Stadium boost for Bairns

Falkirk are riding high at the top of Division One

Falkirk have taken another step closer to building a new community stadium and possible entry to the Scottish Premier League.

At a Wednesday meeting of Falkirk Council's Planning Department, permission was granted for the development of a superstore on the site at the Bairns' home, Brockville.

A petrol filling station and access for demolition construction traffic was also approved.

The current First Division leaders have been facing the prospect of being barred from winning promotion because their club do not have a 10,000 all-seater stadium.

However, money raised from the sale of Brockville should allow the club to build a new home in the nearby Westfield area.

Falkirk Chairman, Campbell Christie said, "We are delighted that these important consents were given.

"This enables Morrisons to forge ahead with their plans for Brockville that in turn will release capital for the new community stadium at Westfield.

"However we still have some issues to move on with Railtrack and we hope that these can be resolved in the very near future."

Falkirk boss Ian McCall wants a rule change

"At this stage our plans for Westfield have still to be ratified by the Council but we envisage that this will be done within the next few weeks."

Falkirk want a new 7,000-seat complex and the club have contingency plans to add temporary seating to make up the shortfall.

Speaking at the weekend, manager Ian McCall could not say for certain that such a measure would be accepted by the SPL.

Before Saturday's 4-4 draw away to St Mirren, he said: "There is, without a doubt, a chance."

Falkirk argue that the 10,000-capacity rule is now unrealistic because of the drop in attendances.

"When St Mirren were in the SPL, their biggest attendance was 8,000," said McCall.

"Gone are the days when Rangers and Celtic would fill away grounds.

"It is a ludicrous rule, so why perpetuate it?

"The climate of Scottish football has changed and there has to be some common sense."