Broxburn Athletic defender out to give travelling fans cup cheers in Highlands

Marky Munro’s big Scottish Cup moment was played out in front of no fans.

That makes the Broxburn Athletic defender all the more determined to reward those travelling to the Highlands to cheer on the East of Scotland Premier Division leaders when they take on Deveronvale on Saturday – with a place in the third round draw being the reward for the winners.

Munro was part of the Clyde team that reached the last-16 three years ago, eventually being dismissed by St Johnstone, with the top flight side bagging a couple of early goals in a 2-0 win at McDiarmid Park.

That, though, was during the covid pandemic and played in front of empty seats and the full-back is hoping to give the travelling fans something to cheer about in Banff at the weekend.

Speaking to the Courier, he said: “We got to the last-16 when I was at Clyde. We’d beaten Ayr United away from home in the last round and the reward was St Johnstone away. That was during covid so there was no fans, which does take away from the occasion a bit. It was the year St Johnstone won it, so at least we got beat by the winners.”

Munro went on: “One of the first things I heard about when I joined the club was that St Mirren away game and the crowd they took and obviously that’s what clubs of our size aim for because the money a game like that can generate is incredible.

“It’s not a short journey at all but I’ve spoken to a fair few who have said they’ll be making it up on Saturday. Fair play to them because it’s a bit of a trek and hopefully the players can make sure that they come back down the road happy by getting the club into the next round.”

Athletic have enjoyed a tremendous start to the campaign, suffering just a single defeat in 17 games across all competitions and