Brooks Mileson

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Please improve this article if you can. (June 2007)

Brooks John Joseph Mileson (born 1947, in Pennywell, Sunderland) is an English businessman and the former financial backer of Scottish football club Gretna as well as being a philanthropist to 70 non-league clubs, he has invested heavily in Gretna.

As of April 2006, he has also taken them to the final of the Scottish Cup, coming close to winning the oldest football trophy in the world. He failed in an attempt to buy Carlisle United, he also supports them.[1] On 28 April 2007 he led his team to the Scottish First Division title following a dramatic 3–2 win over Ross County in the final league fixture of the 2006–07 season, with Gretna scoring a stoppage time goal to clinch the win that was required. In doing so, Gretna achieved a record third consecutive promotion.[2]

The Durham-based businessman once had a personal wealth estimated at over £75 million, according to a profile in The Sun. Now heavily in debt, Milesons personal bank account is reported to be overdrawn by almost half a million pounds. Mileson made his fortune in various branches of the insurance, construction and property businesses.[3] He is a devotee of grass-roots football,[4] and has made donations to several football trusts, including Carlisle's United Trust, Dundee United's Arab Trust, Ayr United's Honest Men Trust and Berwick Rangers's Supporters Trust.[5] Mileson was made an Honorary Vice President of the Stockport County Supporters' Trust for the support and guidance he provided during their takeover of the club.[6] He is also the president of Whitby Town,[7] and sponsor of the Northern League.[1]

Mileson has been in poor health in recent years resulting from his many years as a serious chain smoker. He has subsequently undergone two stomach operations and suffers from Chronic fatigue syndrome. He was admitted to hospital once again on 12 February 2008 suffering from a Brain infection.[8] After this event, his financial support for Gretna was withdrawn, bankrupting the club and leaving Gretna without a football team to play at Raydale Park.[9]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Harris, Nick. "Brooks Mileson: 'This club is in my soul. I would have ended up croaking if I had not come to Gretna'", The Independant, 2006-02-04. Retrieved on 2008-03-21. 
  2. ^ "Ross County 2-3 Gretna", BBC Sport, 2007-04-28. Retrieved on 2008-03-21. 
  3. ^ "A dream gone up in smoke - Profile: Brooks Mileson", Scotsman, 2008-03-16. Retrieved on 2008-03-21. 
  4. ^ "Mileson to help fans buy Dundee", BBC Sport, 2006-05-20. Retrieved on 2008-03-21. 
  5. ^ Halliday, Stephen. "Gretna bubbly as promotion looms", The Scotsman, 2005-03-05. Retrieved on 2006-03-28. 
  6. ^ "Brookes Mileson becomes Honorary Vice-President", Stockport County Trust, 2005 August. Retrieved on 2008-03-21. 
  7. ^ The Club. Whitby Town. Retrieved on 2008-03-21.
  8. ^ "Gretna owner Mileson in hospital", BBC Sport, 2008-02-12. Retrieved on 2008-03-21. 
  9. ^ Gordon, Phil. "End is nigh as Gretna face cash deadline", Times Online, 2008-03-12. Retrieved on 2008-03-21.