The Falkirk Football Club Board has released the following update for supporters as we begin to progress into the 2024/25 season.It’s now almost three years since our club embarked on its journey towards increased fan ownership and, hopefully, the Premiership. One of the many surprises we’ve found in moving from the stands to the boardroom, is just how much work actually takes places during the close season. It’s fair to say that since we last updated you at the end of May, a lot has been going on around the club.
On the football side, we are delighted to welcome Ethan Ross and Dylan Tait back on a permanent basis, as well as Jamie Sneddon who joins Michael McKenna and Keelan Adams as new faces in the squad for this season. Welcome also to Blair Doughty who has joined John’s backroom staff as Head of Performance.
We’re confident we have a strong first team squad who will compete well in all competitions, and the signs so far are positive. Winning our Premier Sports Cup group, as third seeds, was a great achievement and the weekend’s win against Hearts adds to the many matches this team has produced, which will live long in the memory of every Falkirk fan.
Progress in cup competitions is a valuable source of extra income which allows us to further strengthen the club, and we’re delighted to have secured the services of Ross MacIver for a further two years to summer 2027. Securing assets such as Ross is a vital part of building solid foundations for the club going forward. The tie at Celtic Park will also give us welcome additional revenue, enabling us to continue to do so.
It’s also essential that we continue to invest in improving the infrastructure around the Falkirk Stadium. The summer months have therefore seen the switch to more powerful and energy efficient LED floodlight bulbs in both towers. The fence in front of the KM Stand has been renewed and work is taking place to replace all broken seats throughout the stadium. Further detail on infrastructure improvements can be read here.
Of course, all investment requires funding and we’re grateful for the incredible support of so many sponsors and commercial partners. Many thanks to Crunchy Carrots, Horizon/Maniqui, YB Fixings, Benny T’s, Your Equipment Solutions, Street Lighting Supplies and CR Smith Fix for their continued support and welcome to Ebony Joiners and FFIT T8’s who have become kit sponsors. A warm welcome is also extended to GM Landscapes, Omega Surveys, Allied International, Water and Pipeline Services and Concentrix who all join our portfolio of partners.
Clearly a huge portion of the club’s funding comes directly from fans, and we are eternally grateful for the incredible support it receives. Season tickets now exceed 3800 and around 20% of buyers also donated to the Manager’s Fund, which directly boosted the playing budget. Retail sales have continued where they left off last season, with a huge uptake of the new home and away kits. With thanks to its author Paul Robertson, the story book of our invincible season ‘The Untouchables’ is also available from the club shop or by contacting supporterservices@falkirkfc.co.uk
As we now commence our first season back in the Championship, we do so with real optimism. League performances so far provide confidence that we’ll be able to compete well at this higher level, and the board will continue to grow the playing budget at a rate the club can afford.
As John said in a recent interview, “we’re all in this together” and it’s difficult to remember a time when there was such a palpable sense of unity amongst every single stakeholder in Falkirk Football Club. It’s this togetherness which will see us continue to progress and develop.
To this end, we continue to ask all supporters to join the Falkirk Supporters Society by clicking here. FSS membership is an easy way for any fan to part-own our club, for as little as £2.30 per week. Fan ownership is the best way to build long-term sustainable success, and it’s clearly working, so there will never be a better time for all fans to get behind it and give our club even greater momentum going forward.
We’re only two games into the new league season and have already experienced two brilliant match atmospheres. Beating Queen’s Park on “flag day” was fantastic and perhaps could only have been eclipsed by our convincing win at East End Park. There’s no doubt that the players are lifted by the energy emanating from the stands, so let’s keep it going this coming weekend and beyond.
We also need to harness fans’ energy out with the 90 minutes of matches, by increasing the number of volunteers who serve the club on an on-going basis. This includes the board, which is currently under-resourced at just four members, and will need to expand. We’d encourage anyone with spare time and energy, who can help in any capacity, to get in touch with FSS, Jamie or ourselves as appropriate. Many thanks for your continued support.
Kenny, Keith, Nigel & Tom
Falkirk FC Board
