[Plugin: Advanced Custom Fields] True False confusion

I have had this issue with a few sites.

I have created a true / false field. By default the field is unchecked (false) and I am using the following code

<?php if( the_field('hide_next_previous_buttons') == false )
		{ ?>
            <a href="#"></a>
            <a href="#"></a>
            <a></a>
            <a></a>
        <?php } ?>

So the idea being if you tick the true false field, making it true, then the code above is not displayed.

Instead the content of the if statement is always displayed, box ticked or not, and also when it is ticked a random number 1 is displayed after the code. Not sure if this is me making a mistake or a plugin issue?

Cheers

https://www.ads-software.com/extend/plugins/advanced-custom-fields/