Dr Hackenslash 24 Posted May 20, 2006 Not sure if others would consider him famous enough or not but the owner of Scottish Football League club Gretna, Brooks Mileson, is not a very well man. Gretna recently reached the final of the Scottish FA Cup, losing to SPL runners-up Hearts on penalties, just four years after leaving the English Unibond League to move back to Scotland. Mileson has also helped around 80 other clubs, in both England and Scotland, over the years. From the (UK) Telegraph Gretna fairy godfather has major health scare By Ewing Grahame (Filed: 20/05/2006) The seemingly impregnable feelgood factor which has enveloped Gretna for the past two years was punctured yesterday with the revelation that the club's millionaire benefactor, Brooks Mileson, underwent brain scans earlier this week. Mileson went in for the tests after suffering blackouts and is waiting for the results. The 58-year-old's financial backing has seen the club rise from the UniBond League to the Tennent's Scottish Cup final and a place in next season's Uefa Cup. A former international cross-country runner, he made his money from property and insurance and has helped bankroll dozens of sporting clubs and individual athletes in the North-East of England. However, it is only since Gretna's inexorable rise began that the likeable eccentric's public profile has risen. Third Division champions in 2005, they followed that achievement by claiming the Second Division title with weeks to spare. Thanks to Mileson's cash injections, manager Rowan Alexander was able to attract a squad of SPL players on SPL wages and they were able to steamroller their mostly part-time opponents. It was their cup exploits which captured the imagination of even non-football lovers, though. They were expected to capitulate to Hearts in the final at the national stadium six days ago but came back from a goal down to take the Edinburgh club to extra time. Outplaying the Champions League candidates, they were unfortunate not to claim a famous victory and earned sympathy and admiration after losing a penalty shoot-out. Mileson, as always, sat with the fans at Hampden - the club took 12,000 supporters, four times the population of the town - and enjoyed a pre-match fish supper from a local chippie. In spite of his athletic background, Mileson smokes 100 cigarettes per day and often substitutes bottles of Lucozade for meals. He claimed to have made provisions to safeguard Gretna's finances in the event of anything happening to him. Other references: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brooks_Mileson Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
maryportfuncity 9,987 Posted May 20, 2006 Colourful character, he's made attempts to take over at Carlisle United in the past. Wouldn't wish any harm on the man but his diet and smoking suggest he's got a strange attitude to looking after himself. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dr Hackenslash 24 Posted May 20, 2006 Yes, he tried to take over Carlisle. And who took over instead? The great Michael Knighton He has been living on borrowed time for a while, but I hope he has more years in him as he has done wonders for Scottish football. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pulphack 5 Posted May 20, 2006 he's certainly done more for lower league football than the fa have for many a year. his attitude to his health, for an ageing athlete, is suitably retro 70's by the look of it. maybe the lovely (ahem) mr knighton could find a place for him in one of his care homes if ill health does ensure. that'll probably finish the poor guy off. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
maryportfuncity 9,987 Posted May 20, 2006 Hackenslash: Knighton - known to the Blue Army as FGB (Fat Greedy Bastard) - had his porky fingers in the Brunton Park pie in 1992, well before Mileson considered getting involved. Mileson was one of the contenders sniffing around once Knighton had earned a five year ban from running a business and the Brunton bandwagon went off the rails. He was there, or thereabouts when Knighton finally made way for John Courtenay and still sniffing around when Courtenay moved out for the current owner, Fred Story. Mileson still has a very few champions on CUFC message boards although Story may well be the best thing that ever happened to Carlisle United and the Cumbrian brace of Story in the boardroom and Paul Simpson in the dugout have raised levels of satisfaction so high that Mileson is marooned in Gretna whether he likes it or not. Still, fair play to Gretna, great run to the final, great place to watch former Carlisle players in action. Gavin Skelton, who missed the crucial penalty, is one of ours from way back. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Octopus of Odstock 1,850 Posted July 17, 2006 Mileson "recovering" after hospital stay Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
maryportfuncity 9,987 Posted July 18, 2006 Mileson's internal bleeding, hospitalisation and 'recovery' beg more questions than they answer. Carlisle United message boards speculate everything from minor problems to instant death. He lives on the edge of heavy smoking, history of cancer battles and - seemingly - a wish to live in the moment at the expense of the long term. He's eccentric to the point of joining supporters on the terraces. Great when you're winning..... My considered conclusion having seen posts elsewhere in cyberspace from people who claim he'll die in days to those stating he'll be watching football for years is that I haven't F*****g clue what the truth is here. May you live in interesting times eh? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
maryportfuncity 9,987 Posted August 5, 2006 Gretna sit atop Scottish League One with a 100% record from the 6-0 win in their first game. Mileson's SPL masterplan remains well on target if today is anything to go by. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dr Hackenslash 24 Posted August 6, 2006 Mileson was spotted at the Hartlepool match for the last 15 minutes last Saturday (days after leaving hospital). Gretna will make the SPL. But will Brooks? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
maryportfuncity 9,987 Posted August 7, 2006 If he does he's in for a wake up call when his ambitions finally hit reality. To put this crudely, Gretna scored six on Saturday in front of a crowd a shade under 1700, Carlisle's victory a few miles down the road was fought out in front of just over 12000 spectators, over 10,000 of them supporting Carlisle. However much money Mileson punts to Gretna those returns are going to look thin when Hearts, Rangers and Celtic - admittedly with more gate money going Gretna's way - are mullah'ing them four times a season, each. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dr Hackenslash 24 Posted August 7, 2006 If he does he's in for a wake up call when his ambitions finally hit reality. To put this crudely, Gretna scored six on Saturday in front of a crowd a shade under 1700, Carlisle's victory a few miles down the road was fought out in front of just over 12000 spectators, over 10,000 of them supporting Carlisle. However much money Mileson punts to Gretna those returns are going to look thin when Hearts, Rangers and Celtic - admittedly with more gate money going Gretna's way - are mullah'ing them four times a season, each. To be fair, the crowd wasn't far off capacity - as you will know, there is a lot of building work at Raydale Park to ensure compliance for the SPL (ie 6,000 seats). True, those three might be stuffing Gretna - but they'd still finish top-half of the SPL. And the Cup Final showed just what can happen - don't forget, if Gretna do reach the SPL, a lot of players will be brought (or is that bought) in Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
maryportfuncity 9,987 Posted August 8, 2006 Aye, points taken Dr Hack but it does make clear the growing gap between Scotland and England. You'd agree - I hope - that should Carlisle move to the Scottish League, something that has been mooted on and off, they'd be expected to finish above Gretna? Brendan McGill - who performed miracles for you last week - would've been lucky to get a game with us this season. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
maryportfuncity 9,987 Posted August 11, 2006 Gretna Euro dream is dying, 1-5 at home to Derry City. They've got to go to Northern Ireland and over-turn that result to stay in Europe. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
maryportfuncity 9,987 Posted August 13, 2006 2-1 away win today, top of the First with a 100% record and goal difference of +7 after two games. Still no match for Carlisle mind. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Octopus of Odstock 1,850 Posted December 13, 2006 He was, indeed, very ill this year, but now appears to be on the road to recovery Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
maryportfuncity 9,987 Posted December 13, 2006 Nowt on whether he's kicked the sixty a day habit, I'm guessing he has. Gretna are also looking up, considering a ground share with Motherwell until Raydale Park is ready for SPL footy. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
maryportfuncity 9,987 Posted December 17, 2006 Evening News and Star this week reported that 36 year old Dale Brotherton, the chairman who's taking Workington Reds from the brink of bankruptcy to the brink of the Conference is stepping down on health grounds. Severe chest pains and the rest saw him off. Brooks would tell ya, running a footy club in the NW isn't for the nervous. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dr Hackenslash 24 Posted December 19, 2006 Evening News and Star this week reported that 36 year old Dale Brotherton, the chairman who's taking Workington Reds from the brink of bankruptcy to the brink of the Conference is stepping down on health grounds. Severe chest pains and the rest saw him off. Brooks would tell ya, running a footy club in the NW isn't for the nervous. But Brooks has said he'll continue to support the club regardless - so he can't be that bad. Although the release of Steve Tosh, Jamie McQuilken and James Grady last week either means: a) Brooks is giving up or Brooks wants to make room for better players in January... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
maryportfuncity 9,987 Posted December 19, 2006 Second one is entirely possible but - as of yet - our wantaway goal machine Karl 'the hit man' Hawley hasn't been linked by rumour to Raydale Park. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Octopus of Odstock 1,850 Posted March 15, 2007 Still an ill chap, as is Gretna's manager Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Octopus of Odstock 1,850 Posted February 12, 2008 Looks like it's a race between Gretna's Mileson & Dundee United's Thompson to see which one of them hears the final whistle first. It's a rather downbeat article, dripping with seriousness. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dr Hackenslash 24 Posted February 15, 2008 It's a genuinely sad time, one of the genuinely good-guys, whether you agree with how he has spent his money in football or not Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
maryportfuncity 9,987 Posted February 18, 2008 Who will die first, Mileson or his club. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Guest Posted February 19, 2008 Who will die first, Mileson or his club. Rats leave sinking ship. Manager and assistant get new jobs. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
themaninblack 2,112 Posted February 19, 2008 Poor Gretna..... Too high, too fast, like Icarus... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
