Football pays tribute to Mileson

Brooks Mileson spent millions of pounds on the club

Tributes have been paid to former Gretna FC owner Brooks Mileson, who died on Monday after a long illness.

Scottish Football Association chief executive Gordon Smith said Mr Mileson, 60, was one of the most colourful people to have graced the game.

Former Gretna manager Davie Irons, now boss of Morton, told BBC Scotland Mr Mileson was one of the most generous people he had ever met.

Mr Mileson died in hospital after being found unwell in the garden of his home.

Ambulance crews were called to the self-made multi-millionaire's house in Blackford in Cumbria on Monday morning.

He was taken to Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle, where he died a few hours later.

Brooks and his club provided us with a wonderful story that the whole world bought into Gordon Smith SFA chief executive

Mr Mileson, who spent millions of pounds on the tiny club's fairytale rise from non-league football in England to the Scottish Premier League, the Scottish Cup Final and a brief foray into the Uefa Cup, had been receiving treatment for a neurological illness and had spent time at a specialist unit in Newcastle.

The illness led to him withdrawing his money from the club in February, leading to several players being made redundant and the club later folding.

Mr Smith told the SFA website: "His passion for football and love for Gretna saw that small club come from nowhere to the cup final and European football in an incredibly short period of time.

"While it all ended for Gretna suddenly and disappointingly, Brooks and his club provided us with a wonderful story that the whole world bought into.

"He will be long remembered by everyone who ever met him as a warm and generous man."

Mr Irons told BBC Radio Scotland: "Brooks Mileson was probably one of the most generous people I have ever come across.

"He took a lot of stick for what happened in the end but I would like to think he'll be remembered for his generosity, not just in football, but in the wider community.

"He was generous and passionate and very honest and a trustworthy guy to so many people."

'Sadly missed'

Former Gretna chairman Ron MacGregor described Mr Mileson as a "great force" at the club and praised his "marvellous achievements" while in command.

Mr Macgregor added: "The thing people liked about him, myself included, was that he was a very hands-on person and mixed with the fans.

"He always liked not to be in the director's box, but in the stands with the fans.

"He was very happy that I, as chairman, dealt with the formal business. He was at his happiest being with supporters. He was a very warm person and will be sadly missed."

Former Gretna striker James Grady, who was left out of pocket when the club went out of business, said he did not blame Mr Mileson.

He said: "He gave a lot of people a lot of enjoyment through football, but first and foremost he was a husband, a father and a grandfather.

"I don't think you will find a player with a bad word to say about him. Anything that Brooks promised me, he always came through with it."

Mr Mileson underwent two serious stomach operations in 2006 and also lived with the debilitating illness ME.

The Sunderland-born entrepreneur made his fortune through construction, insurance and property.