Last updated 21:25, Wednesday, 16 July 2008

DARREN Edmondson hopes Workington Reds’ opening pre-season friendly against new-look Gretna helps kick-start the Scottish outfit.

Darren Edmondson in his old role as community football coach for Gretna

The Reds boss revealed that he instigated Saturday’s match at Borough Park, in a bid to give the fledgling outfit a helping hand.

He worked on the old Scottish League Gretna’s Football in the Community scheme until losing his job earlier this year, as owner Brooks Mileson suffered major health problems and club funding dried up.

Edmondson has no hard feelings over being axed by the club and wishes those who came out in public to criticise the old regime had first reflected. “They had a decent living for three or four years, which they wouldn’t otherwise have had,” said Edmondson, who paid tribute to Mileson’s involvement at Raydale

“I got the opportunity to get a couple of coaching badges and do a worthwhile job for a couple of years, and I’m grateful to him for that.

“There were unforeseen circumstances for the guy and his family, due to horrible illness, and you couldn’t help that.”

In arranging the friendly, Edmondson was also keen to help Ron McGregor, chairman of the old Gretna club, and wife Helen, who the Reds boss knew during his time at Raydale.

He believes the new Gretna could have a future but questioned the absence of a football pyramid, north of the border.

“There’s a core of support for the club, and this now needs to be built up,” he said.

“Clubs in the Eastern Leagues in Scotland are getting three and four thousand watching games.

“These clubs should be in the Scottish League.

Reds travel to Leeds to face Farsley Celtic in the first round of the Setanta Shield Northern Section. The match will be played in the week starting September 8.