Nicknamed the Black and Whites or the Anvils, the club was founded in 1946, and enjoyed rapid and continual success in the mid-2000s, reaching the Scottish Cup Final in 2006.

Gretna struggled badly in the SPL and the club were placed in administration after Mileson withdrew his support due to illness.

This left the area without a team until Gretna Football Club was founded in 1946 by local workers and servicemen returning from the Second World War.

To help boost their later application, they played a Rangers XI in a game to raise money for victims of the Lockerbie bombing.

[citation needed] In 2002, Gretna were elected to the Scottish Football League at the third attempt, taking the place of Airdrieonians.

Gretna's 3–0 win in the semi-final against Dundee[10] made them the first team from the third tier of Scottish league football to reach the final.

[13] Manager Rowan Alexander was forced to step down in March 2007 due to unspecified health problems,[14] though he later claimed that he had had no medical issues and had been asked to take time away by the club chairman.

Gretna beat Ross County 3–2 with a last-minute goal by James Grady, ensuring promotion to the Scottish Premier League.

They continued to struggle, only gaining four points in their first 12 games and having to wait until 22 September 2007 for their first win in the SPL, defeating Dundee United 3–2 at Fir Park.

Gretna director of football Mick Wadsworth, assisted by Iain Scott and Andy Smith, took charge of first-team affairs.

[23] The following day, 22 players, including eight members of the senior squad, along with coaching staff and the former owner's son were also made redundant.

In early 2008 it was revealed by the administrator, Wilson Field of Sheffield, that Gretna had creditors of nearly £4m and assets (Raydale Park) of £812,000.

HM Revenue and Customs was owed nearly £600,000 in total, and it was their threat to wind up the company that precipitated Gretna's move into administration.

[28] On 29 May, Gretna were relegated to the Third Division due to their financial struggles, with the Scottish Football League threatening expulsion should a takeover not be completed within a week.

After a takeover bid fell through on 1 June,[29] the administrators confirmed the following day that they would look to sell Raydale Park to someone who will use the site for something other than football.