Today we're joined by Colin Cunningham, who gives us his guide to the Falkirk Bairns.
How would you assess your club's 22/23 season so far?
7 points off top spot isn’t ideal but there’s still a lot of football to be played. McGlynn has improved us a lot from last season however there have still been some bumps in the road. We’re scoring plenty of goals, but we could do with keeping more out and finding a way to win ugly. There’s a sense amongst the fanbase that we’re a bit soft.
Main Man: Favourite current player and why
Leon McCann. It’s been really pleasing to see such a big progression from last campaign when he was in and out the team and didn’t live up to his reputation from Airdrie. He’s got everything you want from a modern fullback; quick, good dribbler and likes to get forward. His goal against FC Edinburgh is already a frontrunner for goal of the season!
What is your earliest memory supporting your club?
My first game was the 1997 Scottish Cup semi-final! I’d been pestering my dad to go for ages and he finally caved due to the significance of the match. Kevin James’ equaliser is a bit hazy but the roar of the crowd when it went in was unbelievable. That was me hooked. I wasn’t allowed to go the replay as it was a school night so had to make do with refreshing Teletext - remember that?
Explain the nickname
Our nickname comes from an old saying: ‘Better meddle wi' the de'il than the Bairns o' Fa'kirk’. Deil is the Scots word for Devil and the implication is that we’re a bit wild. I can certainly attest to being in some boisterous away ends so maybe the tag is justified.
Almost Famous – What is your club best known for?
I think older fans remember Brockville as being a fearsome place to go as an away fan. Stands tight to the pitch and a raucous atmosphere with a big crowd in. The 4-0 over Hearts in 2003 is the best example of a good team getting completely overwhelmed and leaving with a bloody nose.
More recently I think people have associated us with being a club that is good at producing talent. We had an excellent crop that came through from 2010 onwards and I really hope the reintroduction of our academy can get us back to that. It’s a great feeling as a fan to see someone come all the way through the youth ranks and make it as a first-teamer.
Greatest Gaffer: Your favourite/most loved boss watching your team
He may have burnt some bridges in his final season, but I’ll still treasure the majority of John ‘Yogi’ Hughes’ reign. Our highest league finishes in my time supporting Falkirk and we played some excellent stuff with Latapy dictating the play.
Houston would be a close second. His teams never knew when they were beaten and we took some scalps in those Championship seasons when Hearts, Hibs, Rangers and Dundee Utd were down there.
Can you tell us one interesting fact about your club which other fans may not know?
Falkirk are the only Scottish team to ever break the World Transfer Record. We signed Syd Puddefoot from West Ham in 1922 for £5,000 (£225k in today’s money). There’s a cool story behind the transfer which Nutmeg covered a few years back.
Who would make your ultimate all-time 5-a-side team?
- Dani Mallo – The Spanish stopper made a huge impression in a short period of time in FK2. His performance against ICT in ’09 is the stuff of legend!
- Arnau Riera – A product of Barcelona’s La Masia academy. A technically fantastic midfielder who enjoyed a fruitful loan spell at Falkirk in the SPL.
- Russell Latapy – One of the all-time greats, Latapy looked as if he was playing a different sport at times. An incredible footballer.
- Kevin McAllister – Falkirk’s Player of the Millenium. Arguably the greatest player never to have been capped for Scotland. A wing wizard!
- Anthony Stokes – Lightning in a bottle. Stokes scored 16 times in 18 appearances on loan, including back-to-back hat-tricks – one of which was on derby day at East End Park.
What is your all-time favourite match?
The Hibs play-off would be a popular choice but I’m going for the Rangers games a few months earlier which also finished 3-2. They were dominant in the first half, and we looked dead and buried. An absolute worldie from Blair Alston sparked a comeback and we stole it late on with (guess who) Bob McHugh scoring the winner.
What should visiting fans make sure they see/do when visiting your club/town?
We get a lot of stick for the stadium being in the middle of nowhere but it’s actually only a 15-minute walk from the town which has a great selection of pubs pre-match. You’re also a stones-throw from the Kelpies which are well worth a visit when they’re lit up at night.
What makes your club special to YOU?
‘Expect the unexpected’ is a popular phrase amongst Falkirk fans and it probably sums up my favourite memories watching us. We’ve been in the Scottish Cup Final twice whilst in the second tier, pulled off some big upsets against the Glasgow and Edinburgh clubs and the Houston years were incredible for late comebacks.
You can follow Falkirk's progress every week in our SPFL Lower League Round Up - watch the latest edition now!
