They failed to meet the criteria by the end on March and the SPL made the decision to refuse their admission. Cries of “It’s no fair!” begin.
They engaged in a huge campaign of media manipulation and persuaded the SFA to examine the decision making process. They agreed that the result would be binding - “All parties accepted the jurisdiction of the SFA to deal with the matter”.
Late on Thursday their appeal was refused. And by Friday morning the familiar cries began again - “It’s no fair!”. Yet again the media circus played their tune. TV crews photographed the dismantling of Brockville and showed the building site that will (eventually) be the new ground. Falkirk High Street was full of radio and television crews taking the views of the ‘outraged’ locals. Denis Canavan ranted and raved about ‘great sporting injustice’ – and ignored the inconvenient fact that the rules were properly implemented.
There should be only two courses of action open to the Falkirk board. Either they attempt to persuade the SPL to alter their entry criteria (and these changes take effect at the end of season 2003/4) or they concentrate on winning the First Division league next season and make the step up to the SPL together with their new stadium.
But I have a terrible feeling that the whining, moaning, grumbling, complaining and carping will continue – with any luck the media will tire of the campaign and let us enjoy the summer break in peace!