Gretna has become the buzzword in Scottish football for how a club can go to the wall.
In a situation where losing some of the 42 SPFL clubs, owing to the financial impact of the coronavirus lockdown, has been mooted, it is inevitable to hear their name brought up again.
Peterhead goalkeeper Greg Fleming lived through those times. As a young player in the ranks of the upstart club, who had risen rapidly to the top tier, he experienced the highs and the ultimate low.
“It was horrible,” said Fleming. “We went four to six weeks without any wages at all. I didn’t really have any responsibilities, as a young boy, so I was alright. But at the time you had experienced players with families and mortgages that were going six weeks without wages. It wasn’t nice.
“I can remember the physio, Kenny Crichton, hadn’t been paid in an age and he still turned up to treat the boys. He was there in case something happened. That’s just the way it was.
“It had its unfortunate ending but hopefully, if that’s a lesson to some clubs how not to do it and say ‘we’re not going to spend outwith our means’ then great.”
Communication in times of crisis is key and Fleming is quick to praise the contribution of Blue Toon skipper Scott Brown. As well as having the responsibility of captaincy, Brown is also the club’s PFA representative and sits on their management committee. It had been his job to act as the negotiator between the club and players, during discussions over pay reductions at Balmoor.
Brown said himself last week he hoped the resolution had been fair to all parties, with the players needing to be looked after but chairman Rodger Morrison also safeguarding the club’s best interests.
Fleming added: “Communication is massive. We went about four weeks at Gretna before anyone actually spoke to us. We were turning up to training every day wanting to know what’s going on.
“Scott has taken a hell of a lot on for a young lad. He’s been the go-to guy, speaking to the club and getting back to the boys. He’s been there for everyone and deserves enormous credit.
“He’s trying to find out as much as he can for the players but also has got to keep the club’s best interests at heart.
“He’s not been in a good position but he’s done a very good job letting everyone know what’s going on.”
Brown cast doubt on whether the season would get finished, which is the SPFL’s preference, and Fleming is on board with his colleague’s point of view.
He added: “You would love to get playing again but I don’t see it happening.
“You’ve got lockdown until the end of April and folk out of contract at the end of May. We have got nine games left – will you try to cram them into one month, even if it’s safe?
“I don’t see it re-starting and not everyone is going to be happy with it.”