Thousands of people have backed the Falkirk Herald’s campaign calling for its local football team to be allowed promotion to the Scottish Premierleague.

In less than two weeks more than four thousand people have rushed to sign the Herald’s petition calling for Justice For The Bairns.

And its campaign has also received the full backing of the club and a number of high profile personalities such as Sir Alex Ferguson and Scottish First Minister Jack McConnell.

Falkirk FC clinched the First Division title with three matches still to play but still might not get into the top division as its Brockville stadium does not meet SPL standards.

Work has now started on a new state-of-the-art stadium but it will not be ready until the start of the 2004-05 season.

And although the club has agreed to use the Shyberry Excelsior Stadium in Airdrie next season, a bizarre rule means that because Falkirk don’t own the ground a vote will be taken on whether they should be allowed up.

Herald reporter Brian Marjoribanks, who is leading the campaign, said: “Scottish football is dying on its feet but the league bosses seem intent on delivering the final fatal blow.

“Falkirk have a talented team on the park, and a large loyal support off it who would give the Premierleague a badly needed shot in the arm.”

The newspaper has also been running an opinion poll on its website, with a massive 94 per cent of voters calling on the team to be promoted.

Brian said: “The Falkirk Herald team will be travelling to the Scottish Premierleague headquarters at Hampden Park before the decision is made on May 23 to show the volume of support from Falkirk and beyond.

“We call on all football fans, not just Falkirk supporters, to join our campaign and make a difference to Scottish football.”

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