Skelton pays tribute to Mr and Mrs Gretna
Last updated 12:05, Tuesday, 17 June 2008
Former Gretna midfielder Gavin Skelton has paid tribute to long-serving directors Helen and Ron MacGregor after the couple were left to pick up the pieces following the club’s demise.
The MacGregors were among the first people Skelton called after signing a two-year deal with Kilmarnock last week.
The retired couple, like Skelton, were at the club during its non-league hey-day before their fairytale adventure in Scottish football, which saw them win three successive championships and reach the 2006 Scottish Cup Final.
But the dream turned sour when the club went into administration, and the MacGregors have been left to shoulder the stress of Gretna’s decline after owner Brooks Mileson cut ties with the club he bankrolled to the SPL following an illness.
They are now helping to re-establish the club in non-league football again, while 27-year-old Skelton has been given the chance to continue his career in the Scottish Premier League with Kilmarnock.
Skelton, who spent seven seasons with the Borderers after joining them from Workington Reds, was a firm favourite of the MacGregors, who are already planning trip to Rugby Park to watch him next season.
Skelton said: “Ron and Helen did a lot of unpaid work before the club took off.
“They were always at the club but never got much credit or praise for all the hard work they put in, and are then pushed to the forefront when the club folds.
“I’ve really felt for them because it must have been very tough for them. It’s not fair that they should get any criticism because their hearts are in the right place.”
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