Matti King celebrated with Musselburgh Athletic testimonial

The frontman has bagged 226 goals in 388 appearances for the Honest Toun over two spells.

On Saturday, a testimonial will take place at Olivebank when a Musselburgh Athletic Select takes on a Matti King Select.

King said: “It’s a second home. Even for my wife coming down and the kids – every other boy will say the same.

“When it was Charlie and May McGlynn [in charge of the club], May was like a granny to everybody. She would look after the kids while the boys played.

“It is basically a family and it has continued that way ever since.”

Already, a number of names have been confirmed, with John McManus and Josh Jeffries lining up for Musselburgh Athletic and Jordan Orru and Liam Reid lining up in the Matti King XI.

Meanwhile, names from the past have also been confirmed, including Michael McKenna and former Burgh boss Calvin Shand.

King, who lives in nearby Wallyford, began his career at Heart of Midlothian alongside current Musselburgh player/manager Joe Hamill.

Since then, he has played for Forfar Athletic and Arbroath, before making the move to Musselburgh in 2006.

He had a two-year spell at Newtongrange Star before he returned to Musselburgh in 2016.

Along the way, he has picked up the East Region Premier League title in the Juniors twice, as well as captaining the club in the 2011 Scottish Junior Cup final against Auchinleck Talbot.

Musselburgh Athletic's Matti King on target against Tynecastle

Also in his second spell, the club won the Alex Jack Cup and the South and East of Scotland Cup-Winners Shield, which led to one of the most important days in King’s career.

He said: “I enjoyed the Scottish Cup and Musselburgh’s first ever game [in the competition].

“I scored against Penicuik and then that season we had Wick Academy away.

“It was a good trek but they were taking the mickey a bit.

“We were meant to go on the Saturday and we had to go up on the Monday before Christmas with 12 players.

“We probably could have beaten them and, when there were replays, we would have beaten them easily.

“It was a great experience with Musselburgh in the Scottish Cup.”

The 38-year-old striker has already committed to the club for next season and could yet extend his goalscoring record.

King told Courier Sport: “I take as much pleasure from somebody else scoring goals.

“I want to say my name will be the record for a long time but, if not, then it is great for the club because they have found somebody to go past it.

“Like I say, personally, it is great my name being there the whole time, but if someone does beat it then I will be the first to congratulate whoever that is.”

The game kicks off at 1pm, with entry by donation, and there will also be a half-time raffle.

The winning team will be presented with the MK10 Testimonial Trophy.