By Amanda Little

Last updated 14:52, Wednesday, 25 June 2008

Officials behind the rebirth of Gretna as a non-league club have told fans to take a reality check following criticism of the appointment of Workington Reds reserve team manager Stuart Rome as new boss.

Workington Reds Youth Squad players Daniel Carmichael (left) with his player of the year and player's player of the year trophies and Steven Rudd (right) holding his player of the year trophy. Pictured with Head Coach Stuart Rome. TUESDAY 12th JUNE 2007. DAVID HOLLINS

Fans had hoped for a big-name appointment, with many hoping for a return of former manager Rowan Alexander who helped guide them from the English UniBond League to the Scottish Third and Second Division championship and to the 2006 Scottish Cup Final at Hampden Park.

The club, which went out of business last month after former owner Brooks Mileson withdrew his funding in February, is hoping to re-establish itself in the amateur ranks and has applied to join the South of Scotland League.

The extent of Gretna’s shocking fall from grace was brought home to supporters who are now preparing for games against the likes of Nithsdale Wanderers and St Cuthbert Wanderers – a stark contrast to last season’s glamour SPL clashes against Rangers and Celtic.

Rome , below, was hastily appointed manager last week after volunteering his services for free at a recent fans’ meeting, but the decision has generated disappointment among fans.

But the Gretna Supporters’ Society, which has been raising funds and overseeing the club’s revival, has told fans they must accept their days in the big-time are over. Society secretary Anton Hodge said: “We have a problem with managing people’s expectations because until a few weeks ago we were in a league which included Celtic and Rangers.

“Now we’re in non-league football in Scotland – if we can secure a place in the South of Scotland League. It has been a reality check.

“Stuart Rome works at Newton Rigg football academy and said he would like to help out on the football side on a voluntary basis. We took him up on that.

“We asked for volunteers, from a new manager to someone who is prepared to wash the kits.

“We don’t have the funds to offer a manager a paid contract. We didn’t even try to get a bigger name. Stuart just came a long and offered to help and it’s all hands to the pump to get the club going again.

“To put an application in for the South of Scotland League we had to have a ground and players. Stuart came along with access to players and that gave us the assurance we could have a team.”

The new club is pinning its hopes on Dumfries and Galloway Council agreeing to buy Raydale Park from the administrators who oversaw Gretna’s demise.

Officials would then seek to lease Raydale from the council but are seeking a temporary ground for their first season in the South of Scotland League.

The club is hoping to hear that their application to join the league has been successful before their extraordinary general meeting on July 2.