BROXBURN ATHLETIC FOOTBALL CLUB HOLD A RECORD WHICH CANNOT BE TAKEN AWAY FROM THEM!
IN THE EARLY 1970's THEY WON THE EAST REGION CHAMPIONSHIP IN CONSECUTIVE SEASONS, 1972-73 AND 1973-74. WHAT MAKES THIS DOUBLE UNIQUE IS THE FACT THAT IN SEASON 1972-73 THE LEAGUE SET UP CONSISTED OF TWO REGIONAL GROUPS, EAST AND WEST. THE WINNERS OF EACH SECTION PLAYED EACH OTHER ON A HOME AND AWAY BASIS TO DECIDE WHO BECAME THE E.R.S.J.F.A. CHAMPIONS.
IN SEASON 1973-74, THE FORMAT WAS CHANGED TO AN 'A' DIVISION CONSISTING OF THE TEAMS FINISHING IN THE TOP HALF OF BOTH THE EAST AND WEST SECTIONS FROM THE PREVIOUS SEASON, WITH THE REMAINING TEAMS MAKING UP THE 'B' DIVISION.
THUS BROXBURN ATHLETIC F.C. WERE THE LAST TEAM TO WIN THE "OLD LEAGUE" SET UP AND THE FIRST TEAM TO WIN THE "NEW LEAGUE" SET UP.
Broxburn Athletic proved they were a class Junior fooball team when they won the new Division 'A' Championship. They secured the league title with a win in the final league game of the season. Broxburn Athletic had an unbeaten home record that season. Needing only one point to settle the league Broxburn Athletic did not play their best in this game against a Sauchie side which played a very defensive formation in the first half. SAUCHIE stole an early goal in the second half and at one stage it looked as they would steal all two points. Broxburn Athletic did not play with the fire and dash which they had shown in their previous league match against Bonnybridge and too many players looked as if the thought the league title was already won. However, Broxburn Athletic did create some goal scoring chances. McMichael missed from only six yards out after Garvie had set him up with a nice pass which was cut back from the goal line. Later, Garvie himself sent a good shot in on the target and Mcfeat had to pull off a good save to avoid the equalizer. Donachie then came close when he hit a snap shot past the keeper only to see it shave the top of the bar and go behind for a goal kick. The second half was played in heavy rain and a strong wind which was blowing against the Broxburn Athletic team. Broxburn Athletic brought on their two substitutes, O'Donnell and Bird and almost right away they started to show more urgency in their play. O'Donnell looked as if he had got the all important equalizer when he ran through on to the end of a pass from Donnachie, rounded the keeper and then hit the ball against the post. The ball rebounded back into play but was smartly cleared by Beveridge. Garvie received a good pass from Bird but again a possible goal scoring chance was missed. However, Garvie made up for his earlier miss when he scored in the dying seconds of the game to secure the league championship for Broxburn Athletic for the second consecutive season. The goalkeeper mis-kicked his clearance and the ball fell to Garvie just outside the 18 yard box. Garvie could hardly believe his luck but managed to keep his cool and slot the ball into the back of the net. The cheers of the Broxburn Athletic faithful gave an indication of the relief felt by the large home crowd. BROXBURN ATHLETIC were champions again and they now qualified to play in the Whitbread Inter League tournament where they would be playing against the best Junior Clubs of the Central Division 'A' League.