Mileson has been helping the tiny Scottish outfit in recent months and has now formalised his involvement by taking control at Raydale Park and installing his right hand man Keith Agar, a former commercial manager at Middlesbrough as the new Managing Director. Mileson spent three years trying to prise United away from then owner Michael Knighton. He announced his interest in 1999 and kicked off a series of protracted negotiations with Mr Knighton which ended in recrimination and failure. His final attempt to buy out Mr Knighton came in a joint bid with John Courtenay last summer. Mr Courtenay eventually clinched a deal without Mr Mileson's involvement. Yesterday insurance millionaire Mileson, who lives just outside Carlisle announced he was putting some £2 million into the Northern League as part of a life-long commitment which would be passed down to his sons as part of his inheritance. The League will receive £42,000 a year and rising as part of the long-term sponsorship package. Mileson's company Albany Insurance has been the league's sponsor for the past few years. Local side Penrith won the Northern League Division 2 title last season. He also pumped £300,000 into non-league Scarborough to help stave off financial collapse shortly after their relegation to the Conference four years ago. Former United commercial manager Steven Barker has been elevated to commercial director as part of the shake-up at Gretna. The new chairman is to be Ron McGregor with current chairman Brian Fulton becoming Life President. Gretna completed a successful first season in the Scottish League Division Three last month, consolidating their position with a mid-table finish. Mileson is offering shares to supporters in blocks of 100 at a price of £1 each and has stressed that he wants the club to become part of the community. "I want them to own part of this club and give the community a chance to become part of what is happening here," he said. Brass is youngest manager since days of Ivor York City's Chris Brass was named as the financially-strapped club's youngest ever manager yesterday. The 27-year-old midfielder, who joined the Bootham Crescent outfit from Burnley two years takes over as player-manager with immediate effect. Brass is the youngest man to take charge of a Football League club since United's celebrated player Ivor Broadis famously transferred himself to Sunderland at the age of 26 back in 1949. Broadis took the reigns at Brunton Park when football resumed after the Second World War. He later returned for a second spell at the club as a player only. The cash-strapped Minstermen have had to make drastic cuts to their playing staff and are currently looking for a new home after the sale of Bootham Crescent. They parted company with Terry Dolan, their manager of three years, last week. Picture from News & Star |
