Falkirk appoint Alan Gow as head of football operations

The striker spent two years at the Bairns before moving to Rangers in 2007, and scored 19 times in the navy blue.

A year ago he fronted up an investment group keen on buying into the Bairns but the board named Mark Campbell as preferred bidder. However Gow is now returning to the club, and the boardroom, where he is expected to fulfil the head of football operations role.

Chairman Gary Deans stated the need for a football focused figure in the boardroom at the last AGM, and appears to have found his man.

He will mastermind the football strategy at the club overseeing an analysis and scouting network and a ‘youth development pipeline’.

The Bairns chairman said: “We’re delighted to welcome Alan back to the club in this exciting new role. Fans will be familiar with Alan’s performances on the pitch wearing the Navy Blue, but what they may be less familiar with is his desire and passion to again be involved at Falkirk.”

“The board and I have been impressed with Alan’s vision for the future of the club and he shares our desire and commitment to get Falkirk back to the Scottish Premiership. We know there are a lot of hard yards to be travelled before then but we believe his contacts within the game and his experience of scouting and performance analysis will be vital in supporting David and Lee this season and beyond. In the longer term Alan’s role will be to look toward the future ensuring the club is structured appropriately to meet the challenges ahead.

"One of those challenges will undoubtedly be the reinstatement of a youth development pipeline which we see as vital to Falkirk’s future and where Alan will play a leading role.”

Mr Gow added: “I’ve always had a special relationship with Falkirk and the clubs fans. I have fond memories of my time at the club so as you can imagine I’m delighted to accept the new role and excited to get started”

“The last few years have been difficult for everyone associated with the club but I believe we can have a bright future if we all pull in the right direction. One of the things I can immediately bring to the table is an extensive network of contacts that can assist with identifying the right type of players we need at this football club and who can help us on our journey back to the Premiership. Change won’t occur overnight but I believe that in conjunction with David and Lee that we’re putting in solid foundations to build this Club back to the levels it should be operating at.”

The Bairns had been keen on Jim Jefferies filling the role before he took up an advisory position at Hearts, but 37-year-old Gow is now poised join a boardroom of Kieran Koszary, Peter Duncan and chairman Gary Deans, plus a trio of recently appointed directors Colin McFarlane, Gordon Wright, Gordon Colborn who will be formally presented to shareholders at the next club AGM, and company secretary Ronnie Bateman.

That meeting is yet to have a date set but is pencilled in for the next couple of months and will also bring an end to Lex Miller’s latest tenure as director. The former interim chairman’s re-appointment vote was due at last year’s meeting but his term was extended by a further year until the 2019-20 AGM.