Whitburn boss Darren Wilson says he hopes his side have made the local community proud following back-to-back title successes.
The Burnie were presented with the East of Scotland Second Division trophy in front of a bumper crowd of over 700 at Central Park, which they marked in style with a 6-1 win over Edinburgh United.
Last season, they edged out Syngenta to the Conference X trophy and proved that was no fluke by being the front-runners in the Second Division pretty much from the first whistle.
And while he says that it’s too early to set targets for next season, Wilson insists the only way is up if they continue to do things right both on and off the park.
He said: “There’s a huge sense of pride that the players stepped up and progressed after promotion last year.
“Our aim heading into the season was always to get promoted again but I think around Christmas time we were in a really good position and inwardly we thought we could go on to win the league.
“Last season we were always chasing but this time we were in front and that brings about a completely different type of pressure and the players deserve huge credit for dealing with that so well and getting us over the line.”
He added: “There was a real party atmosphere at the game and it just reminded me how big a role a football club can play in a community. To have 700 people there, including 130 kids from the youth teams, was incredible and we want to build on that.
“We hope we have been able to build a club – from top to bottom, not just the senior team but the youth boys and girls as well – that Whitburn can be proud of and that they can support and buy into. That, for us, is what being a community club is all about and we all want to strive to take that forward.”
There was a special presentation from Wilson to the club’s oldest supporter as 100-year-old Jimmy Leggatt was given a signed shirt.
The gaffer added: “We had the presentation to Jimmy which was a great honour and moment to share with him.
“Earlier in the season we also had Darren Tomaszewski carrying out a baby who was a few weeks old as mascot. I think that shows the reach of football and also that we’re wanting to be a club open to all.”
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