Tributes were paid today to former Gretna owner Brooks Mileson, who has died after collapsing at his home.

Tributes were paid today to former Gretna owner Brooks Mileson, who has died after collapsing at his home.

The 60-year-old businessman, who bankrolled the club's fairytale rise through Scottish football, was rushed to hospital yesterday after being found in his garden. He died later.

Former Gretna chairman Ron MacGregor MacGregor led the tributes, describing Mr Mileson as a "great force" at the club and praised his "marvellous achievements" while in command.

The businessman financed Gretna's rapid rise from the Third Division to the Scottish Premier League before the club was wound up in the summer.

Mr Mileson's funding stopped in February after he spent time in hospital with a brain infection.

Mr MacGregor said he collapsed at his home in Blackford near Carlisle on Monday morning and was taken to Cumberland Infirmary where he later died.

The former chairman said: "He was a great force in Gretna's rise through the Scottish league.

"It was a marvellous achievement and it was Mr Mileson's drive and finances that he made available to the club that led to incredible success for Gretna."

Mr MacGregor, 73, said from his home near Lockerbie: "The thing people liked about him, myself included, was that he was a very hands-on person and mixed with the fans.

"He always liked not to be in the director's box, but in the stands with the fans.

"He was very happy that I, as chairman, dealt with the formal business.

"He was at his happiest being with supporters. He was a very warm person and will be sadly missed."

Mr Mileson had been receiving treatment for a neurological illness and had spent time at a specialist unit in Newcastle, the former chairman said.

His condition had not improved despite receiving the best care, he added.

Scottish Football Association chief executive Gordon Smith described Mr Mileson as "one of the most colourful characters to have graced the game".

Mr Smith told the SFA website: "His passion for football and love for Gretna saw that small club come from nowhere to the Cup final and European football in an incredibly short period of time.

"While it all ended for Gretna suddenly and disappointingly, Brooks and his club provided us with a wonderful story that the whole world bought into.

"He will be long remembered by everyone who ever met him as a warm and generous man.

"My thoughts are with his family and friends at this terribly sad time."

Mr Mileson was until his death serving as president of Whitby Town, who now play in the Unibond League.

Whitby said in a statement: "The club are sad to hear of the passing away of our president and long-time supporter Brooks Mileson.

"Our condolences go out to his family and friends at this sad time."

Dumfriesshire MP David Mundell said: "This is very sad news and my thoughts are with Brooks' wife and family.

"Brooks was a larger than life character and although his time at Gretna FC was a rollercoaster ride he certainly brought excitement and colour into our local community and he will be remembered."

The Sunderland-born entrepreneur is credited with helping Gretna reach the 2006 Scottish Cup final, where they lost on penalties to Hearts.

The tiny club had been languishing in the lower reaches of the English system before he bought them and successfully applied for a place in the Scottish League.

He is said to have ploughed £8 million into the team before illness led to him withdrawing his financial backing.

Mr Mileson underwent two serious stomach operations in 2006 and also lived with the debilitating illness ME.

Gretna were forced to resign from the Scottish Football League in June this year.

Supporters formed a new club and their chairman remembered Mr Mileson in a positive way.

Anton Hodge, chairman of Gretna 2008, said: "It's a very sad day for Brooks' family and Gretna Football Club 2008.

"We would like to extend our condolences to his family, especially Craig, his son, who was involved in the old club.

"We just want to remember the generosity of Brooks, and his support. fans and be with them rather than the directors' box."

Former Gretna chief executive Graeme Muir said: "It's a sad day and my thoughts are with his family."

Former manager Davie Irons paid tribute to Mr Mileson's generosity.

Mr Irons, now Morton manager, told BBC Radio Scotland: "Brooks Mileson was probably one of the most generous people I have ever come across.

"He took a lot of stick for what happened in the end but I would like to think he'll be remembered for his generosity, not just in football, but the wider community.

"He was generous and passionate and very honest and a trustworthy guy to so many people.

Former Gretna striker James Grady also paid tribute. He said: "He gave a lot of people a lot of enjoyment through football, but first and foremost he was a husband, a father and a grandfather."

Mr Grady was left out of pocket when the club went out of business but said he does not blame Mr Mileson.

"I don't think you will find a player with a bad word to say about him," said Mr Grady, now on loan at Morton from Hamilton.

"Anything that Brooks promised me, he always came through with it."