Bairns and striker Barney Stewart both benefiting from record £1m-plus move

Far from sparking the same sort of outcry that the 22-year-old’s three-month loan to William Hill Championship outfit Dunfermline Athletic last year generated, reaction to his move to the West Midlands for an undisclosed transfer fee reported to be upwards of £1.3m has been largely positive, with many supporters applauding that deal as a good bit of business given that he arrived at the Falkirk Stadium as a student in October 2024 with little or no money changing hands.

Much of that controversy last September was down to his destination on loan being Dunfermline rather than the fact he was being farmed out instead of being utilised by manager John McGlynn’s team while they were finding their feet back in the William Hill Premiership after back-to-back promotions.

By way of contrast, at time of writing, the Bairns’ confirmation this week that London-born Stewart was heading back south of the border had garnered 1,100 reactions, 804 of them likes and 149 of them loves, as opposed to the 292 reactions, 127 of them likes, prompted by his temporary move to Fife.

In terms of comments, the difference is even starker, with the vast majority of 254 comments made about his four-year West Brom deal being positive but only a few of the 254 posted about his Pars loan fitting that description.

Exceedingly unlikely prospect though that might have been, a move to Dunfermline for reasons unexplained – and, indeed, inexplicable – would no doubt have stirred up more of a fuss.

Last September’s controversy has even made a bit of a comeback as Pars fans, reasonably enough, claim their club deserve a share of the credit for turning a youngster playing in the East of Scotland Football League’s second division, Scottish football’s eight tier, two years ago into a footballer able to command a seven-figure sum for a call-up to the world’s wealthiest non-top-flight league.

Many Falkirk fans might also wonder how many more goals he could have added to his tally of 12 in all competitions for their club last season had he not been away in Fife from October to January, scoring six goals in 11 appearances for the Pars.

Supporters’ apparent equanimity over Stewart’s departure is, of course, attributable to the boost it’s provided – and, all being well, will continue yielding – for the Bairns’ finances now they’re competing in a league mostly made up of bigger spenders.

Exactly how much losing Stewart is worth to Falkirk is unknown as the price paid by manager James Morrison’s West Brom isn’t being disclosed, but the Bairns describe it as a “club record fee, with the potential for significant add-ons”.

A figure of £1.3m is the one most bandied about for Stewart’s up-front transfer fee, with those unspecified add-ons reportedly being forecast to add up to a further £400,000.

Add-ons, being birds in the bush rather than birds in the hand, often don’t add up as hoped for, however, as sell-on clauses only amount to anything if future moves materialise and players’ careers carry on following an upwards trajectory and injuries or squad rotation can see appearance-based bonuses come to nothing.

However much the Baggies are indeed forking out for Stewart, it’s safe to say it’s more than £1m, that being the Bairns’ previous highest disclosed outgoing transfer fee, pocketed for midfielder Conor McGrandles’ move to Norwich City in 2014, breaking the record of £380,000 set by defender John Hughes’ switch to Celtic 19 years prior.

The Bairns’ biggest pay-days since saying farewell to McGrandles, 30, 12 years ago, though he did return on loan in 2016, were for midfielders Will Vaulks and Craig Sibbald moving to Rotherham United in 2016 and Livingston in 2018 respectively for undisclosed fees reckoned to have been around £400,000, much the same as they’re believed to have earned for fellow midfielder Scott Arfield’s sale to Huddersfield Town in 2010.

Wishing Stewart well the other side of Hadrian’s Wall and thanking him for his contribution to the Bairns’ sixth-placed finish in the top flight last season, a club spokesperson said: “His story has been an incredible one.

“From playing university football in 2024 to finishing as Falkirk’s top scorer in the premiership, helping the Bairns secure a top-six finish after 15 years out of the top flight, it has been a meteoric rise.

“During his time with Falkirk, Barney became a fan favourite, not just for his ability on the pitch but also for his personality off it.

“His energy, positivity and enthusiasm were infectious, making him a well-liked and important member of what is an extremely tight-knit dressing room.

“Barney leaves with the best wishes of everyone at Falkirk. We wish him the very best of luck in the next stage of what we all believe will be a very successful career.”

Stewart, formerly part of the youth set-up at London’s Queens Park Rangers, is equally happy to be back in his homeland, telling his new club’s website: “It’s incredible to be here.

“I’m so excited by the challenge of playing in the championship. I love the frequency of the games and it’s one of the best leagues in the world to watch. To be a part of the division will be incredible.

“There will be a difference between the Scottish premiership and the championship. The championship is a step up, but, in terms of actual physicality, I’m expecting the championship to be equally as fierce and rough as it is up in Scotland.

“Luckily, I’m quite naturally athletic, so that always helps me out. I think my experience of playing up top in Scotland will help me in the championship and I’ll be checking my shoulders an awful lot, ready for big central defenders to come in from behind.

“I scored plenty of goals last season and everyone knows confidence is massive in football. Although I didn’t score consistently towards the end of the season, 18 goals overall was great. It was great for me, especially when you consider the injury I had in the previous pre-season. I never really expected the season to go as well as it did. To end up here is the best thing that could have happened.

“I’m very confident that I can score goals here at the Albion, just like I did last year for Dunfermline and Falkirk.

“I’d absolutely love to find the same form as last year.”

Stewart’s also glad to be working with 46-times-capped former Scotland midfielder Morrison, 40, adding: “He won loads of caps for Scotland and he’s got loads of contacts up there, so he knows lots about me.

“From what I have heard, he’s got great plans and great aspirations for me.

“He’s a lovely guy, so I can’t wait to get started and get to work under him.

“He knows I’m a young player and I have to develop, but he told me he’s there to help me and I can go to him with anything if I need help.

“He’s an ex-player, so he’ll always understand things from a player’s perspective and that’s great to have.”