Brooks John Joseph Mileson was an English businessman and the owner of now dissolved professional football club Gretna as well as being a philanthropist to 70 non-League clubs.
11 Facts About Brooks Mileson
1.
2.
The eldest son of parents who were both members of the Salvation Army, Mileson and his four siblings were born in Pennywell, an estate in Sunderland, England.
3.
Brooks Mileson was a devotee of grassroots football, and made donations to several football trusts, including Carlisle's United Trust, Dundee United's Arab Trust, Ayr United's Honest Men Trust, Dundee's Dee4life Trust and Berwick Rangers's Supporters Trust.
4.
Brooks Mileson was made an honorary vice president of the Stockport County Supporters' Trust for the support and guidance he provided during their takeover of the club.
5.
Brooks Mileson was the president of Whitby Town, and sponsor of the Northern League.
6.
Brooks Mileson was a supporter of Carlisle United and made an unsuccessful attempt to purchase the club.
7.
Brooks Mileson took control of the club and invested heavily in the team, and they were promoted from the Scottish Third Division to the Scottish Premier League in three consecutive seasons.
8.
Brooks Mileson had been in poor health from his many years as a chain smoker, subsequently undergoing two stomach operations.
9.
Brooks Mileson was admitted to hospital on 12 February 2008, suffering from a brain infection.
10.
Brooks Mileson was found unconscious on his land at his home in the village of Blackford on the morning of 3 November 2008.
11.
Brooks Mileson was taken to the Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle, where he died a few hours after arrival.