Falkirk Football Club are members of the Scottish Football League, where they play in the First Division. They will play in the Scottish Premier League from the start of season 2005-2006 having won promotion.

Club History

The club's date of formation is a point of much contention, although most accounts point to the year 1876 as the probable starting point. The club quickly developed the nickname "The Bairns", a Scots word meaning child, son or daughter. This was in homage to an ancient Falkirk Burgh motto, "Better meddle wi' the deil [devil] than the Bairns O' Falkirk."

Falkirk traditionally play in a dark navy blue top and white shorts. Their current shirt sponsor is the Budweiser-Budvar brewery.

In the club's early years, a wide number of pitches and stadia were used. In 1885, the site of Brockville Park in Falkirk was leased, and there the club remained until the last day of the 2002/2003 season. Due to Brockville's central location in the town, and the SPL's stringent stadium requirements, the dilapidated Brockville site, home of Falkirk for over 100 years, was no longer suitable for the club's ambitions. For season 2003-04, the club groundshared with Stenhousemuir F.C. at Ochilview stadium on the outskirts of the town. At the start of season 2004-05 they moved into their new purpose built stadium which meets SPL criteria.

The fans recently voted Kevin McAllister (now manager of Albion Rovers F.C.) their player of the millennium.

Falkirk, along with Morton F.C., hold the dubious honour of being among Scotland's most relegated - and most promoted - football clubs.

Falkirk finally won promotion to the Scottish Premier League on April 9 2004 after a 1-0 win over Ross County F.C.. Falkirk will now be able to play in Scotland's top flight in season 2005/2006 now that their stadium meets SPL criteria.

Club Honours

Cups:

• Scottish Cup Winners - 1913, 1957
• SFL Challenge Cup - 1993, 1997, 2004

League:

• New First Division - 1990/1991, 1993/1994, 2002/2003, 2004/2005
• New Second Division - 1979/1980
• Old Division II - 1935/1936, 1969/1970, 1974/1975

External Link

• Official Site: http://www.falkirkfc.co.uk