Latest news with #ScottArfield
STV News
22-05-2025
- Sport
- STV News
Scott Arfield signs new Falkirk deal ahead of Premiership return
Scott Arfield has signed a new deal to extend his stay at Falkirk following their return to the Premiership. The 36-year-old midfielder, who helped John McGlynn's side to the Championship title, has put pen to paper on a one-year extension. He will now continue to add some experience to an otherwise young squad in the Bairns' first season back in the top-flight in 15 years. The former Rangers, Burnley, and Huddersfield star, who has 20 caps for Canada, joined Falkirk from Bolton on an initial short-term contract in February and scored nine goals in the title-winning campaign. When the new deal was confirmed on Wednesday, PFA Manager of the Year McGlynn said: 'We're delighted Scott will be with us for our first season in the Premiership in 15 years. 'Scott made a huge impact after joining us, the nine goals he got went a long way to helping us achieve our goal. 'Scott has been very influential on the pitch and also off the pitch where his experience has helped us no end. 'We look forward to working with Scott in the Premiership next season, it's exciting times ahead for everyone at the club.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
BBC News
21-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Arfield agrees Falkirk stay for Premiership return
Scott Arfield has opted to remain with Falkirk for their return to the Scottish Premiership return after signing a one-year 36-year-old midfielder rejoined his first club on a short-term contract in February, helping to seal the Championship title win with nine goals in 13 former Burnley and Rangers player left Falkirk to join Huddersfield when the club was relegated from the top flight in he will be part of John McGlynn's squad as they end that 15-year absence."Scott made a huge impact after joining us, the nine goals he got went a long way to helping us achieve our goal," manager McGlynn told the Bairns' website."Scott has been very influential on the pitch and also off the pitch where his experience has helped us no end."We look forward to working with Scott in the Premiership next season, it's exciting times ahead for everyone at the club."
Scottish Sun
20-05-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Successful Scottish football academy RELAUNCHES seven years after shock decision to axe it
FALKIRK's relaunching its famed youth academy, fresh after sealing Scottish Premiership football next season. The academy, which produced the likes of Scott Arfield, Jay Fulton and Craig Sibbald, was axed in 2017 due to cost cutting measures at the club. 3 Academy graduate Scott Arfield returns to Falkirk to help them win the Scottish Championship Credit: PA 3 Jay Fulton plays for Swansea City in the Championship in England Credit: Getty 3 Dundee United's Craig Sibbald started out at Falkirk Credit: Willie Vass The focus then switched to the 'Brentford model' looking at data to identify undervalued players with the hope of developing them and selling them on for profit. But it spectacularly backfired and saw the side relegated to League One, where they would remain for several seasons. The appointment of manager John McGlynn sparked a revival in fortunes, which saw the Bairns secure back to back promotions. They went the season unbeaten in League One in 2023-2024 before clinching the Championship title on the final day of this campaign. And it was one of their former academy stars Arfield who helped get them there after he rejoined the club in January. Chief executive Jamie Swinney said: "The first team's success has given the club it's heart back, the Academy returns its soul. "Re-establishing the Academy has been an issue raised by fans continuously as a priority. "Our aim was to get into the Premiership and bring back our Academy in time for the 150th anniversary. 'This is, however a significant financial commitment. "We can afford to run the Academy in the Premiership but need to commit long-term. Scott Arfield sends fans wild as music-daft Rangers hero performs 'sensational' cover of huge number one hit "Premiership clubs' decision to refuse to share UEFA solidarity money with the Championship makes professional youth football at that level very difficult." Swinney added that the cost of re-establishing the academy at Performance Level is £320,000. Head of the Academy, Tony Begg said: "I am delighted that Falkirk's Academy is returning. "Performance Level status will bring the Falkirk Academy back to a similar level in Scotland's Academy system prior to its closure in 2017. 'We will now create teams from Under-11 to Under-19 level by July, which means signing over 100 players and hiring several qualified coaches and other support, such as physiotherapists and performance specialists. 'The Academy will play at Performance Level against Ayr United, Dundee, Dunfermline, Livingston, Morton, Inverness, Partick Thistle, Ross County, and St Johnstone, with home games taking place at the Falkirk Stadium.' Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Daily Record
10-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Falkirk academy could be back one year early as Premiership return puts Bairns ahead of schedule
Having achieved promotion ahead of schedule, the club stand poised to accelerate the return of their once-lauded academy setup Falkirk return to the Premiership has raised the very real prospect of their renowned youth academy being revived a year early. Fan favourite Scott Arfield and Hearts defender Stephen Kingsley were among a litany of talents to come out of Bairns' set-up. But the plug was pulled on the then Forth Valley Youth Academy – which Stenhousemuir and East Stirlingshire also fed into – at the end of 2017 in an attempt to focus on getting back to the Premiership. Only seven-and-a-half years on have the Bairns done so with back-to-back promotions, having spent five of the past six seasons languishing in the third tier. The Under-16s and 18s have continued up to now, both winning their leagues this term as well. Falkirk chief exec Jamie Swinney told Record Sport 12 months ago 'our aim is to try to be in the Premiership and introduce the full academy in 2026-27'. And having achieved the first of those a year sooner, the club stand poised to accelerate the latter too. Swinney, appointed CEO in 2021, said: 'Our ambition has always been to get the academy back up to what it was, which is a performance level. 'Getting to the Premiership allows us to consider accelerating that. We had always said 2026-27 but we're now giving serious consideration to going in a year early. 'And we do believe that, as part of our long-term strategy, it has been and will be a key focus. So we're in the process of looking at that just now.' You can get all the news you need on our dedicated Rangers and Celtic pages, and sign up to our newsletters to make sure you never miss a beat throughout the season. We're also on WhatsApp where we bring all the latest breaking news and transfer gossip directly to you phone. Join our Rangers community here and our Celtic community here.
Scottish Sun
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Falkirk chief could mount legal challenge against SPFL as he opens up on Rangers hero Scott Arfield's future
LEGAL BATTLE Falkirk chief could mount legal challenge against SPFL as he opens up on Rangers hero Scott Arfield's future FALKIRK are considering challenging the decision to ban artificial pitches from the Scottish Premiership as they prepare to return to the top flight next season. Premiership clubs voted in May to ditch synthetic surfaces by the 2026/27 campaign. Advertisement 2 Falkirk currently have an artificial surface Credit: SNS 2 They will be back in the top flight next season after back-to-back title wins Credit: PA That allows Falkirk to play on their current plastic surface next season but they will need to scrap the turf and lay down a grass pitch in the next year under the current ruling. However, Bairns chief executive Jamie Swinney has refused to rule out a challenge to the ban which will soon be in place. John McGlynn's side are one of seven clubs in talks with the SFA over a package of interest free loans and grants to assist with the cost of transforming the surface when the time comes. Airdrie, Cove Rangers, Hamilton, Livingston, Queen of the South and Raith Rovers are also seeking financial aid. Advertisement But Swinney says there's a possibility clubs could ask independent arbitration tribunal to review the decision under Article 99 of the SFA rules. "Arbitration is not off the table,' Swinney told the Herald. 'We had a good chat with the Scottish FA about the issue. Mike (Mulraney) and Ian (Maxwell) were very honest, as they would be and the SPFL know that we are still considering arbitration." He continued: 'If we had 12 pristine grass pitches in the Premiership you would understand the ban,' adds Swinney Advertisement 'But we live in a wet country with not much sunlight and not a lot of resource. 'We can't afford grow lights and can't afford to be ripping up a pitch and replacing it every year for £1.5million. Falkirk boss John McGlynn on his one remaining management dream and how his PLUMBING skills were put to use 'So when you put all of that into context you have to ask, 'is it actually the right decision?' 'Taking all of that aside we have tried to obtain some kind of softer landing. Advertisement 'This club was almost in administration, we were on the verge of part-time football. 'We spent £350,000 on a pitch a couple of years ago and it's the top level artificial pitch which is fine for the Champions League. We maintain it well, we look after it well. 'It's not just as easy for us to say, 'right, let's spend £1.2million on this pitch.' We don't have that money. 'So we are looking for a bit of support, be that an extra year to allow us to build up enough cash reserves. Can we get an interest free loan or a grant? Can we get these things? Advertisement 'We hope we can come to a reasonable agreement to avoid arbitration.' Swinney also revealed the club are weighing up a stunning contract extension for fan favourite Scott Arfield. Moment Falkirk heroes celebrate Championship victory in jubilant nightclub bash The Rangers hero returned to his boyhood club in February on a six-month deal, with an option for a further year. The veteran helped the Bairns over the line in the title race with nine goals in 13 appearances and Swinner insists the club would be "crazy" not to keep him. Advertisement He said: 'He was 38 seconds into his second debut and he hadn't touched the ball and when the ball rolls to him in the 18-yard box he did what he has done his whole career. "Composure, quality and his first goal before he goes on to score a hat-trick. It was Roy of the Rovers stuff. 'He is a hero to fans, what he has brought in terms of goals speaks for itself. 'And what he added off the park is probably more valuable still. Advertisement 'We have an option on Scott and I think we would be absolutely crazy to not do everything we can to keep him here next season. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
