Thursday is now decision day in the Falkirk takeover.

With present owner George Fulston having signed the documents a local business consortium should now get the green light. Manager Alex Totten said: ''The indications are that the issue will go to court on Thursday and the takeover should be rubber stamped with the documents lodged. It will be a relief when it is all arranged.

''In the meantime, I am continuing to plan, but because of the financial situation I have had to let go a number of players who will do a good job elsewhere. In addition, we will not be running a reserve team.''

Derek Ferguson, Craig Nelson, Albert Craig, and Neil Berry have been released along with youngsters Steve Perry, Graham Crawford, Gavin Rutherford, and Peter Deacon.

q DUNFERMLINE striker Andy Smith has admitted that he will go elsewhere if he does not receive a better offer from the East End Park club.

Smith is waiting to see if the Fifers are prepared to produce the cash and extend his present contract, which only has 12 months to run. The player is in no rush to quit Dunfermline but admits that, if they cannot come up with an improved package that would keep him at the club until the year 2002, then chances are he will move away.

Aberdeen, Reading, and Swindon have been linked with the Scotland B internationalist, who has just enjoyed his best season with 25 goals to his name.

The 29-year-old said: ''A lot of the club officials are on holiday at the moment, so I'm waiting for them to come back to me with a deal.

''I don't want to leave and my preferred option is to stay for another couple of years, and I have spoken to the gaffer about that.

''However, if they don't come up with something then I think it is almost certain I would leave.

''I only have one year left on my deal, so I think it would make good business sense for Dunfermline to sell me rather than wait and lose me for nothing.

''I have heard rumours about clubs being interested in me and I would hope that is true after the season I've had.''