If you’ve lived in the UK for a short while, you’ll have almost certainly heard about Gretna. It’s a small town (really just a village) just inside the Scottish border, over the road from England.
History tells us that it used to be the first town English couples went to, to get married at aged 16, if their parents refused to give consent, in England. English Law stated that you had to be 18 to get married in England without parental consent, but you could get married at 16 with consent. Hence, many couples at 16 and 17 went over the border where it was legal to marry without consent at 16, from 1929.
Nowadays, the town is famous for it’s football team. With help from its financial backer, Brooks Mileson, they have risen from non league football in England and then through the ranks of all the divisions in Scotland, to reach the summit, the Premier League this current season. With small local support (lack of people, not supporters) the team has been playing their games in a different town this season, but results have been poor. It was too big a jump, really.
Results though haven’t been the clubs biggest problem recently. Owner Mileson became ill a couple of months ago. Hardly anything has been heard since from the great man. His financial support has stopped flowing. No-one appears to know what’s happening.
We can only guess that Mileson didn’t have a power of attorney in place to continue his funding while he became incapable (even if only for a short period) of making financial decisions. If could be that his family have put a hold on the funding until he is well enough again. This has led to the club being put into administration. Players have been made redundant, as have coaches and club staff. The club may not survive this season, let alone be in a state to continue next season.
If a lack of power of attorney (POA) is the only reason for the termination of funds, then it would have been so easy (with hindsight now) to have a POA in place, in time and registered ready for use. The club, its players, staff and next history could have kept its place in time.
Planning ahead is the only way to go forward. It’s a cliché to say that if you fail to plan, you plan to final, but it’s so often right. The same insight is required for all people as soon as you acquire some assets. Who would look after them for you, if you couldn’t? Do you want your personal assets to go the way of Gretna Green Football Club?
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