2019–20 Falkirk F.C. season

The 2019–20 season was Falkirk’s first 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. On 13 March 2020 all SPFL competitions were indefinitely suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic.[1]

Falkirk
2019–20 season
ChairmanGary Deans
ManagerRay McKinnon
(until 16 November)
David McCracken & Lee Miller
(from 19 November)
StadiumFalkirk Stadium
League OneSecond Place
(As of 15 April 2020)
League CupGroup Stage
Challenge CupThird Round
Scottish CupFifth Round
Top goalscorerLeague: Declan McManus (19)
All: Declan McManus (24)
Highest home attendance5,976 vs. Hearts, Scottish Cup, 8 February 2020
Lowest home attendance1,706 vs. Celtic U21s, Challenge Cup, 13 August 2019
Average home league attendance3,713

Summary

Falkirk began the season on 3 August 2019 and was scheduled to end on 2 May 2020.[2] On 8 April 2020, the SPFL proposed to end the 2019–20 season by utilising a points per game ratio to determine the final standings.[3] The plan was approved on 15 April 2020, declaring that the season was over, with Raith Rovers being named as title winners and relegating Stranraer to League Two.[4]

Management

Falkirk began the 2019–20 season under the management of Ray McKinnon who had been appointed midway through the previous season. On 16 November, McKinnon left his position as manager with the club in fourth place.[5] Former Falkirk player David McCracken and striker Lee Miller were appointed as replacement co-managers on 19 November on an interim basis before being installed permanently on 13 December.[6][7]

Results and fixtures

  Win   Draw   Loss   Postponed

Pre Season
2 July 2019 Falkirk0 – 2Hamilton AcademicalUniversity of Stirling
15:00 Report
6 July 2019 Falkirk2 – 2Partick ThistleUniversity of Stirling
15:00 Connolly
Trialist 		Report Bannigan
Mansell
10 July 2019 Brechin City0 – 3FalkirkGlebe Park, Brechin
19:45 Report Johnstone  10'
Sammon  59 pen.'
Trialist  61'

Scottish League One
Main article: 2019–20 Scottish League One
3 August 2019 1Peterhead0 – 0FalkirkBalmoor Stadium, Peterhead
15:00 Report
Attendance: 1,513
Referee: Colin Steven
10 August 2019 2Falkirk6 – 0DumbartonFalkirk Stadium, Falkirk
15:00
Report
Attendance: 4,060
Referee: Graham Beaton
17 August 2019 3Falkirk2 – 1MontroseFalkirk Stadium, Falkirk
15:00
Report
Attendance: 3,736
Referee: Steven Reid
24 August 2019 4Clyde1 – 0FalkirkBroadwood Stadium, Cumbernauld
15:00
  • Mark Lamont  34'
  • Grant  51'
 Report
Attendance: 2,048
Referee: David Lowe
31 August 2019 5Airdrieonians0 – 0FalkirkExcelsior Stadium, Airdrie
15:00 Report
Attendance: 1,888
Referee: David Dickinson
14 September 2019 6Falkirk3 – 0Forfar AthleticFalkirk Stadium, Falkirk
15:00
Report
Attendance: 3,663
Referee: Barry Cook
21 September 2019 7Stranraer0 – 3FalkirkStair Park, Stranraer
15:00 Report
Attendance: 549
Referee: Grant Irvine
28 September 2019 8Falkirk0 – 0East FifeFalkirk Stadium, Falkirk
15:00
Report
Attendance: 3,933
Referee: David Dickinson
5 October 2019 9Raith Rovers2 – 2FalkirkStark's Park, Kirkcaldy
15:00
Report
Attendance: 2,756
Referee: Scott Lambie
19 October 2019 10Falkirk4 – 0PeterheadFalkirk Stadium, Falkirk
15:00
Report
Attendance: 3,289
Referee: Grant Irvine
26 October 2019 11Falkirk0 – 1ClydeFalkirk Stadium, Falkirk
15:00
Report
Attendance: 4,021
Referee: Mike Roncone
2 November 2019 12Forfar Athletic0 – 2FalkirkStation Park, Forfar
15:00
Report
Attendance: 998
Referee: Kevin Graham
9 November 2019 13Falkirk1 – 2AirdrieoniansFalkirk Stadium, Falkirk
15:00
Report
Attendance: 4,000
Referee: Steven Kirkland
16 November 2019 14Dumbarton1 – 1FalkirkDumbarton Football Stadium, Dumbarton
15:00
Report
Attendance: 982
Referee: Barry Cook
30 November 2019 15Falkirk3 – 0StranraerFalkirk Stadium, Falkirk
15:00
Report Attendance: 3,488
Referee: Steven Reid
7 December 2019 16East Fife0 – 0FalkirkBayview Stadium, Methil
15:00
  • Patrick Slattery  31'
 Report
Attendance: 1,182
Referee: Craig Napier
14 December 2019 17Falkirk1 – 1Raith RoversFalkirk Stadium, Falkirk
15:00
Report
Attendance: 4,024
Referee: Gavin Ross
21 December 2019 18Montrose2 – 3FalkirkLinks Park, Montrose
15:00
  • Paul Watson  23'
  • Terry Masson  67'
  • Webster  85' (pen.)
 Report
Attendance: 1,095
Referee: Gavin Duncan
28 December 2019 19Airdrieonians1 – 1FalkirkExcelsior Stadium, Airdrie
15:00
Report
Attendance: 2,530
Referee: David Dickinson
4 January 2020 20Falkirk3 – 0DumbartonFalkirk Stadium, Falkirk
15:00
Report
Attendance: 3,807
Referee: Euan Anderson
11 January 2020 21Peterhead1 – 3FalkirkBalmoor Stadium, Peterhead
15:00
Report
Attendance: 886
Referee: Steven Reid
25 January 2020 22Falkirk6 – 0Forfar AthleticFalkirk Stadium, Falkirk
15:00
Report
Attendance: 3,522
Referee: Craig Napier
1 February 2020 23Stranraer1 – 1FalkirkStair Park, Stranraer
15:00 Thomson  52' Report Connolly  31' Attendance: 546
Referee: John McKendrick
18 February 2020 24Falkirk2 – 0East FifeFalkirk Stadium, Falkirk
19:45 Doyle  72'
McManus  77'		 Report Attendance: 3,376
Referee: Steven Reid
22 February 2020 25Falkirk1 – 0MontroseFalkirk Stadium, Falkirk
15:00 McManus  40 pen.'  70' Report Attendance: 3,561
Referee: Grant Irvine
29 February 2020 26Clyde3 – 2FalkirkBroadwood Stadium, Cumbernauld
15:00 Lamont  3'
Goodwillie  43 pen.', 53'		 Report Telfer  45+1 pen.'
Longridge  90'		 Attendance: 1,784
Referee: David Dickinson
3 March 2020 27Raith Rovers1 – 1FalkirkStark's Park, Kirkcaldy
15:00 MacLean  47' Report McManus  69' Attendance: 3,235
Referee: Peter Stuart
7 March 2020 28Falkirk3 – 0PeterheadFalkirk Stadium, Falkirk
15:00 Miller  9'
McManus  25 pen.', 61'		 Report Attendance: 3,507
Referee: Craig Napier

Scottish League Cup
Main article: 2019–20 Scottish League Cup § Group G

Group Stage

Results

13 July 2019 1Falkirk1 – 1
(3 – 4 p)		LivingstonFalkirk Stadium, Falkirk
15:00
Report
Attendance: 2,121
Referee: Alan Muir
16 July 2019 2Falkirk1 – 0StranraerFalkirk Stadium, Falkirk
19:45
Report
Attendance: 1,838
Referee: Chris Fordyce
20 July 2019 3Ayr United2 – 1FalkirkSomerset Park, Ayr
15:00
Report
Attendance: 1,605
Referee: Barry Cook
23 July 2019 4Berwick Rangers0 – 3FalkirkShielfield Park, Berwick-upon-Tweed
19:45
  • Lewis Barr  30'
  • Jack Cook  65'
 Report
Attendance: 509
Referee: Steven Kirkland
Pos Team Pld W PW PL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification LIV AYR FAL STR BER
1 Livingston (Q) 4 3 1 0 0 10 3 +7 11 Qualification for the Second Round — 2–1 — — 5–0
2 Ayr United 4 2 0 1 1 12 5 +7 7 — — 2–1 2–2p —
3 Falkirk 4 2 0 1 1 6 3 +3 7 1–1p — — 1–0 —
4 Stranraer 4 1 1 0 2 9 5 +4 5 1–2 — — — 6–0
5 Berwick Rangers 4 0 0 0 4 0 21 −21 0 — 0–7 0–3 — —
Source: [8]
Rules for classification: 1) goal difference, 2) goals scored, 3) away goals scored, 4) matches won, 5) away matches won, 6) drawing of lots.[9]
(Q) Qualified to the phase indicated.

Scottish Challenge Cup
Main article: 2019–20 Scottish Challenge Cup
13 August 2019 Second RoundFalkirk1 – 1
(6 – 5 p)		Celtic U21Falkirk Stadium, Falkirk
19:45
Report
Attendance: 1,706
Referee: David Dickinson
7 September 2019 Third RoundRaith Rovers2 – 0FalkirkStark's Park, Kirkcaldy
15:00
  • Regan Hendry  17' (pen.)  35'  50' (pen.)
 Report
Attendance: 1,771
Referee: Greg Aitken

Scottish Cup
Main article: 2019–20 Scottish Cup
22 November 2019 Third RoundLinlithgow Rose1 – 4FalkirkPrestonfield, Linlithgow
19:05
  • Tommy Coyne  20'
  • Sam Collumbine  89'
 Report
Attendance: 1,720
Referee: Grant Irvine
18 January 2020 Fourth RoundArbroath0 – 0FalkirkGayfield Park, Arbroath
15:00
Summary
Attendance: 1,733
Referee: Greg Aitken
28 January 2020 Fourth Round ReplyFalkirk2 – 0ArbroathFalkirk Stadium, Falkirk
19:45
Report
Attendance: 2,704
Referee: Euan Anderson
8 February 2020 Fifth RoundFalkirk0 – 1Heart of MidlothianFalkirk Stadium, Falkirk
19:20
Report
Attendance: 5,976
Referee: John Beaton

Player statistics
As of 15 April 2020 (UTC)[10]
No. Pos Nat Player TotalChampionshipLeague CupScottish CupOther
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
2 DF Michael Doyle 37328+034+004+001+00
3 DF Paul Dixon 37228+014+004+011+00
4 DF Gregor Buchanan 35025+004+004+002+00
5 DF Mark Durnan 30221+123+004+001+00
6 MF Morgaro Gomis 30220+213+004+011+00
7 MF Aidan Connolly 34417+844+003+000+20
8 MF Ian McShane 2109+503+101+002+00
9 FW Declan McManus 342426+0193+034+020+10
10 FW Denny Johnstone 1410+702+210+102+00
12 GK Calum Ferrie 000+000+000+000+00
14 MF Louis Longridge 28618+650+001+102+01
15 DF Ben Hall 626+020+000+000+00
16 DF Gary Miller 21015+100+003+002+00
17 FW Robbie Leitch 700+301+100+002+00
18 FW Conor Sammon 351017+1061+114+030+20
19 MF Josh Todd 603+100+001+100+00
20 FW Aidan Laverty 000+000+000+000+00
21 MF Charlie Telfer 29415+543+102+101+10
23 MF Raffaele De Vita 903+400+000+200+00
29 FW David McMillan 22412+740+000+300+00
31 GK Robbie Mutch 26017+102+004+002+00
99 FW Lee Miller 411+310+000+000+00
Players who left the club during the 2019–20 season
1 GK Cammy Bell 13011+000+002+000+00
11 MF Ross MacLean 1100+701+100+101+00
12 MF Michael Tidser 1409+003+100+100+00
15 DF Lewis Toshney 1207+101+201+000+00
19 MF Lewis Moore 400+200+000+002+00

Team Statistics

League table
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts PPG Promotion, qualification or relegation[lower-alpha 1]
1 Raith Rovers (C) 28 15 8 5 49 33 +16 53 1.89 Promotion to the Championship
2 Falkirk 28 14 10 4 54 18 +36 52 1.86
3 Airdrieonians 28 14 6 8 38 27 +11 48 1.71
4 Montrose 28 15 2 11 48 38 +10 47 1.68
5 East Fife 28 12 9 7 44 36 +8 45 1.61
Source: SPFL
Rules for classification: 1) Points per game.
(C) Champion.
Notes:
  1. All play-off matches were cancelled, as clubs voted to curtail the season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[11]

Division summary
Round12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728
GroundAHHAAHAHAHHAHAHAHAAHAHAHHAAH
ResultDWWLDWWDDWLWLDWDDWDWWWDWWLDW
Position7313433333313433443322222222
Updated to match(es) played on 15 April 2020. Source: [12]
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Transfers

See also

References
  1. "Coronavirus joint response group update". Scottish Professional Football League. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
  2. "Key dates for 2019/20". SPFL. 17 April 2019. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
  3. "SPFL: Clubs to vote on lower leagues; Premiership decision on hold". BBC Sport. BBC. 8 April 2020. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  4. "Dundee Utd, Raith & Cove win titles & reconstruction talks start after Dundee vote". BBC Sport. BBC. 15 April 2020. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  5. "Falkirk: Ray McKinnon sacked with club fourth place in League One". BBC Sport. BBC. 16 November 2019. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  6. "Falkirk: Lee Miller and David McCracken appointed interim coaching team". BBC Sport. BBC. 19 November 2019. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  7. "Falkirk confirm Lee Miller and David McCracken until end of season". BBC Sport. BBC. 13 December 2019. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  8. "Summary - League Cup Group G". Soccerway. Retrieved 4 August 2019.
  9. "Format". SPFL. Retrieved 15 June 2017.
  10. "Falkirk 2018/2019 player appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  11. "Dundee Utd, Raith & Cove win titles and reconstruction talks start after Dundee vote". BBC Sport. 15 April 2020. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  12. "Scottish Championship 2019/20". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  13. "Gregor Buchanan - Back with the Bairns". falkirkfc.co.uk. Falkirk FC. 10 June 2019. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  14. "Michael Tidser Signs". falkirkfc.co.uk. Falkirk FC. 10 June 2019. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  15. "Aidan Connolly Signs". falkirkfc.co.uk. Falkirk FC. 12 June 2019. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  16. "Welcome to Falkirk Morgaro Gomis". falkirkfc.co.uk. Falkirk FC. 18 June 2019. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  17. "Charlie Telfer Signs!". falkirkfc.co.uk. Falkirk FC. 18 June 2019. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  18. "Cammy Bell Signs". falkirkfc.co.uk. Falkirk FC. 20 June 2019. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  19. "Doyle Becomes 8th Summer Signing". falkirkfc.co.uk. Falkirk FC. 21 June 2019. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  20. "Bairns Seal Durnan Deal". falkirkfc.co.uk. Falkirk FC. 21 June 2019. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  21. "Conor Sammon: League One Falkirk sign striker after Hearts release". BBC Sport. BBC. 4 July 2019. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  22. "Scottish Championship ins and outs - Summer 2019". BBC Sport. BBC. 10 September 2019. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  23. "Declan Joins Bairns on loan". rosscountyfootballclub.co.uk. Ross County FC. 16 July 2019. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  24. "Louis Longridge Returns". falkirkfc.co.uk. Falkirk FC. 6 August 2019. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  25. "Lewis Moore signs on loan from Hearts". falkirkfc.co.uk. Falkirk FC. 8 August 2019. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  26. "Gary Miller Signs". falkirkfc.co.uk. Falkirk FC. 12 August 2019. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  27. "David McMillan signs season-long loan". falkirkfc.co.uk. Falkirk FC. 4 September 2019. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  28. "Falkirk: Livingston's Raffaele De Vita joins on loan". BBC Sport. BBC. 1 January 2020. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  29. "Bairns Sign Ben Hall". falkirkfc.co.uk. Falkirk FC. 8 January 2020. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  30. "Josh Todd Signs". falkirkfc.co.uk. Falkirk FC. 17 January 2020. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  31. "Calum Ferrie Signs". falkirkfc.co.uk. Falkirk FC. 31 January 2020. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  32. "New Signing: David Mitchell". clydefc.co.uk. Clyde FC. 24 May 2019. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  33. "Ciaran McKenna: Hamilton sign former Falkirk defender". BBC Sport. BBC. 5 June 2019. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  34. "Paton is a Par". dafc.co.uk. Dunfermline Athletic FC. 14 June 2019. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  35. "Barrow AFC Make Cumbrian Defender Patrick Brough their fifth summer signing". nwemail.co.uk. NWE Mail. 17 June 2019. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  36. "Dundee sign former Falkirk skipper Jordan McGhee on two-year deal". thecourier.co.uk. Dundee Courier. 17 June 2019. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  37. "Nikolay Todorov Signs for ICTFC". ictfc.com. Inverness CT FC. 19 June 2019. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  38. "Thomas Robson is a Jag". ptfc.co.uk. Partick Thistle FC. 21 June 2019. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  39. "QoSFC: Kidd Back in Town". qosfc.com. QoS FC. 25 June 2019. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  40. "Deymantas Petravichus Igrok Fk Okzhetpes". okzhetpes.kz. Okzhetpes. 27 June 2019. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  41. "Grant delighted with O'Hara Capture". alloaadvertiser.com. Alloa Advertiser. 16 July 2019. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  42. "Osman Signs Up". qosfc.com. QoS FC. 4 October 2019. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  43. "Toshney Signs for ICTFC". ictfc.com. Inverness CT FC. 10 January 2019. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  44. "MacLean leaves Falkirk to join Queen's Park". falkirkherald.co.uk. Falkirk Herald. 23 January 2019. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  45. "New Signing". twitter.com. Kelty Hearts FC. 4 February 2019. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  46. "Cammy Bell joins the Spiders". queensparkfc.co.uk. Queens Park FC. 7 February 2019. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
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