Falkirk lose promotion battle

First Division champions Falkirk were today told they had lost their battle to win promotion to the Scottish Premier League.

The 12 top flight clubs met at Hampden Park this morning to vote on Falkirk’s proposal to be allowed to ground share with Airdrie United next season to meet SPL criteria.

Following a three-hour meeting where the club’s proposal was considered, Falkirk did not receive the seven votes needed to win their place in the SPL.

That means bottom side Motherwell hold on to their top flight status.

SPL chairman Lex Gold said: “Member clubs today considered in depth the proposals from Falkirk FC to move to and play their games at the Excelsior Stadium in Airdrie for season 2003/2004.

“Our members decided not to approve these proposals.”

Falkirk chairman Campbell Christie insists the club will now consider their options ahead of a possible appeal to the SPL.

He said in a club statement: “Naturally we are bitterly disappointed, because we put forward a robust case for promotion.

“Our legal advice, including an opinion from senior counsel, was that our interim stadium arrangement was robust.

“We will be asking the SPL to explain their decision.

“We will take stock of the situation and will consider our next steps in discussion with our lawyers”.

“This is a blow for the club, especially when our team won our division so convincingly and with work under way at our new stadium.

“We are sorry for our players and our fans, but we know that many of them will not be surprised by the SPL’s decision”.

“Until we decide how we will respond to the SPL decision, a period of uncertainty will remain that makes planning for next season even more difficult for the club”.