Falkirk F.C. facts for kids
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| Full name | Falkirk Football Club | ||
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| Nickname(s) | The Bairns | ||
| Founded | 1876 | ||
| Ground | Falkirk Stadium, Falkirk | ||
| Capacity | 7,937 | ||
| Owner | Falkirk Supporters Society | ||
| CEO | Jamie Swinney | ||
| Manager | John McGlynn | ||
| League | Scottish Championship | ||
| 2015–16 | Scottish Championship, 2nd | ||
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Falkirk Football Club is a professional football team from Falkirk, Scotland. The club was started in 1876. They are known as "The Bairns," which is a Scottish word for children. This nickname comes from the town's motto.
Falkirk plays in the Scottish Championship, which is the second-highest football league in Scotland. They have won the Scottish Cup twice, in 1913 and 1957. They also reached the final three other times. In 2009, they even played in the UEFA Europa League, a big European competition. Falkirk holds the record for winning the second tier of Scottish football seven times. They have also won the Scottish Challenge Cup four times, more than any other club.
The team played at Brockville Park for 118 years, from 1885 to 2003. Now, their home ground is the Falkirk Stadium, a modern stadium built in 2004.
Contents
The Story of Falkirk FC
How the Club Started
Falkirk Football Club began around 1876 or 1877. The club and its fans usually use 1876 as the official start date. In 1878, Falkirk joined the Scottish Football Association. This meant they could play in the Scottish Cup, a big knockout tournament for teams across Scotland.
In their early days, Falkirk played friendly matches at different fields. These included Hope Street, Randyford Park, and Blinkbonny Park. In 1884, they moved to Brockville Park. This stadium became their home for over a century. In 1883, the Stirlingshire Cup was created for local teams. Falkirk won this cup in its very first year.
Joining the National League
In 1902, Falkirk joined the Scottish Football League. This was a national league for Scotland's best football clubs. The league had two levels: the First and Second Divisions. After just two seasons, Falkirk finished second in the Second Division and moved up to the top division.
In 1908 and 1910, Falkirk achieved their highest league finishes ever. They came in second place both times, right behind Celtic. They were also the first Scottish club to score over 100 goals in a single season! In 1913, Falkirk won the Scottish Cup for the first time. They beat Raith Rovers 2–0 in the final.
In 1922, Falkirk made headlines by paying a world record transfer fee of £5,000. This was to sign a striker named Syd Puddefoot from West Ham United. The club also played a special match in 1923 to help people affected by the Redding mine disaster.
Falkirk stayed in the top league for 30 years in a row. They were relegated in 1935 but quickly bounced back. They won the Second Division championship the very next season. They scored a club record of 132 league goals that year!
After the War: Ups and Downs
After World War II ended in 1945, the Scottish Football League started again. Falkirk was back in the top division. In 1947, a new competition called the Scottish League Cup began. Falkirk reached the final in 1948 but lost to East Fife.
In 1957, Falkirk won the Scottish Cup again, beating Kilmarnock in a replay. This was their second Scottish Cup victory.
For many years after this, Falkirk often moved between the first and second divisions. They were promoted and relegated seven times until 1996. They also spent three seasons in the third division in the 1970s. In 1997, Falkirk reached the Scottish Cup final again. They were playing in a lower league at the time. They faced Kilmarnock but lost 1–0.
The Scottish Premier League Era
When the Scottish Premier League (SPL) was formed in 1998, it had strict rules for stadiums. Falkirk's old stadium, Brockville Park, did not meet these rules. This meant Falkirk was denied promotion to the SPL three times, even when they earned it on the field. They tried to share a stadium in Edinburgh, but it was rejected.
To meet the rules, Falkirk started building a new stadium. They left Brockville Park in 2003. In 2004, the SPL changed its stadium rule, making it easier for clubs like Falkirk. The new Falkirk Stadium met the new rules. In the 2004–05 season, Falkirk won the First Division and was finally promoted to the SPL!
After three seasons in the SPL, Falkirk achieved something special in 2009. They qualified for the UEFA Europa League, a major European competition, for the first time ever! This happened because they reached the Scottish Cup final, even though they lost to Rangers. The next season, they played in the Europa League but were relegated from the SPL.
Recent Seasons: Championship and League One
After returning to the First Division (now called the Scottish Championship), Falkirk won the Scottish Challenge Cup in 2012. They beat Hamilton Academical 1–0. This was their fourth time winning this cup, a record! They also reached the semi-finals of the League Cup that year, beating top teams like Rangers and Dundee United.
In 2013–14, Falkirk finished third in the Championship and almost got promoted to the top league through the play-offs. They won their quarter-final but lost in the semi-finals. In 2015, they reached the Scottish Cup final again but lost to Inverness.
Falkirk finished second in the Championship in both 2016 and 2017, qualifying for the promotion play-offs. They came very close to returning to the top flight but lost to Kilmarnock in 2016 and Dundee United in 2017.
In 2019, Falkirk had a tough season and was relegated to Scottish League One, the third tier. However, they made a great comeback in the 2023–24 season. On March 30, 2024, Falkirk were crowned League One champions! They finished the season undefeated, winning 27 games and drawing 9. This was only the seventh unbeaten league season in the entire history of Scottish football!
Back in the Championship
Falkirk's amazing unbeaten run finally ended on September 28, 2024. They were beaten 1-0 by Raith Rovers. They are now competing in the Scottish Championship again.
Team Colours and Badge
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| The first instance of the navy blue and white strip from 1882 |
Falkirk's main colours are navy blue and white. They first wore these colours in 1882. Their very first uniform, from 1876 to 1880, had thin blue and white stripes on the jersey and socks. Since then, a blue jersey and white shorts have been the main part of their kit. Sometimes, touches of red have been added, especially on the socks. For the 2017–18 season, the kit was a navy blue jersey, white shorts, and navy socks.
Falkirk's current badge shows a modern design of the Falkirk Steeple. This is a famous landmark in the town. In the 2007–08 season, the club used a special badge called "The Highlander." This was a tribute to the players who won the Scottish Cup in 1957.
Where Falkirk Plays: Stadiums
In the beginning, Falkirk played at three different places: Hope Street, Randyford Park, and Blinkbonny Park. Hope Street later became the site of Brockville Park. Randyford Park was where they played their first competitive match.
From 1885 to 2003, Falkirk's home was Brockville Park. This stadium was close to Falkirk town centre. It could hold about 7,500 to 8,000 fans. On February 21, 1953, a record 23,100 people watched Falkirk play Celtic there.
Brockville Park didn't meet the new rules for the Scottish Premier League (SPL). Because of this, Falkirk couldn't join the SPL, even when they earned promotion. In 2003, Brockville was taken down, and a supermarket was built there. To remember the stadium, the supermarket displays some Falkirk FC items, like an old turnstile. For one season, Falkirk shared Ochilview Park with Stenhousemuir while their new stadium was being built.
Since 2004, Falkirk has played at the Falkirk Stadium. This is a modern stadium with seats for 7,937 fans. It opened in July 2004 with a friendly match against Dundee. The stadium has been expanded over time. It helped Falkirk meet the SPL rules and get promoted in 2005.
Fans and Rivalries
Falkirk has a strong rivalry with Dunfermline Athletic. This is known as the Kincardine derby. The two towns are only about 13 miles apart. Both clubs are similar in size and have often played in the same leagues. This rivalry has grown because they've played important matches against each other, especially for promotion or relegation.
One famous match was "Super Tuesday" on March 7, 1989. Falkirk beat Dunfermline 4–0 in front of over 9,000 fans. Another big game was in April 2009. Falkirk beat Dunfermline 2–0 in the Scottish Cup semi-final, moving on to the final.
Falkirk also has a traditional rivalry with East Stirlingshire. This club was also based in Falkirk. They used to play against each other regularly in local cups and league matches. However, they haven't been in the same league since 1982. The last competitive game between them (besides the Stirlingshire Cup) was in 1999, which Falkirk won.
Current Team Players
First Team
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Players on Loan
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Club Staff
| Position | Name |
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| Manager | John McGlynn |
| Assistant manager | Paul Smith |
| Goalkeeping coach | Alex Connon |
| Head of youth development | Tony Begg |
| Head of physical performance | Blair Doughty |
| Physiotherapist | Cammy McAndrew |
| Performance analyst | Andy Tannahill |
| Kitmen | Chris McGill Jack Cunningham |
Club Managers
The first manager of Falkirk FC was Willie Nicol, appointed in 1905. Before him, the club secretary handled management duties. Willie Nicol is the longest-serving manager in Falkirk's history. Alex Totten, who managed from 1996 to 2002, was named the club's lifetime ambassador.
Here is a list of Falkirk's managers and their achievements:
| Picture | Name | Nationality | From | To | Matches | Won | Drawn | Lost | Win% | Honours | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Willie Nicol |  Scotland |
July 1905 | February 1924 | 732 | 285 | 187 | 260 | 38.93 | 1 Scottish Cup, 2 Division One runners-up, 1 Division Two runners-up | ||
| David Reid | Scotland |
February 1924 | October 1927 | 155 | 61 | 37 | 57 | 39.35 | – | ||
| John Richardson | Scotland |
November 1927 | May 1932 | 197 | 75 | 35 | 87 | 38.07 | – | ||
| Willie Orr | Scotland |
August 1932 | March 1935 | 115 | 42 | 17 | 56 | 36.52 | – | ||
| Tully Craig | Scotland |
April 1935 | May 1950 | 577 | 262 | 112 | 203 | 45.41 | 1 Division Two championship, 1 Scottish League Cup runners-up | ||
| Bob Shankly | Scotland |
August 1950 | December 1956 | 257 | 88 | 50 | 119 | 34.24 | 1 Division Two runners-up | ||
| Reg Smith |  England |
January 1957 | May 1959 | 104 | 38 | 23 | 43 | 36.54 | 1 Scottish Cup | ||
| Tommy Younger | Scotland |
August 1959 | March 1960 | 39 | 15 | 10 | 14 | 38.46 | – | ||
| Alex McCrae | Scotland |
April 1960 | April 1965 | 216 | 77 | 36 | 103 | 35.65 | 1 Division Two runners-up | ||
| Sammy Kean | Scotland |
July 1965 | December 1966 | 61 | 21 | 7 | 33 | 34.43 | – | ||
| John Prentice | Scotland |
December 1966 | September 1968 | 74 | 18 | 19 | 37 | 24.32 | – | ||
| Willie Cunningham |  Northern Ireland |
October 1968 | April 1973 | 207 | 80 | 47 | 80 | 38.65 | 1 Division Two championship | ||
| John Prentice | Scotland |
August 1973 | August 1975 | 95 | 40 | 18 | 37 | 42.11 | 1 Division Two championship | ||
| George Miller | Scotland |
September 1975 | March 1977 | 64 | 19 | 12 | 33 | 29.69 | – | ||
| Billy Little | Scotland |
April 1977 | May 1979 | 91 | 36 | 31 | 24 | 39.56 | – | ||
| John Hagart | Scotland |
August 1979 | November 1982 | 152 | 51 | 40 | 61 | 33.55 | 1 Second Division championship | ||
| Alex Totten | Scotland |
November 1982 | November 1983 | 41 | 20 | 7 | 14 | 48.78 | – | ||
| Gregor Abel | Scotland |
November 1982 | November 1983 | 11 | 3 | 1 | 7 | 27.27 | – | ||
| Billy Lamont | Scotland |
February 1984 | February 1987 | 131 | 48 | 30 | 53 | 36.64 | 1 First Division runners-up | ||
| Dave Clarke | Scotland |
February 1987 | August 1988 | 65 | 12 | 18 | 35 | 18.46 | – | ||
| Jim Duffy | Scotland |
September 1988 | October 1989 | 53 | 27 | 11 | 15 | 50.94 | 1 First Division runners-up | ||
| Billy Lamont | Scotland |
November 1989 | April 1990 | 21 | 9 | 8 | 4 | 42.86 | – | ||
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Jim Jefferies | Scotland |
August 1990 | August 1995 | 237 | 98 | 61 | 78 | 41.35 | 2 First Division championships, 1 Scottish Challenge Cup | |
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John Lambie | Scotland |
August 1995 | March 1996 | 32 | 7 | 5 | 20 | 21.88 | – | |
| Eamonn Bannon | Scotland |
May 1996 | December 1996 | 20 | 9 | 3 | 8 | 45.00 | – | ||
| Alex Totten | Scotland |
December 1996 | April 2002 | 240 | 114 | 53 | 73 | 47.50 | 1 Scottish Cup runners-up, 1 Scottish Challenge Cup, 2 First Division runners-up | ||
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Ian McCall | Scotland |
May 2002 | January 2003 | 27 | 18 | 6 | 3 | 66.67 | – | |
| Owen Coyle and John Hughes |
 Ireland Scotland |
January 2003 | May 2003 | 19 | 12 | 3 | 4 | 63.16 | 1 First Division championship | ||
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John Hughes | Scotland |
May 2003 | June 2009 | 263 | 105 | 57 | 101 | 39.92 | 1 First Division championship, 1 Scottish Challenge Cup, 1 Scottish Cup runners-up | |
| Eddie May | Scotland |
June 2009 | February 2010 | 27 | 4 | 8 | 15 | 14.81 | – | ||
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Steven Pressley | Scotland |
February 2010 | March 2013 | 105 | 44 | 28 | 33 | 41.90 | 1 Scottish Challenge Cup | |
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Gary Holt | Scotland |
April 2013 | June 2014 | 53 | 26 | 11 | 16 | 49.06 | – | |
| Peter Houston | Scotland |
June 2014 | September 2017 | 153 | 71 | 42 | 40 | 46.41 | – | ||
| Paul Hartley | Scotland |
October 2017 | August 2018 | 41 | 17 | 8 | 16 | 41.46 | – | ||
| Ray McKinnon | Scotland |
August 2018 | November 2019 | 55 | 17 | 18 | 20 | 30.91 | – | ||
| David McCracken & Lee Miller | Scotland |
November 2019 | April 2021 | 43 | 23 | 10 | 10 | 53.49 | – | ||
| Paul Sheerin | Scotland |
May 2021 | December 2021 | 23 | 8 | 4 | 11 | 34.78 | – | ||
| Martin Rennie | Scotland |
December 2021 | May 2022 | 20 | 6 | 4 | 10 | 30.00 | – |
Club Achievements
Falkirk Football Club has won many titles and cups throughout its history.
League Titles
- Scottish League Championships (Top tier)
- Second Place (2): 1907–08, 1909–10
- Scottish First Division (Second tier)
- Winners (7)]]: 1935–36, 1969–70, 1974–75, 1990–91, 1993–94, 2002–03, 2004–05
- Second Place (8): 1904–05, 1951–52, 1960–61, 1985–86, 1988–89, 1997–98, 1998–99, 2015–16, 2016–17
- Scottish Second Division (Third tier)
- Winners (2): 1979–80, 2023–24
- Second Place (2): 2019–20†, 2022–23
Cup Competitions
- Scottish Cup
- Winners (2): 1913, 1957
- Runners-up (3): 1997, 2009, 2015
- Scottish League Cup
- Runners-up (1): 1947–48
- Scottish Challenge Cup
- Winners (4): 1993, 1997, 2004, 2012
†The 2019–20 Scottish League One season was ended early due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Club Records
- Biggest League Win: 9–0 against Port Glasgow Athletic (1907)
- Biggest League Loss: 1–11 against Airdrieonians (1951)
- Fewest League Losses in a Season: 0 (unbeaten, 2023–24)
- Biggest Cup Win: 11–1 against Tillicoultry (1889) and 10–0 (twice) against Aberfeldy Breadalbane (1923, 1926)
- Biggest Cup Loss: 1–9 against Motherwell (1962) and 0–8 against Aberdeen (1972)
- Record Attendance: 23,100 fans against Celtic at Brockville Park (1953)
- Most International Appearances: 14 by Alex Parker for Scotland (1955–58)
- Most League Goals in One Season: 43 by Evelyn Morrison (1928–29)
- Most Goals in One Season (all competitions): 45 by Evelyn Morrison (1928–29)
- Most League Goals for the Club: 129 by Kenneth Dawson (1934–1951)
- Most Senior Goals for the Club: 237 by Kenneth Dawson (1934–1951)
- Most Top Division Goals for the Club: 115 by Jock Simpson (1905–1922)
- Most Scottish Cup Goals for the Club: 12 by Robert Keyes (1934–1939)
- Most League Cup Goals for the Club: 25 by Angus Plumb (1949–1955)
- Most League Appearances for the Club: 451 by Tom Ferguson (1919–1932)
- Most Senior Appearances for the Club: 498 by Tom Ferguson (1919–1932)
- Most Scottish Cup Appearances for the Club: 47 by Tom Ferguson (1919–1932)
- Most League Cup Appearances for the Club: 68 by John Markie (1964–1976)
- World Record Transfer Fee Paid: £5,000 for Syd Puddefoot from West Ham United (1922)
European Football History
Falkirk has played in a European competition once. In 2009, they reached the Scottish Cup final. They lost to Rangers, but because Rangers had already qualified for another European competition, Falkirk got their spot in the UEFA Europa League.
Falkirk played in the Europa League in the 2009–10 season. They were knocked out in the second qualifying round by FC Vaduz from Liechtenstein. Falkirk won the first game at home 1–0, with Ryan Flynn scoring their only European goal. But they lost the second game 0–2, losing 1–2 overall after extra time.
| Season | Competition | Round | Opponent | Home | Away | Aggregate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009–10 | UEFA Europa League | Second qualifying round |  FC Vaduz |
1–0 | 0–2 | 1–2 (a.e.t.) |
Images for kids
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Falkirk FC logo
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Historic chart of table positions of Falkirk in the League.
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An old turnstile from Brockville
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The Falkirk Stadium has been Falkirk's home since 2004.
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Jim Jefferies
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John Lambie
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Ian McCall
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John Hughes
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Steven Pressley
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Gary Holt
See also
In Spanish: Falkirk Football Club para niños
