Brooks Mileson Dies
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Brooks Mileson Dies
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scot ... 707741.stmTributes have been paid to former Gretna FC owner Brooks Mileson, who died on Monday after a long illness.
Scottish Football Association chief executive Gordon Smith said Mr Mileson, 60, was one of the most colourful people to have graced the game.
Former Gretna manager Davie Irons, now boss of Morton, told BBC Scotland Mr Mileson was one of the most generous people he had ever met.
Mr Mileson died in hospital after being found unwell in the garden of his home.
Ambulance crews were called to the self-made multi-millionaire's house in Blackford in Cumbria on Monday morning.
He was taken to Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle, where he died a few hours later.
Brooks and his club provided us with a wonderful story that the whole world bought into
Gordon Smith
SFA chief executive
Mr Mileson, who spent millions of pounds on the tiny club's fairytale rise from non-league football in England to the Scottish Premier League, the Scottish Cup Final and a brief foray into the Uefa Cup, had been receiving treatment for a neurological illness and had spent time at a specialist unit in Newcastle.
The illness led to him withdrawing his money from the club in February, leading to several players being made redundant and the club later folding.
Mr Smith told the SFA website: "His passion for football and love for Gretna saw that small club come from nowhere to the cup final and European football in an incredibly short period of time.
"While it all ended for Gretna suddenly and disappointingly, Brooks and his club provided us with a wonderful story that the whole world bought into.
"He will be long remembered by everyone who ever met him as a warm and generous man."
Mr Irons told BBC Radio Scotland: "Brooks Mileson was probably one of the most generous people I have ever come across.
"He took a lot of stick for what happened in the end but I would like to think he'll be remembered for his generosity, not just in football, but in the wider community.
"He was generous and passionate and very honest and a trustworthy guy to so many people."
'Sadly missed'
Former Gretna chairman Ron MacGregor described Mr Mileson as a "great force" at the club and praised his "marvellous achievements" while in command.
Mr Macgregor added: "The thing people liked about him, myself included, was that he was a very hands-on person and mixed with the fans.
"He always liked not to be in the director's box, but in the stands with the fans.
"He was very happy that I, as chairman, dealt with the formal business. He was at his happiest being with supporters. He was a very warm person and will be sadly missed."
Former Gretna striker James Grady, who was left out of pocket when the club went out of business, said he did not blame Mr Mileson.
He said: "He gave a lot of people a lot of enjoyment through football, but first and foremost he was a husband, a father and a grandfather.
"I don't think you will find a player with a bad word to say about him. Anything that Brooks promised me, he always came through with it."
Mr Mileson underwent two serious stomach operations in 2006 and also lived with the debilitating illness ME.
The Sunderland-born entrepreneur made his fortune through construction, insurance and property.
Shame
"Im a big fish in a small pond"... "Your not a big fish! Your not even a fish!"
Has anyone ever seen that 'Footballs Hardest Away Days' programme? It used to be on Sky.
The only episode that's ever repeated has a segment about two owd Gretna fans, filmed back when they were in the bottom divison. Mileson had just taken over, and IIRC he took them to an away game somewhere and stood with them on the terraces. At the end, the two fellas were talking about how in five years time they'd be in the SPL playing Rangers and Celtic, cue the narrator saying something like 'Ah well, Gretna can dream can't they?'. And they certainly did more than that.
Seemed a decent bloke, and it was a lovely story while it lasted.
The only episode that's ever repeated has a segment about two owd Gretna fans, filmed back when they were in the bottom divison. Mileson had just taken over, and IIRC he took them to an away game somewhere and stood with them on the terraces. At the end, the two fellas were talking about how in five years time they'd be in the SPL playing Rangers and Celtic, cue the narrator saying something like 'Ah well, Gretna can dream can't they?'. And they certainly did more than that.
Seemed a decent bloke, and it was a lovely story while it lasted.
It's never nice, in most cases, to here of someone passing away, and my sympathies are with everyone connected with him. If anything, he has taught us that no matter who is backing your club, it can all be taken away so cruelly. I bet you in a million years he never envisaged outliving the club he backed.
"Young people, nowadays, imagine money is everything."
"Yes, and when they grow older they know it."
"Yes, and when they grow older they know it."
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officer_dibble
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yeah seen thatTombwfc wrote:Has anyone ever seen that 'Footballs Hardest Away Days' programme? It used to be on Sky.
The only episode that's ever repeated has a segment about two owd Gretna fans, filmed back when they were in the bottom divison. Mileson had just taken over, and IIRC he took them to an away game somewhere and stood with them on the terraces. At the end, the two fellas were talking about how in five years time they'd be in the SPL playing Rangers and Celtic, cue the narrator saying something like 'Ah well, Gretna can dream can't they?'. And they certainly did more than that.
Seemed a decent bloke, and it was a lovely story while it lasted.
shame it all went wrong for 'em
i still remember them being 2 up at burnden in the fa cup with 20 mins left. we scraped through in the end
anyway, RIP mr Mileson.
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ThePosterFormerlyKnownAs
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I always imagined that the only reason he took over Gretna was a sort of 'bet' among rich men. Sort of like 'Around the world in 80 Days', but involving a football club and taking them higher and higher. He had his dream to see Gretna play in Europe and he saw just that. They may have only lasted a few games, but it is more than a lot of teams ever will.
It was only when he was ill that it was foind out that the only person who could sign cheques/authorise payments within Gretna Football Club was Brook. His sons are often villified by the press - often accusing them of wanting the loins share by demanding that their father hand over control of the club - but they only had the interests of Gretna in mind. If they, or anyone else, had been able to sign cheques, pay wages etc then Gretna FC might still be in business today. Sadly, by the time he was well enough, the club was in administration and on its way out.
He also put a lot of money into Wo(r)kington, Barrow, and Carlisle Football Clubs. Though, he only put cash into Carlisle when they were in the conference. He was a true fan of lower league and grass roots football and would never see a club in difficulty.
What isn't mentioned in the article is that Mileson was found in his pond. He had apparently collapsed and was unable to move.
R.I.P
It was only when he was ill that it was foind out that the only person who could sign cheques/authorise payments within Gretna Football Club was Brook. His sons are often villified by the press - often accusing them of wanting the loins share by demanding that their father hand over control of the club - but they only had the interests of Gretna in mind. If they, or anyone else, had been able to sign cheques, pay wages etc then Gretna FC might still be in business today. Sadly, by the time he was well enough, the club was in administration and on its way out.
He also put a lot of money into Wo(r)kington, Barrow, and Carlisle Football Clubs. Though, he only put cash into Carlisle when they were in the conference. He was a true fan of lower league and grass roots football and would never see a club in difficulty.
What isn't mentioned in the article is that Mileson was found in his pond. He had apparently collapsed and was unable to move.
R.I.P
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