Last updated 13:17, Tuesday, 03 June 2008

Gretna today resigned from the Scottish Football League – a move which will seal their fate.

Gretna badge

The stricken club is on the brink of going out of business and the SFL is now inviting applications from other clubs to replace them.

SFL chief executive David Longmuir said: “I have this morning received intimation from the Gretna administrator of their resignation from league with immediate effect.

“I have accepted this resignation on behalf of league and accordingly we now have a vacancy in the Third Division and are seeking applications.”

The administrator controlling Gretna’s affairs is preparing to flog their final asset – Raydale Park.

Gretna’s fate was sealed over the weekend when a consortium led by Glasgow agent Paul Davies withdrew his bid to rescue the club after they were demoted to Division Three.

Davies, who was fronting a consortium backed by Norwegian money, was forced to pull out as his business plan was based on First Division football.

The Borderers, who took Hearts all the way to extra-time and penalties in the Scottish Cup Final just two years ago, will be expelled from the SFL this week.

Gretna’s financial crisis came to a head in February when owner Brooks Mileson withdrew his funding following an illness, leaving them with debts of £4 million.

Administrator David Elliot said: “The overriding problem is that you have to have somebody who wants to invest a substantial amount of money to bring the ground up to standard and then acquire it from the administrator so he can pay the creditors.

“But the money you are going to get from the anticipated gates may not be sufficient to cover those costs. That’s why you need a benefactor in there with deep pockets.”

The SFL has now thrown its doors open to junior and senior clubs across Scotland who want to take Gretna’s place.

East of Scotland League club Annan Athletic are planning to apply, along with Edinburgh club Spartans and Cove Rangers.