Broxburn Athletic F.C. Explained

Clubname:Broxburn Athletic
Fullname:Broxburn Athletic Football Club
Nickname:The Brox, The Burn, The Badgers
Founded:1947
Ground:Albyn Park
Greendykes Road
Broxburn
Capacity:2,050
Chairman:Jimmy Porteous
Chrtitle:President
Manager:Steve Pittman
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Website:https://www.broxburnathletic.co.uk

Broxburn Athletic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the town of Broxburn in West Lothian. They play their home games at Albyn Park. The team currently competes in the, the fifth tier of Scottish football, having moved from the junior leagues in 2018.[1]

History

Broxburn reached the Scottish Junior Cup semi-final on five occasions, the last time being in 1971 when they lost by a single goal to eventual cup winners Cambuslang Rangers.

The club won the East Region South Division in 2009–10 and then gained promotion to the East Superleague two years later. They spent six seasons in the Superleague, with a best finish of 5th in their final season.

After moving to the senior football pyramid for the 2018–19 season, Broxburn won the East of Scotland League Conference C. However they narrowly missed out on the title and promotion to the Lowland league in the round robin playoff against the winners of the other Conferences, Penicuik Athletic and Bonnyrigg Rose. Broxburn were champions in the 2023–24 season, finishing in front of title race rivals Musselburgh Athletic and once again earned a spot in the promotion playoffs where they faced South of Scotland Football League champions Dalbeattie Star F.C.. The first leg was played at Dalbeattie's Islecroft stadium, and the 2nd leg at Broxburn's Albyn park. Broxburn were victorious, securing a 12-2 aggregate victory and promotion to the Lowland Football League for the 2024-25 season.

The club became a full SFA member in 2019 which allowed them to enter the 2019–20 Scottish Cup. They reached the fourth round having won five matches (including victories over higher ranked East Stirlingshire, Cowdenbeath, and Inverurie Loco Works), before going out to Premiership side St. Mirren in Paisley. Broxburn were supported by 1,600 fans who made the trip along the M8, selling out the North Stand at St Mirren Park.[2] In the 2023–24 Scottish Cup Broxburn reached the third round after victories over Lochee United, Nairn County and Deveronvale before going out on penalties to Buckie Thistle at Albyn Park. The reported attendance of this match was 1175.[3]

Albyn Park

In 1946, Mr. G. W. Bartaby-Pearson, with the help of local businessmen, started the process of reforming Broxburn and secured Albyn Park from the Earl of Buchan. After help from supporters who made the ground improvements, the stadium opened in 1948 with a Heart of Midlothian v Rangers meeting which attracted a crowd of around 3,500.

Albyn Park was completely redeveloped in 2009 - 10 as part of the Broxburn United Sports Club project into a new community facility with a 3G artificial pitch (replaced 2020).[4]

It sits on the original Albion Park used by Broxburn F.C. in 1889. Athletic took over the lease in 1894 until both clubs amalgamated in 1912 and played at the sports park (now the Broxburn Sports Centre). Athletic then moved back in 1921 until going defunct in 1924. West Lothian Council now owns the land and Broxburn has a lease until 2036.

The facility is also used by Broxburn Athletic Colts and other clubs. New changing rooms, a social club and floodlights were also constructed. The ground includes a large enclosure on the same side as the changing rooms. The remainder of the ground consists of grass bankings and covered terracing.

Senior squad

As of 10 August 2024[5]

Club staff

Committee

RoleName
President Jimmy Porteous
Vice President John Hughes
Secretary Jim Provan
Treasurer Alan Cunningham
Club Photographer Andrew MacPherson
Chaplain Andrew MacPherson

Coaching staff

RoleName
Manager Chris Townsley
Assistant Manager Derek McWilliams
Coach Billy McPhee
Coach
Goalkeeper Coach Ian McLaren
Physio Mark Fountain
Physio John Porteous

Source

Managerial history

NameNationalityYears
John McGuigan1949-?
Willie Peden1954-1956
Jim McKinnon?-1971
Peter Fortunate1973-?
Bill Bruce?-1975
Bill Baxter1975-?
Peter Duncan?-1989
Derek O'Connor?-1989[6]
Bill Henderson1989-1990[7] [8]
Willie Verth1991-1992
Jackie Smyth1992-?
Willie Turley1997-1998
Jamie Dolan2004-2008
Steve Pittman2009-2015
Max Christie2014-2017
Brian McNaughton2017-2020
Chris Townsley2020-2023[9]
Scott McNaughtonc2023
Steve Pittman2023-[10]

c Caretaker manager

Season-by-season record

Senior

SeasonDivisionTierPos.Pld.WDLGDPtsScottish Cup
Broxburn Athletic
2018–19East of Scotland League Conference Cbgcolor=gold1st2202+6266
2019–203rd†1153+1138Fourth round, losing to St Mirren
2020–21null††515+116First round, lost to Nairn County
2021–226th15415+549Preliminary round, lost to Dunbar United
2022–239th11109+943First round, lost to Dunipace
2023–241st2352+4674Third round, lost to Buckie Thistle

† Season curtailed due to COVID-19 pandemic - Broxburn Athletic finished third, based on the 'points per game' measure.

†† Season declared null and void due to COVID-19 pandemic

Honours

Junior

1972–73, 1973–74[11]

2009–10

2003–04, 2005–06

1978–79

Record attendances

Historic

Recent

References

55.9383°N -3.4683°W

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: East of Scotland League vote signals exodus of 25 junior clubs . Brian . McLauchlin . BBC Sport . 7 June 2018 . 10 June 2018.
  2. News: Hardie . David . St Mirren 3-0 Broxburn Athletic: Tough luck as battling Broxburn see their Scottish Cup run come to an end . 1 June 2020.
  3. https://www.broxburnathletic.co.uk/event/broxburn-athletic-v-buckie-thistle/
  4. http://www.pmrleisure.co.uk/pmr-leisure-news/broxburn-united-sports-club-opens-its-new-community-facility.html Broxburn United Sports Club opens its new community facility
  5. Web site: Squad Broxburn Athletic - Official Website. www.broxburnathletic.co.uk/. 2020-09-14.
  6. News: COURIER Friday December 15 1989 Courier Sport: Touchline Topics Golf Snooker Pool Shinty Whitburn floored by ... 27 June 2023. 15 December 1989.
  7. News: COURIER Friday December 15 1989 Courier Sport: Touchline Topics Golf Snooker Pool Shinty Whitburn floored by ... 27 June 2023. 15 December 1989.
  8. News: 48 COURIER Friday November 16 1990 ASAP TEMPS! TEMPS! Urgently required for various assignments throughout West ... 27 June 2023. 16 November 1990.
  9. News: Blackburn United boss praises 'brilliant' display in derby win over Broxburn Athletic . 9 January 2023.
  10. Web site: NEW MANAGEMENT TEAM IN PLACE . Broxburn Athletic FC. 22 January 2023 .
  11. https://www.broxburnathletic.co.uk/honours/ Honours