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Wadsworth unsure of Gretna future

Sun 16 Mar, 08:45 AM


Caretaker boss Mick Wadsworth remains unsure if Gretna will survive administration - and fears for his job after the 3-0 defeat at Aberdeen.When owner Brooks Mileson became ill with a brain infection and withdrew the funding that had bankrolled the Borders club, Gretna were left in terrible financial trouble.

There were serious doubts they would make it to the end of this week but advance payment from the Scottish Premier League ensured Gretna still existed and were able to play at Pittodrie.

Cut-backs are set to be made to try to help the Black and Whites at least keep playing until the end of this season.

Wadsworth is unsure whether that will happen though - and when asked for his thoughts on Gretna's chances of staying afloat he said: "I'm not confident either way - and I am realistic.

"We are in a perilous state and there has been an incredible turn of events in the last few weeks - which has been a big shock to everyone.

"Brooks got ill, then the income stream stopped suddenly - and I haven't spoken to him in all that time.

"The family have rightly, from their point of view, protected him - and that is more than understandable.

"I just wished we could have engineered - for him with his illness and financially as well - a graceful withdrawal at the end of the season.

"I just hope we can get to that state, and someone will take over if Brooks doesn't come back - although I hope that he does."

Wadsworth is unclear over which staff will still be at the club for the Scottish Premier League game against Celtic next weekend, saying: "I don't know if I'll be there to pick the team, I don't know who will be there next week."

The Yorkshireman is well aware he could be released, along with a host of players.

He said: "I am no different now to anybody, the groundsman, an old player or a young player.

"We are all in the same boat and if the administrators see fit to make cost cutting-efforts because they think they have a chance of getting us through this then it could be me or anybody that steps aside.

"I understand that and that's not a problem.

"In all honesty I would rather it was me than one of the young coaches."

With Gretna unable to pay wages and in breach of contract to its playing staff, the squad were all give the option of deciding whether to travel to Aberdeen or not.

Greg Fleming and Chris Innes were among those players not to take part in this game, but Wadsworth insisted he wanted no ill feeling directed at them.

He said: "I am sure all of those lads who didn't play thought three or four times about it and it was a tough call, so I don't want any negativity against those that decided not to play.

"I don't want anybody to put a black mark against them because that's not fair as they were given that opportunity and options by the administrators."

There are suggestions there are groups potentially willing to buy out Gretna, including an Irish consortium led by former Carlisle manager Roddy Collins, and Wadsworth is pleased there is interest in the club.

"I am led to believe there may be three parties interested that will calm a lot of nerves because a lot of players don't want to leave," added Wadsworth.

Aberdeen secured victory thanks to Chris Maguire's first goal since Boxing Day 2006 and two second-half strikes.

Lee Miller converted a penalty having been brought down by Gretna goalkeeper Artur Krysiak and Barry Nicholson's powerful 20-yard-drive completed the scoring with 16 minutes remaining.

Aberdeen manager Jimmy Calderwood believes Miller's goal was the key to finally seeing off a determined Gretna side.

"I thought they played well and

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