Hot dogs and bubbly in home town

Sep 11 2012

Supporters in Andy Murray's home town declared him "Dunblane's hero" after he claimed his first Grand Slam title.

Murray beat Novak Djokovic in a thrilling five-set match to take the US Open tennis championship.

At the Dunblane Hotel in Murray's home town, near Stirling, posters of the 25-year-old were hung on the walls and champagne was on ice ready for his victory.

A crowd of around 80 fans packed into the bar to watch the nail-biting five-hour game into the small hours of the morning, before erupting into a mass celebration and chanting "There's only one Andy Murray".

Gavin Noland, 63, said: "Andy is Dunblane's hero, not just Dunblane, the whole of Scotland and the rest of Britain. He was magnificent. I've been following him from the very beginning. I think he's coming into his game, just since winning the Olympics he's taken off like a meteorite."

Dave Whitton, 62, said: "I'm just so happy for Andy - no tears this time, just complete joy and happiness, which is not only just for him but for the people of Dunblane and the whole of Scotland."

Referring to the Dunblane massacre in 1996, when gunman Thomas Hamilton shot dead 16 primary school children and their teacher, Mr Whitton said: "It's a town where, as you'll probably know, things have happened. But this brings a moment of joy and happiness instead of other things that have happened.

"Like a true Scotsman we always live in hope whether it's football or tennis. I've followed all his games as has my daughter who lives in London, we've been texting each other all night and I'm sure she'll have a tear in her eye."

The supporters were with Murray all the way, celebrating and commiserating every point won and lost. The bar kept its doors open late to allow the patrons to see the end of the game, and dished out popcorn and hot dogs.

Holly McCormack, 26, travelled from Paisley to share in the atmosphere. Draped in a Scotland flag, she said: "I'm absolutely delighted for Andy."