2023–24 Falkirk F.C. season

The 2023–24 season was Falkirk's fifth season in League One following their relegation from the Championship at the end of the 2018–19 season. Falkirk also competed in the League Cup, Challenge Cup and the Scottish Cup.

Falkirk
2023–24 season
ManagerJohn McGlynn
StadiumFalkirk Stadium
League OneWinners
Scottish CupFourth round
Challenge CupSemi-final
League CupGroup stage
Top goalscorerLeague: Callumn Morrison (22)
All: Callumn Morrison (24)
Highest home attendance7,272, vs. Alloa Athletic, League One, 4 May 2024
Lowest home attendance1,779, vs. Peterhead, League Cup, 29 July 2023

Summary edit

Falkirk would exit the League Cup in the group stages, but would progress to the semi-final of the Challenge Cup, losing out on the final to Welsh champions The New Saints. They would also exit the Scottish Cup at the fourth round, losing to Bonnyrigg Rose.

John McGlynn would take charge of Falkirk for his second full season in charge, leading the club back to the Championship for the first time since 2019 as invincible title winners.[1]

McGlynn would be voted Manager of the Year at the PFA Scotland awards in May 2024.[2][3]

Results and fixtures edit

  Win   Draw   Loss   Postponed

Pre Season edit

27 June 2023 Civil Service Strollers 1–2 Falkirk Edinburgh
19:45 Lawson   16' Report Allan   70', 90' Stadium: Christie Gillies Park
4 July 2023 Bonnyrigg Rose 0–3 Falkirk Bonnyrigg
19:30 Report Oliver   24'
Morrison   37'
Honeyman   90'
Stadium: New Dundas Park
8 July 2023 Motherwell 2–2 Falkirk Dalziel Park
14:00 Spittal   20'
Slattery   63'
Report Oliver   2'
MacIver   77'
15 July 2023 Falkirk 1–2 Arbroath Falkirk
14:00 MacIver   6' Report Bird   20'
Baldé   60'
Stadium: Falkirk Stadium

Scottish League One edit

5 August 2023 1 Falkirk 3–0 Annan Athletic Falkirk
15:00 MacIver   58'
Morrison   63'
Nesbitt   79'
Report Stadium: Falkirk Stadium
Attendance: 4,056
Referee: Stewart Luke
12 August 2023 2 Cove Rangers 2–2 Falkirk Cove Bay
15:00 Kerr   51 pen.'
Burrell   72'
Report Gillingham   51 o.g.'
Allan   90+6'
Stadium: Balmoral Stadium
Attendance: 1,007
Referee: Steven Kirkland
22 August 2023 3 Falkirk 3–0 Stirling Albion Falkirk
19:45 Spencer   11'
Morrison   27 pen.'
MacIver   36'
Report Stadium: Falkirk Stadium
Attendance: 4,301
Referee: Chris Graham
26 August 2023 4 Alloa Athletic 1–4 Falkirk Alloa
17:30 Rodden   85' Report Miller   32'
Agyeman   45+1'
MacIver   64'
Lawal   90+1'
Stadium: Recreation Park
Attendance: 1,334
Referee: Calum Scott
2 September 2023 5 Edinburgh City 0–2 Falkirk Edinburgh
15:00 Report Agyeman   29'
Morrison   46'
Stadium: Meadowbank Stadium
Attendance: 996
Referee: Stewart Luke
16 September 2023 6 Falkirk 1–0 Queen of the South Falkirk
15:00 Spencer   88' Report Stadium: Falkirk Stadium
Attendance: 4,502
Referee: Colin Steven
23 September 2023 7 Kelty Hearts 1–5 Falkirk Kelty
17:30 Report Henderson   2'
Morrison   19 pen.', 33'
MacIver   73'
Nesbitt   80'
Stadium: New Central Park
Attendance: 1,128
Referee: Iain Snedden
30 September 2023 8 Falkirk 3–2 Montrose Falkirk
15:00 Oliver   62'
Morrison   71 pen.', 90+3'
Report Lyons   47'
Webster   85 pen.'
Stadium: Falkirk Stadium
Attendance: 4,093
Referee: George Calder
7 October 2023 9 Falkirk 0–0 Hamilton Academical Falkirk
17:30 Report Stadium: Falkirk Stadium
Attendance: 4,837
Referee: Euan Anderson
21 October 2023 10 Stirling Albion 1–2 Falkirk Stirling
15:00 Dunsmore   44' Report MacIver   5'
Spencer   83'
Stadium: Forthbank Stadium
Attendance: 2,390
Referee: Colin Whyte
28 October 2023 11 Falkirk 3–0 Alloa Athletic Falkirk
15:00 Agyeman   3', 23'
Donaldson   39'
Report Stadium: Falkirk Stadium
Attendance: 4,449
Referee: Duncan Williams
4 November 2023 12 Queen of the South 1–1 Falkirk Dumfries
15:00 Reilly   24' Report Lang   11' Stadium: Palmerston Park
Attendance: 1,498
Referee: Craig Napier
11 November 2023 13 Falkirk 2–1 Edinburgh City Falkirk
15:00 Nesbitt   40'
MacIver   66'
Report Murray   9' Stadium: Falkirk Stadium
Attendance: 4,282
Referee: Alastair Grieve
28 November 2023 14 Montrose 0–0 Falkirk Montrose
19:45 Report Stadium: Links Park
Attendance: 775
Referee: Gavin Duncan
9 December 2023 16 Falkirk 2–1 Kelty Hearts Falkirk
15:00 Nesbitt   41'
MacIver   76'
Report Bavidge   66' Stadium: Falkirk Stadium
Attendance: 3,921
Referee: Iain Snedden
16 December 2023 17 Hamilton Academical 1–3 Falkirk Hamilton
15:00 Smith   28' Report Morrison   23 pen.', 79'
Miller   32'
Stadium: New Douglas Park
Attendance: 3,821
Referee: Calum Scott
23 December 2023 18 Annan Athletic 0–3 Falkirk Annan
15:00 Report Donaldson   40'
Lang   56'
MacIver   67'
Stadium: Galabank
Attendance: 995
Referee: Steven Kirkland
30 December 2023 19 Falkirk 5–0 Stirling Albion Falkirk
15:00 Henderson   3'
Miller   13'
MacIver   16'
Brad Spencer   35'
Oliver   55'
Report Stadium: Falkirk Stadium
Attendance: 4,683
Referee: Craig Napier
6 January 2024 20 Falkirk 1–0 Queen of the South Falkirk
15:00 Nesbitt   46' Report Stadium: Falkirk Stadium
Attendance: 4,769
Referee: Chris Fordyce
9 January 2024 15 Falkirk 4–0 Cove Rangers Falkirk
19:45 Morrison   42', 65'
Henderson   47'
Oliver   86'
Report Stadium: Falkirk Stadium
Attendance: 4,411
Referee: George Calder
Note: Match postponed due to a frozen pitch.
13 January 2024 21 Edinburgh City 2–2 Falkirk Edinburgh
15:00 Flatman   28'
Faye   34'
Report Miller   53', 90+6 pen.' Stadium: Meadowbank Stadium
Attendance: 1,238
Referee: Iain Snedden
27 January 2024 22 Alloa Athletic 0–5 Falkirk Alloa
15:00 Report Morrison   25'
Miller   50'
Henderson   63'
Tait   80'
Shanley   89'
Stadium: Recreation Park
Attendance: 1,852
Referee: Peter Stuart
17 February 2024 24 Falkirk 3–2 Hamilton Academical Falkirk
15:00 Morrison   15'
MacIver   23'
Miller   27'
Report Rose   32', 57' Stadium: Falkirk Stadium
Attendance: 5,756
Referee: Colin Steven
20 February 2024 25 Falkirk 3–0 Montrose Falkirk
19:45 Machado   5 o.g.'
Nesbitt   20'
Oliver   90+3'
Report Stadium: Falkirk Stadium
Attendance: 4,197
Referee: Iain Snedden
24 February 2024 26 Kelty Hearts 0–1 Falkirk Kelty
15:00 Johnston   45' Report Lang   23' Stadium: New Central Park
Attendance: 1,437
Referee: Peter Stuart
2 March 2024 27 Falkirk 1–1 Annan Athletic Falkirk
15:00 Morrison   61' Report Muir   90+4' Stadium: Falkirk Stadium
Attendance: 4,693
Referee: Steven Kirkland
5 March 2024 23 Cove Rangers 0–1 Falkirk Cove Bay
19:45 Report Miller   83' Stadium: Balmoral Stadium
Attendance: 745
Referee: Chris Fordyce
9 March 2024 28 Stirling Albion 1–2 Falkirk Stirling
15:00 McLean   8' Report Morrison   17'
Oliver   88'
Stadium: Forthbank Stadium
Attendance: 2,800
Referee: Euan Anderson
16 March 2024 29 Queen of the South 1–4 Falkirk Dumfries
17:30 Report Morrison   59', 78 pen.'
Henderson   66'
Nesbitt   90'
Stadium: Palmerston Park
Attendance: 998
Referee: Gavin Duncan
23 March 2024 30 Falkirk 4–1 Edinburgh City Falkirk
15:00 Morrison   31 pen.', 45+2', 61', 81 pen.' Report Sambou   90' Stadium: Falkirk Stadium
Attendance: 5,864
Referee: Colin Whyte
30 March 2024 31 Montrose 1–7 Falkirk Montrose
17:30 Hester   31' Report MacIver   4', 49'
Nesbitt   21', 47'
Ross   33'
Agyeman   66'
Shanley   76'
Stadium: Links Park
Attendance: 3,042
Referee: Graham Grainger
6 April 2024 32 Falkirk 5–1 Cove Rangers Falkirk
17:30 Donaldson   13'
Morrison   25'
MacIver   50'
Tait   62'
Agyeman   90+2'
Report Kerr   34' Stadium: Falkirk Stadium
Attendance: 4,810
Referee: Peter Stuart
13 April 2024 33 Hamilton Academical 0–2 Falkirk Hamilton
17:30 Report MacIver   50'
Nesbitt   86'
Stadium: New Douglas Park
Attendance: 2,211
Referee: Craig Napier
20 April 2024 34 Falkirk 2–2 Kelty Hearts Falkirk
15:00 Miller   8'
Donaldson   17'
Morrison   32'
Report McCann   25 o.g.'
Lyon   33'
Stadium: Falkirk Stadium
Attendance: 4,607
Referee: Grant Irvine
27 April 2024 35 Annan Athletic 3–3 Falkirk Annan
15:00 Gibson   45+2 pen.', 76 pen.'
Smith   90'
Report Henderson   11', 48'
Nesbitt   61'
Stadium: Galabank
Attendance: 1,273
Referee: Duncan Williams
4 May 2024 36 Falkirk 2–2 Alloa Athletic Falkirk
15:00 Nesbitt   45+1'
Spencer   85 pen.'
Report Sammon   29', 45' Stadium: Falkirk Stadium
Attendance: 7,272
Referee: Calum Scott

Scottish League Cup edit

Group stage edit

18 July 2023 Group Stage The Spartans 1–2 Falkirk Edinburgh
19:45 Henderson   60' Report Lang   6'
MacIver   88'
Stadium: Ainslie Park
Attendance: 874
Referee: Duncan Williams
22 July 2023 Group Stage Partick Thistle 2–2
(6–7 p)
Falkirk Glasgow
15:00 Graham   68'
Lyon   90+3'
Report MacIver   14'
Spencer   67'
Agyeman   71'
Stadium: Firhill Stadium
Attendance: 2,607
Referee: Steven Kirkland
25 July 2023 Group Stage Falkirk 0–1 Dundee United Falkirk
19:45 Report Fotheringham   28' Stadium: Falkirk Stadium
Attendance: 3,186
Referee: David Munro
29 July 2023 Group Stage Falkirk 4–1 Peterhead Falkirk
15:00 Lang   29'
MacIver   45+2'
Agyeman   47'
Miller   56'
Report O'Keefe   6' Stadium: Falkirk Stadium
Attendance: 1,779
Referee: Alastair Grieve

Scottish Challenge Cup edit

5 September 2023 Third round Ayr United 0–1 Falkirk Ayr
19:45 Syla   70' Report Henderson   30' Stadium: Somerset Park
Attendance: 1,423
Referee: Steve Kirkland
14 October 2023 Fourth round Falkirk 1–0 Queen's Park Falkirk
15:00 Allan   6 pen.' Report Stadium: Falkirk Stadium
Attendance: 2,427
Referee: Scott Lambie
17 November 2023 Quarter-final Falkirk 4–2 Dundee United Falkirk
19:40 Morrison   4', 71'
Lang   65'
Yeats   69'
Report Cudjoe   23'
Watt   33'
Stadium: Falkirk Stadium
Attendance: 2,891
Referee: Grant Irvine
3 February 2024 Semi-final Falkirk 0–1   The New Saints Falkirk
19:40 Report Young   26' Stadium: Falkirk Stadium
Attendance: 3,582
Referee: Chris Graham

Scottish Cup edit

25 November 2023 Third round Falkirk 3–0 Formartine United Falkirk
15:00 Ross   34'
Miller   37'
MacIver   39'
Report Stadium: Falkirk Stadium
Attendance: 2,273
Referee: Jordan Curran
20 January 2024 Fourth round Bonnyrigg Rose 2–1 Falkirk Bonnyrigg
15:00 Doan   4'
Barrett   90'
Report Henderson   30' Stadium: New Dundas Park
Attendance: 1,801
Referee: Graham Grainger

Squad statistics edit

As of (UTC) 4 May 2024[4]
No. Pos Nat Player Total League One League Cup Challenge Cup Scottish Cup
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
1 GK   SCO Sam Long 25 0 19+0 0 4+0 0 1+0 0 1+0 0
2 DF   SCO Tom Lang 36 6 26+0 3 4+0 2 4+0 1 2+0 0
3 DF   SCO Leon McCann 42 0 31+2 0 2+1 0 4+0 0 2+0 0
4 MF   SCO Stephen McGinn 17 0 4+9 0 4+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0
5 DF   SCO Liam Henderson 38 9 28+2 7 0+2 0 4+0 1 2+0 1
6 DF   SCO Coll Donaldson 42 2 31+1 2 4+0 0 4+0 0 2+0 0
7 MF   SCO Callumn Morrison 40 25 32+0 23 4+0 0 2+0 2 2+0 0
8 MF   SCO Brad Spencer 41 5 32+2 5 3+0 0 2+1 0 1+0 0
10 MF   SCO Aidan Nesbitt 39 12 25+9 12 0+0 0 3+0 0 2+0 0
11 FW   GHA Alfredo Agyeman 42 8 12+21 6 4+0 2 1+2 0 0+2 0
14 MF   SCO Finn Yeats 44 1 31+3 0 4+0 0 4+0 1 2+0 0
15 MF   SCO Dylan Tait 15 2 10+5 2 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0
17 FW   SCO Ross MacIver 45 18 33+2 14 4+0 3 2+2 0 2+0 1
18 FW   SCO Gary Oliver 36 5 6+23 5 3+0 0 2+1 0 0+1 0
19 FW   SCO Ryan Shanley 17 2 2+14 2 0+0 0 0+1 0 0+0 0
20 DF   SCO Layton Bisland 15 0 6+5 0 0+0 0 1+2 0 0+1 0
21 FW   IRL Ola Lawal 18 1 0+10 1 2+2 0 2+1 0 0+1 0
23 MF   SCO Ethan Ross 33 2 9+22 1 0 0 0 0 1+1 1
26 DF   SCO Sean Mackie 19 0 11+3 0 2+0 0 0+2 0 0+1 0
29 MF   SCO Calvin Miller 40 11 26+5 9 0+4 1 2+1 0 2+0 1
31 GK   SCO Nicky Hogarth 21 0 17+0 0 0+0 0 3+0 0 1+0 0
34 FW   SCO Harrison Howe 1 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+1 0 0+0 0
Players who left the club during the 2023–24 season
9 FW   SCO Jordan Allan 22 2 1+14 1 0+2 0 2+1 1 0+2 0
22 DF   SCO Brad McKay 5 0 0+2 0 0+3 0 0+0 0 0+0 0
27 GK   SCO Owen Hayward 0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0
30 MF   SCO Scott Honeyman 3 0 0+2 0 0+0 0 0+1 0 0+0 0
32 MF   SCO Rhys Walker 2 0 0+1 0 0+0 0 0+1 0 0+0 0
33 DF   SCO Logan Sinclair 0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0

Team statistics edit

League table edit

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion, qualification or relegation
1 Falkirk (C, P) 36 27 9 0 96 28 +68 90 Promotion to the Championship
2 Hamilton Academical (O, P) 36 22 8 6 73 28 +45 74 Qualification for the Championship play-offs
3 Alloa Athletic 36 16 8 12 60 55 +5 56
4 Montrose 36 15 8 13 58 57 +1 53
5 Cove Rangers 36 14 7 15 58 63 −5 49
Source: [5]
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) Head-to-to head points; 5) Head-to-head goal difference; 6) Play-off (only for deciding promotion, play-off participation and relegation).[6]
(C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners; (P) Promoted

League cup table edit

Pos Team Pld W PW PL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification PAR FAL DUN SPA PET
1 Partick Thistle 4 2 1 1 0 7 5 +2 9 Qualification for the second round 2–2p 2–1
2 Falkirk 4 2 1 0 1 8 5 +3 8 0–1 4–1
3 Dundee United 4 2 0 0 2 5 3 +2 6 1–2 3–0
4 The Spartans 4 2 0 0 2 5 5 0 6 1–2 1–0
5 Peterhead 4 0 0 1 3 3 10 −7 1 1–1p 1–2
Source: [7]
Rules for classification: 1) goal difference, 2) goals scored, 3) away goals scored, 4) matches won, 5) away matches won, 6) drawing of lots.[8]

Transfers edit

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Falkirk's unbeaten season 'top' of McGlynn's career". BBC Sport. 4 May 2024. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  2. ^ "McGlynn crowned manager of the year after unbeaten season". BBC Sport. 5 May 2024. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  3. ^ "PFA Scotland awards in FULL as Lawrence Shankland crowned Player of the Year and 10 other gongs dished out". Football Scotland. 5 May 2024. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  4. ^ "Falkirk 2023/2024 player appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
  5. ^ "cinch League One Table". Scottish Professional Football League. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
  6. ^ "The Rules of the Scottish Professional Football League" (PDF). SPFL. pp. 38–39. Retrieved 20 October 2019.
  7. ^ "Summary - League Cup Group B". Soccerway. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  8. ^ "Format". SPFL. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
  9. ^ "ALFREDO AGYEMAN AGREES DEAL". falkirkfc.co.uk. Falkirk FC. 12 May 2023. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
  10. ^ "ROSS MACIVER JOINS THE BAIRNS!". falkirkfc.co.uk. Falkirk FC. 25 May 2023. Retrieved 26 May 2023.
  11. ^ "NICKY HOGARTH RETURNS TO FALKIRK!". falkirkfc.co.uk. Falkirk FC. 12 June 2023. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  12. ^ "TOM LANG IS A BAIRN!". falkirkfc.co.uk. Falkirk FC. 15 June 2023. Retrieved 15 June 2023.
  13. ^ "CALVIN MILLER JOINS THE BAIRNS!". falkirkfc.co.uk. Falkirk FC. 15 June 2023. Retrieved 15 June 2023.
  14. ^ "Brad Spencer Signs!". falkirkfc.co.uk. Falkirk FC. 15 June 2023. Retrieved 15 June 2023.
  15. ^ "Ryan Shanley Signs!". falkirkfc.co.uk. Falkirk FC. 18 December 2023. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
  16. ^ "Keelan Adams Signs!". falkirkfc.co.uk. Falkirk FC. 2 February 2024. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  17. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "SQUAD UPDATE". Falkirk FC. Retrieved 17 May 2022.
  18. ^ "Rumarn Burrell Is Latest New Face". coverangersfc.com. Cove Rangers FC. 16 June 2023. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
  19. ^ "Steven Hetherington returns". alloaathletic.co.uk. Alloa Athletic FC. 15 June 2023. Retrieved 15 June 2023.
  20. ^ "Finlay Malcolm". twitter.com. Bo'ness United FC. 6 July 2023. Retrieved 8 July 2023.
  21. ^ "SIGNING NEWS - Paddy Martin". Bonnyrigg Rose FC. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
  22. ^ "Welcome - Craig McGuffie". qosfc.com. QOS FC. 14 June 2023. Retrieved 15 June 2023.
  23. ^ "Morrison in". alloaathletic.co.uk. Alloa Athletic FC. 15 June 2023. Retrieved 15 June 2023.
  24. ^ "Sneddon and Graham back at Shielfield for 2023/24". Berwick Rangers FC. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
  25. ^ "Welcome Lennon Walker". Tranent Juniors. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
  26. ^ "Falkirk FC: Defender Ryan Williamson signs pre-contract agreement with League 1 rivals". Falkirk Herald. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
  27. ^ "Pearse Carroll departs". Falkirk FC. 29 August 2023. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  28. ^ "Sam Long signs on loan". falkirkfc.co.uk. Falkirk FC. 22 June 2023. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
  29. ^ "Layton Bisland signs on loan". falkirkfc.co.uk. Falkirk FC. 31 August 2023. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  30. ^ "Ethan Ross joins Falkirk on loan". falkirkfc.co.uk. Falkirk FC. 14 September 2023. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
  31. ^ "Dylan Tait signs on loan". falkirkfc.co.uk. Falkirk FC. 22 January 2024. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
  32. ^ "Owen Hayward joins Penicuik Athletic on loan". falkirkfc.co.uk. Falkirk FC. 14 September 2023. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
  33. ^ "Scott Honeyman returns to East Stirlingshire on loan". falkirkfc.co.uk. Falkirk FC. 26 September 2023. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
  34. ^ "Rhys Walker joins Camelon Juniors on loan". falkirkfc.co.uk. Falkirk FC. 29 September 2023. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
  35. ^ "Logan Sinclair joins Tynecastle FC on loan". falkirkfc.co.uk. Falkirk FC. 9 October 2023. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
  36. ^ "Brad McKay joins Kelty". falkirkfc.co.uk. Falkirk FC. 19 January 2024. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
  37. ^ "Jordan Allan joins Clyde on loan". falkirkfc.co.uk. Falkirk FC. 23 January 2024. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  38. ^ "Ola Lawal joins Cove Rangers on loan". falkirkfc.co.uk. Falkirk FC. 24 January 2024. Retrieved 24 January 2024.