Innes and out

Former captain Chris Innes was amongst the casualties today as nine senior players left the club.

The 31 year-old defender, who is one of the select few to have won three championship medals with Gretna, was made redundant, with several clubs chasing his signature.

He joined the Black and Whites from Dundee United in January 2005 and scored on his debut in a 4-0 win over East Fife.

The following season saw Innes named captain after the departure of Andy Aitken to Queen of the South, leading the team to the Second Division title and the Scottish Cup Final.

Eyebrows were raised when he swapped the SPL for the lower divisions but his ambition matched that of the club and he proved it by helping secure a third successive promotion and his return to the top-flight.

However, he was replaced as skipper by Paul Murray in September and refused to take part in the last two games with concerns over unpaid wages.

“I’ve had three and a bit fantastic years at Gretna but now I’ll have to look for pastures new,” he said.

“There is interest from various teams in Scotland and hopefully down south so I’m optimistic.”

“But there isn’t mush time as the transfer window for England closes tomorrow and here on Monday and we all still need permission from FIFA.”

“I would have appreciated it if the administrators had maybe told us a little bit sooner, which would certainly have helped the players’ positions with regards finding other clubs.”

“But I hold no grudges against anyone at Gretna and I wish everyone all the best for the future.”

Chris made 105 appearances for Gretna, scoring 12 goals.

Long serving goalkeeper David Mathieson has also left the club. The former Queen’s stopper joined the Black and Whites during the non-league days and was number one for four seasons.

However, he has struggled with a back injury for the last two years and looks set to retire. David has made 120 appearances in the Scottish League.

He is joined by veteran striker David Bingham. Bingo arrived from Inverness Caley Thistle in 2004 and was named SPFA Third Division Player of the Year in his first season after helping the Black and Whites to promotion.

But following a lengthy spell on the sidelines, he was loaned out to neighbours Queen’s and more recently Cowdenbeath. He made 69 appearances, scoring a creditable 32 goals.

Defender Mark Birch, another member of the infamous Third Division Championship side, has gone too.

He was signed from Carlisle United in 2003 and enjoyed further success in the Second Division, including a Scottish Cup runners-up medal.

But he was loaned out and had spells with Southport, Northwich Victoria and Newcastle Blue Star. Birchy made 104 appearances, scoring 11 times.

Teenager Michael Tait, who was also on loan at Blue Star, has left without making a senior appearance for Gretna.

He follows midfielder Erik Paartalu out of Raydale. The Australian midfielder was signed after impressing on trial and made a good impression in the First Division title race.

But he has spent the last three months with Stirling Albion after finding first team opportunities limited. He made 39 appearances, scoring six goals.

French duo Aurélien Collin and Mickael Buscher have been released at their request.

Defender Collin joined from Real Mallorca in August and made 22 appearances. Compatriot Buscher was another summer recruit from Nice and he made 19 appearances, scoring once.

Finally, striker Henry Makinwa has left after less than five months at the club. The Nigerian made 14 appearances.