Statement on Falkirk Development

Scottish Women’s Football can confirm the Falkirk Foundation have notified of a decision to fold their development team with immediate effect and withdraw from the SWFL East league.

The club’s development side has forfeited a number of games and Falkirk have stated they will not be able to fulfil fixtures for the rest of this season.

Scottish Women’s Football understands the challenges faced by clubs to remain sustainable, but this is nonetheless a disappointing development.

Withdrawing at any point after fixtures have been published and games played is hugely disruptive to all other teams competing and to the reputation of the game as a whole. Clubs applying to enter teams in the SWFL must demonstrate clear resilience, the ability to attract and retain players by valuing them publicly and a determination to fulfil all league and cup fixtures.

As per the rules, Falkirk Development’s withdrawal from SWFL East means the results recorded in the league against them this season will be declared null and void. The league tables have been updated accordingly. SWFL East will continue with eleven teams.