Fans react to Falkirk FC ending relationship with Falkirk Foundation amid various disputes including hub

Falkirk supporters on social media have been having their say on the football club’s split from the Falkirk Foundation, which was revealed by the Falkirk Herald on Wednesday night.

The foundation, previously the club’s official charity partner, claims that the football club’s board has ‘stalled plans’ to build a community hub, with the project now at risk amid a wide-ranging dispute including concerns over the ability to fulfil a fourth stand ambition.

The relationship between both parties is now at a point of no return - with Falkirk FC confirming that they have cut all ties with the Falkirk Foundation.

Things have moved on further with the foundation challenging yesterday what they say are “inaccuracies” within the football club’s statement.

Falkirk Foundation hit back at club statement

A section of that statement read: “On that key dispute regarding the Hope Street community hub, We are especially concerned by the impression given that our planned Hope Street Community Hub is an obstacle to the Club’s ambitions to develop a fourth stand at Falkirk Stadium.

“The Hub is a major charitable development, with planning permission, building approvals and substantial external funding already secured. It will provide much-needed facilities for education, employability, health, wellbeing and social inclusion.

“The land that the Hub will be built on is not owned by FFC, it is waste land owned by Falkirk Council and is not adjacent to the Stadium. The Hub has been designed as a modular building which can easily be dismantled and relocated easily.

“We have not been presented with evidence, plans, or any documentation demonstrating that the Hub would prevent the future construction of a fourth stand.”

The football club’s statement on Wednesday said that no further comment would be provided while “legal and regulatory processes continue”.

The Falkirk Herald understands that the football club’s position is that they offered to work with the foundation to construct the hub as part of a new fourth stand, which they rejected.

Over the past couple of days, before the Bairns’ Scottish Premiership clash against Kilmarnock, Falkirk fans have been reacting to the split online.

David McInally, who founded the Crunchie Initiative group that successfully campaigned to have the South Stand named after club legend Kevin McAllister, said that the fans and shareholders should have been properly consulted.

“The board shouldn’t have the authority to do this without consulting the fans and shareholders,” he said. “The foundation have done a great job representing the club in the community for many years and helped grow the clubs reputation by association.”

Ian Freestone added: “Quite sad that the club seem to be taking such an aggressive approach to the foundation, which seems to do lot of good work within the community. My own daughter has benefited from the foundation as well for a couple of years through various courses. Sad.”

On X, formerly Twitter, David Niblo asked the club’s Supporters Liaison Officer Team to “act as mediators” to try and get the split resolved. He added: “So sad it's came to this.”

The club confirmed in their own social media website-linked posts shortly after our exclusive story that the relationship had ended in what they said was a “necessary step” and that the club felt “compelled to act” after numerous disputes.

And on their feed, one supporter commented: “The club has relaunched its own official academy and is investing in youth development. That deserves recognition in this discussion.

“There’s a balance here between commercial ambitions and community interests. The foundation has seemingly done tremendous work, particularly when the club wasn’t in a position to support youth football itself.

“But now the club is moving forward, perhaps it’s time for the foundation to build on that success independently, while the club pursues its own development.

“Both setups can have a positive impact on the club going forward without remaining formally tied together. For me, protecting the ground for the elusive fourth stand is a no brainer. Sad that they've fallen out but life goes on.”

Falkirk fans show mixed reaction to split

Ross Wayne, who is co-host of the Falkirk Daft fan podcast, added: “There are three sides to every story, as usual. FFC, FFCF and then the real truth somewhere in the middle.”

With no personal connection to one of the sides however, if this is the route taken by people who I’ve stood shoulder to shoulder with on the terraces, I’ll trust it’s in the clubs best interest for now.

“As a lifelong Falkirk fan and a coach for the foundation, it is very disappointing to see this announcement,” one supporter said. “The shortsightedness in separating the club from the foundation is absolutely crazy.

“There is something to be said about the free promotion of the club through the badge, regardless of whether it is the academy or the foundation.

“This paves the way for any other football club to create an affiliation with the foundation, and reaping the benefits of the free promotion.

“I hope whoever has made the decision understands the holistic implications and has a viable solution to keep the wider Falkirk community engaged and not disillusioned.”

Another said: “Will be interesting to hear the complete story from both sides, but some of the comments regarding not allowing the kids to wear Falkirk tops and issues with copyright over the badge sounds very much like childish pettiness from the Club's side... irrespective of the differences between the two organisations.”