A FOOTBALL club has swapped Spennymoor United for Seville and Bishop Auckland for Basle after a fairytale qualification for the Uefa Cup.

Four years ago, Gretna FC, from the Scottish Borders, finished seventh in the UniBond League First Division before successfully gaining membership of the Scottish League in June 2002.

Now, in a season that has included their second successive promotion and a run to the final of the Scottish Cup next Saturday, they have earned the right to compete in one of the world's most prestigious competitions.

On Wednesday, next week's opponents Hearts beat Aberdeen to ensure that they finished second in the Scottish Premier League - and that Gretna also qualified for reaching the cup final.

It is a long way from the days when they were below the likes of Whitby Town and Gateshead in the region's non-league football pecking order.

That this club, from a small town of 2,705 people, will be mixing it with Ajax and Lazio is due in no small part to the vision of Sunderland-born businessman Brooks Mileson.

The pony-tailed millionaire, who was once linked with a takeover of Darlington FC, became owner the year after they entered the Scottish league.

He said: "This time four years ago, we were finishing a season in the UniBond League. Now we've won two Scottish titles with record points totals and have become the smallest club in Britain to reach a major cup final."

The same manager, Rowan Alexander, remains at the helm, and of the team that played in the Scottish Cup final, only one cost a transfer fee.

Mr Mileson insists their transformation is simply down to hard work, good management and good players.

He added: "We've had people wanting to do a book and there have been approaches about doing a film. But that's not something we're interested in, it's too egotistical."

But there is no denying that it is some story. Prior to their back-to-back Scottish title wins and European qualification, Gretna's only previous honours had been the Northern League Division One title in 1990/91 and 1991/92.

Mr Mileson's Durham-based business, the Arngrove Group, continues to sponsor the Northern League.

In 1992, they also embarked on a run to the UniBond League Challenge Cup semi-final, only to lose 4-3 on aggregate to Warrington Town.

Now, the club's managing director refuses to rule out a similar effort in Europe next term.

He said: "At the beginning of the season, I didn't think we'd win the Second Division. I certainly didn't think we'd reach the Cup Final.

"I wouldn't bet against anything with this team."