Gretna owner Mileson in hospital

The 60-year-old has been in poor health in recent years, undergoing two stomach operations, and suffering from ME.

"It's worrying, but Brooks is a strong character and seems to pull through these things," said the club's chief executive Graeme Muir.

"That's our hope and prayers, and obviously our thoughts are with him and his famliy at the moment."

Earlier Gretna announced the millionnaire owner had been admitted ot hospital in a statement on their official website.

"Gretna Football Club owner Brooks Mileson was admitted to hospital yesterday morning," it read.

"He is currently undergoing a series of tests and the club will not be making any further comment at this time."

The businessman has funded the Black and Whites' rise from the Third Division to the Scottish Premier League in successive seasons.

Under the Englishman's stewardship, the club almost caused one of Scottish football's biggest ever upsets, narrow losing out to Hearts on penalties in the 2006 Scottish Cup Final.

However, as his health deteriorated, last season he began to step back from the day-to-day running of the club.

Gretna have struggled in their first season in the top flight and are currently sitting bottom of the SPL.

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