The 2011-12 campaign was a season of silverware and thrilling cup runs for Falkirk as The Bairns secured a 3rd-place finish in the Scottish First Division. Spearheaded by the prolific new signing Farid El Alagui, who netted a sensational 28 goals across all competitions and was crowned PFA First Division Player of the Year, the young team excelled under manager Steven Pressley. The highlight was a record fourth Scottish Challenge Cup victory, but the club also mounted an unforgettable League Cup run that saw them dramatically defeat SPL rivals Rangers before taking on Celtic in a massive semi-final at Hampden. It was a year defined by the emergence of a cult hero in El Alagui and moments of unexpected glory that injected immense pride back into the club.