THE little town of Gretna in hurricane-ravaged Louisiana is rooting for the football team of its Scottish namesake.

The 17,000 inhabitants of the American town are right behind Brooks Mileson's team as they take on Hearts in the Scottish Cup Final next Saturday.

Many in the town on the banks of the Mississippi will be watching the internet to see if Gretna can complete a miracle.

Mayor Ronnie Harris has phoned the club to give the team a good-luck message on b behalf of the whole town. He said: "We would like to wish Gretna a successful game against I Hearts and hope they can make both our ^towns proud."

Like Gretna, Dumfriesshire, its Louisiana counterpart is famous for weddings and has its own blacksmith's shop and anvil.

Ronnie added: "We have very strong links and we are gratified Gretna Football Club are bringing honour to our name."

The American town does not have a football club but prides itself in its rugby team.

Ronnie said: "I have been trying to work out the rules of football since discovering about the success of the Gretna team. It has taken me a while but I'm getting there"

Gretna is located in the centre of the New Orleans Metropolitan Area, which bore the brunt of Hurricane Katrina last year.

Ronnie said: "We are steadily rebuilding our community and are beginning to get back on our feet."

Last night Gretna chairman Mileson said: "We are delighted our American namesake is getting behind us."

Taken from the Sunday Mail