All Gretna staff and players made redundant

Gretna's administrators have axed the entire staff of the club including the remaining players.

Gretna's administrators have today made the entire staff of the club including the remaining players redundant.

The staff were summoned to an 11am meeting with administrator David Elliot of Wilson Field Ltd, where the news that money has run out was confirmed.

There remains a glimmer of hope for Gretna, who have been relegated from the SPL, with one potential buyer still looking at the club.

Director of football Mick Wadsworth, who loses his job, said: "All the staff have been made redundant this morning.

"We're told there is still one interested party, but because there are no funds at the moment to carry on then everybody has been made redundant.

"So the assumption from that, for most of us, is that it's the end of the line regarding employment at Gretna."

Gretna could still take their place in the Scottish Football League next season, if a quick sale can be achieved and the club can be revived.

A statement from Elliot confirmed: "A prospective purchaser has contacted us this morning and confirmed that he is still in negotiations with the SFL with a view to obtaining entry into the First Division."

The statement continued: "The staff and players have today been made redundant.

"The joint administrators thank all concerned for their support and wish everyone well in the future."

Wadsworth, who had also been operating as caretaker manager since former boss Davie Irons quit to take charge at Morton, admitted today's announcement was a huge blow to followers of the club.

"It's a big shock to the people that have been here a lot longer than I have," he said.

"It's a shock to the players that have got contracts, not only for the rest of the season but for next season.

"And it's a shock I'm sure to the local people for whom the club is very, very important. For that group of supporters and certainly the workforce that are local, it's very, very difficult."

Wadsworth believes Gretna will face a struggle to get up and running in time to feature in next season's SFL.

"I think it will be right to say it's against the clock, because the SFL will have to work on their fixtures," said Wadsworth.

"If Gretna are not there they have to look at the numbers in the league, so on and so forth.

"So I think there are a lot of practical issues.

"One thing we've done, we've shown in the last month that we can make a fist of it, so at least we went out with a little bit of credit."