Broxburn boss targets Lowland promotion after winning East of Scotland title

Broxburn Athletic boss Stevie Pittman admits their success this season has even surprised him after the team went from relegation candidates last season to East of Scotland League champions this term – and now he is targeting more glory with the Lowland League play-offs kicking off this week.

Pittman took charge of The Brox in January 2023 with the side struggling at the bottom end of the table before he managed to guide them to a ninth-place finish. But this season they have stormed to the title, with Saturday’s 3-2 win over Crossgate Primrose seeing them finish nine points clear of second-place Musselburgh Athletic.

The Brox players got their hands on the trophy at the weekend but the job is far from over with Dalbeattie Star standing between them and a sought-after spot in the Lowland League next season.

And Pittman, who is in his second spell at Albyn Park, said: “We surprised a lot of people this season – including myself – but we knew if we got the right players in we would have a chance. When we first came in the team was struggling and we managed to avoid relegation last year, but we got rid of a few players, brought some new players and they all seemed to gel well.

“They are the best bunch of boys I’ve worked with so I’m really happy with what they’ve done so far and we still have two big games to go.

“The Lowland League was the aim when we first came in. That is where the club wants to go and build from there. We are only two games away from that now and we know there is a lot of hard work still to be done, but we will go down there confident. There is no reason why we shouldn’t.”

A double from Errol Douglas in between a Mark Munro strike earned The Brox their 23rd win in 30 league outings and Pittman added: “Errol and Gary Brass [the club’s player of the year] up front have dominated most teams we’ve played against this season and when they are on their game, nobody can handle them at this level. They are too powerful. But the other boys have made the chances for them.

“We had a few beers on Saturday, had our player of the year awards after and then I’m not sure what happened to the boys after that – I guess I’ll find out at training this week! I went home early.”

Saturday’s match is a 3pm kick-off at Islecroft Stadium with the return leg on Friday at Albyn Park, kick-off 7.45pm.