By Amanda Little

Last updated 10:43, Saturday, 12 July 2008

Gretna will kick off next season in the East of Scotland League – but they’ll be playing eight miles away in Annan.

The former SPL club, which crashed with debts of nearly £4 million after owner Brooks Mileson ended his involvement, has been salvaged by a fans’ group.

Gretna were accepted into the East of Scotland League First Division on Thursday night – ironically replacing Annan Athletic, who have taken their spot in the Scottish Football League.

Gretna will play their games at the Everholm athletics stadium in Annan next season but they hope to eventually return to Raydale Park, which was put up for sale by the administrators in May.

Anton Hodge, secretary of the Gretna Supporters’ Society, said: “It’s great news that we’re in the East of Scotland League as it is a good standard of football and it is all systems go.

“We’ve assembled a squad and our ambition is to be back at Raydale Park but we have had to find an alternative stadium for next season.

“We hope to be able to rent Raydale from whoever buys the ground and we could be back there for next season or playing at another location in Gretna.”

Gretna, who played the likes of Rangers and Celtic last season, face Workington Reds in a pre-season friendly at Borough Park today (3pm) and will kick off their East of Scotland League season on August 9.