Falkirk fans to own 25% stake in club

Falkirk fans are set to own 25% of the football club.

The Falkirk Supporters Society has been awarded a £350,000 interest-free loan as part of a new Scottish Government scheme.

Falkirk are the first club in Scotland to take part in the new programme.

It will be paid off over 20 years, through donations and monthly subscriptions.

During a visit to Falkirk, First Minister Humza Yousaf said:

“Scotland has some of the most passionate fans in the world, with more supporters per capita attending football matches than in any other European country.

“We care deeply about how our clubs perform both on and off the field, but while fans may have great ideas for how their club should be run, they may not have the funding to do so.

“The Scottish Government’s Fan Bank will change that and give fans of all sports real power to help influence the future of the clubs at the heart of Scottish communities.

“If fan groups can demonstrate a clear community focus, we believe they should be supported to buy a stake in their local club and in this instance the Fan Bank will allow Falkirk supporters to play an even greater role in decision-making at their club.

“Falkirk bring employment and other benefits to the community and I look forward to seeing other supporters across the country shape their own future through fan ownership and community proposals which the Scottish Government could consider supporting.”

Falkirk Supporters Society executive committee member, Paul Robertson, said:

“We are proud to be the first supporters’ organisation in Scotland to be granted such a loan by a government body to buy collective shares in our club. Falkirk has always been a progressive and forward thinking football club and our greater shareholding will allow ordinary supporters a say in the future direction of the club. We are grateful to the Scottish Government for their recognition of the Falkirk Supporters Society as a democratic, transparent and worthy recipient of these funds.”

Falkirk FC Board member Kenny Jamieson said: 

“The Board at Falkirk FC are 100% committed to fan-ownership and to working in partnership with supporters for the benefit of the club we all love. We see supporters’ involvement as essential in achieving our objective of making the club sustainably successful in the long-term. This new investment and partnership agreement provides a massive boost to everyone connected with Falkirk FC.”