Gretna sign star duo Renyard and Creighton

Dec 7 2012 by Andrew Burns, Dumfries & Galloway Standard

Gretna 2008 have secured the services of two star players.

Darryl Creighton and ex-Gretna winger David Renyard both signed up at Raydale Park this week.

Central-midfield talent Creighton, 22, joins from Cumberland league side Aspatria, where he was captain.

Renyard rejoins Gretna after leaving the club last year under a cloud, having since played for Guildford Park and Harraby Catholic.

Raydale manager Kenny Brown insists he is “delighted” to bring both players on board.

He said: “It’s good to have these guys on board – they are talented players and will bring plenty to the team.

“David left the club after a fall-out with the manager last year but then told us he wants to return.

“We were happy to bring him back because he’s a good lad and is a very good player.

“Darryl is a player that I’ve been chasing since the end of last season so I am delighted to get him signed up.

“He was captain at Aspatria and is a very tidy and solid midfielder.

“Unfortunately he has a suspension hanging over him from his time at Aspatria and will be unavailable for three games.

“We are still keen to get more players in and could have one or two more signed up within the next week.”

Also returning to Raydale this week is former assistant manager Barry Graham, who had left the club with ex-manager Stuart Rome in May.

Graham, who was also Davie Irons’ assistant at Annan Athletic, returns in a coaching role.

Brown said: “Barry knows the league and the club well and it’s great to have Barry back.”

Going in the other direction, Phil and Grant Middlemiss have both left the club, with the former going on loan to Threave Rovers and the latter being released.

Gretna host East of Scotland Premier League rivals Whitehill Welfare this weekend in a twice-rearranged Image Printers Cup clash, with the quarter-final tie having been postponed for the last two weekends.

Brown added: “We haven’t played against Whitehill yet this season but I know that they are a very strong and well-organised side.”