Captain Willie West was delighted to end Fraserburgh’s wait and his wait for Breedon Highland League glory as the Broch won the title for the first time in 20 years.
A 5-0 victory against Forres Mechanics in front of 1630 fans at Bellslea gave the Buchan side their fourth championship, adding to successes in 1933, 1938 and 2002.
Skipper West made his debut for Fraserburgh in 2003, has made 593 appearances for the club and had won every other honour in north football prior to this term.
The 34-year-old said: “It means so much, it’s been too long since the club has won the league.
“I’m absolutely delighted to do it, what an atmosphere there was in the ground, it was brilliant and I don’t think I could be any happier.
“It feels like yesterday since I made my debut, I can’t believe I’m as old as I am and have played for as many seasons.
“It makes it even sweeter and it’s a very special day.
“I did wonder if I might not win the league because at the start of every season I’ve thought we could win the league and it hasn’t happened.
“I’ve always had that confidence and every season over the last seven or eight years I’ve felt a little bit more confident.
“That’s because of the players that have come to the club, the work-rate of the players and the culture at the club of people trying to improve themselves which has been really good.
“There’s a lot of people who deserve credit for that and it’s why we’re in this position.”
Broch pushed all the way
West came off the bench to score the Broch’s fifth goal against Forres as they clinched the title by three points from nearest challengers Buckie Thistle.
He added: “I was in the right place at the right time with the volley which hit the net, that was the icing on the cake.
“I’ve got to give a lot of credit to Buckie, they’ve had a really good season but unfortunately won nothing.
“We’ve had similar seasons at Fraserburgh and it’s not nice, I’m sure they’ll be back stronger next season.”
Fraserburgh finished the campaign with a remarkable 92 points and for manager Mark Cowie winning the league was the realisation of his ambition when he became manager in 2015.
He said: “We’ve had two draws and two defeats which is immense. The people at Buckie won’t thank me for it, but we have to congratulate them because they’ve pushed us all the way.
“Seven years ago when I got the job people kind of looked wondered ‘why’s he got the job?’
“But I told the players then ‘we will win the league.’ We had a nucleus of guys that were capable and we’ve added good quality.
“This season we’ve done it, we’ve had a couple of knocks but the way we’ve responded has been great.
“It’s for the town, 20 years ago I was here as a player when we won it and this gives back to the town for the support we’ve had.
“Seven years ago it started and it’s come to this, some of the guys have been on the journey from the word go, some have come in and it’s brilliant that we’ve done it.
“There’s a lot of people who have done work throughout the club and this day is for them.”
Fraserburgh’s season isn’t finished yet, they’ll face Lowland League champions Bonnyrigg Rose in the pyramid play-offs over the next two weekends with the winner of the tie tackling League Two’s bottom side Cowdenbeath.
Cowie added: “The club wants to have a go at going up, so it’s not job done we want to try to get to the next step.”
Famous five to clinch championship
Kick-off was delayed by 15 minutes as supporters crammed into Bellslea and playing up the slope and into the wind it wasn’t easy for the hosts in the first half.
But they made the breakthrough on 41 minutes when Ryan Sargent’s ball into the box bounced up and hit Lee Fraser’s hand with referee Graham Beaton awarding a penalty. Paul Campbell converted from 12 yards.
Fraserburgh dominated the second period and after Can-Cans keeper Stuart Knight had denied team-mate Dale Wood and Kieran Simpson with stunning saves the lead was doubled on 64 minutes.
Scott Barbour’s corner wasn’t cleared and Paul Young drove home from 14 yards.
In the 78th minute Barbour teed up Grant Campbell on the right side of the area and he stabbed home the third goal.
On 84 minutes sub Sean Butcher got in on the act with a sensational finish over Knight from 30 yards and two minutes from time West’s volley from 18 yards made it 5-0.
Forres boss Steven MacDonald said: “Fraserburgh are deserving champions and what they did in the second half is what they’ve done all season so congratulations to them.
“It was a strong wind which spoiled the game, but we didn’t do enough with it when it was in our favour.
“The penalty was quite soft I thought, but in the second half they were totally relentless.”
