administrators, Wilson Field Limited, have put the club's debt at £3,734,811.53.
Former manager Rowan Alexander is claiming £800,000, while ex-players James Grady and Martin Canning are claiming £20,000 and £9,000.
The club’s fate could now be in the hands of creditors, who have the chance to meet with joint administrators David Elliott and Lisa Hogg at the Smith’s Hotel in Gretna Green on May 8.
