The Falkirk Herald has launched a campaign to allow its local football team promotion to the Scottish Premier League.

Falkirk FC clinched the First Division title with three matches still to play but still might not get into the top division.

The club’s Brockville stadium does not meet SPL standards and, although work has now started on a the state-of-the-art stadium on the outskirts of the town, it will not be ready until the start of the 2004-05 season.

Falkirk have reached agreement to use the Shyberry Excelsior Stadium in Airdrie next season but, while it fulfils SPL criteria, a bizarre rule means that, because Falkirk don’t own the ground, a vote will be taken on whether they should be allowed up.

The Herald is urging readers to make Scottish Premier League chiefs see sense and allow the club promotion.

The newspaper has drawn up a petition (above) calling on those in blazers to show they have not lost touch with the people they serve. It aims to collect as many signatures as possible to show them it would be a blunder to deny Falkirk a top-flight place.

The first weekend of the campaign saw over 700 people sign up and the Herald has been backed by some top names.

Sir Alex Ferguson, himself a former Falkirk player, believes it would be a “shame” if they were denied promotion.

And Falkirk legends David Weir and Simon Stainrod also stepped into the ring to back the ‘Bairns’.

He said: “I am 100 per cent behind Falkirk being allowed up because they meet all the requirements. The guys in suits would be robbing fans of ALL teams, not just Falkirk.”

Everton defender Weir added: “I think Falkirk should be promoted and I would feel really sorry for the fans if they were denied a place. I don’t see why they shouldn’t be allowed up.”

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