When Gretna qualified for the 2006 Scottish Final and subsequently participated in the 2006 UEFA Cup, few could have guessed at the misfortune that would befall the club not two years later.  Representing the Dumfries and Galloway Scottish town of Gretna, the club of the same name were dissolved in 2008 due to severe financial irregularities.

Despite being based in the border Scottish town the early Gretna FC participated in English league structures from 1947 until it was elected to the Scottish League at the third attempt in 2002.  The club played in the Carlisle and District League affiliated to the English FA and played in the English FA Cup playing Rochdale and Bolton Wanderers in the 1990's. 

Its quick progress up the ladder came through the financial support of maverick English 'businessman'  the eccentric chain smoking Brooks Mileson; financial support which saw the club promoted through the Scottish leagues to the Scottish Premier League in 2007.

The rise was fast, less than five years after its entrance into the league ladder it found itself a the top.  In reaching the SPL Gretna won the SFL Division Three, Two and One titles in successive seasons from 2005 to 2007.   During their seasons of successive promotions they scored 297 goals, 130 of these came in the 2004-2005 season with many of the goals coming from a qualified doctor  Kenny Deucher.  This record is only one short of the British league record of goals scored in a season.

Gretna though struggled in the SPL from the start, many of its players finding themselves out of depth and tactically inadequate against superior clubs.  Managerial and boardroom squabbles saw a decline in moral against a backdrop of whispering that players were not being paid and bills ignored by the owner.   The club also suffered through playing matches away from its Raydale Park ground, having to travel 80 miles for each home game to Motherwell's Fir Park in neighbouring Lanarkshire, Scotland. 

In April of 2008 the club was placed in administration after the once generous club owner Mileson withdrew his financial  support.  The reason for him pulling the financial plug was said to be ill-health but these have never been fully substantiated or proven.    The club however, won its last ever match beating Hearts through a goal by the longest serving player Gavin Skelton.   At the end of the 2008 SPL season, all of the club's staff were made redundant and the club was initially relegated to the Third Division due to their inability to guarantee fulfilment of fixtures.  After this scenario became a reality the one remaining potential buyer withdrew their offer to buy the club.  In the belief that Gretna has ceased to exist, the club resigned its place in the SFL in June 2008 and was formally liquidated on August 8th 2008.

Near the end of its life it was revealed by the administrator that Gretna FC had debts totally nearly £4 million and assets of less than £1million.  However, after the HMRC revealed it was due almost £600,000, it was this debt that was said to have forced the move into administration.   Resignation and redundancies followed with the clubs captain being made redundant mid season and with deteriorating internal relationships, declining morale and takeover plans never a realistic option and no ground or players, the death of the Gretna club followed as sure as night follows day.  Gretna were replaced in the SFL by Annan Athletic FC and the recent weeks since the passing have seen Gretna supporters form a new club called Gretna FC 2008 and they now play in the East of Scotland Football League, where Annan previously played.  Although sharing a common fanbase and similar name the two clubs share no legal connections other than representing the town of Gretna.   Ultimatly even this factor comes only through the club name as the new Gretna club 2008 play home matches in nearby Annan.