Kelty Hearts F.C.

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Kelty Hearts
KeltyHearts.png
Full nameKelty Hearts Football Club
Nickname(s)The Hearts,[1] The Jambos[2]
Founded1975; 47 years ago (1975)[3]
GroundNew Central Park[4]
Bath Street
Kelty
Capacity2,181 (353 seated)[4]
ChairmanIan Thomson[1]
ManagerKevin Thomson
LeagueScottish League Two
2020–21Lowland League, 1st of 17 (promoted via play-offs)
WebsiteClub website

Kelty Hearts Football Club is a football club based in the village of Kelty in Fife, Scotland. Formed in 1975[3] and nicknamed the Hearts and the Jambos, they play their home games at New Central Park.[4] Their home strip colours are maroon with white shorts and maroon socks, while their away strip colours are blue with blue shorts and blue socks.

In December 2017 the club became a full SFA member, making them eligible to enter the Scottish Cup and move up through the pyramid system.[5]

Kelty Hearts compete in Scottish League Two, having been promoted from the Lowland League and East of Scotland Football League.[6][7][8][9] The club were previously members of the Fife Junior League and the SJFA East Superleague, which is the highest division of the East Region of the Scottish Junior Football Association.

History[]

In 1975, Kelty Hearts were formed as Kelty Hearts Amateur Football Club. The club turned junior after only a few years to remain competitive with other local sides.[10]

Kelty reached the Scottish Junior Cup final twice but were runners up both times. In 1999 they were defeated 1–0 by Kilwinning Rangers, and in 2007 they were defeated 2–1 after extra time by Linlithgow Rose.[11]

Kelty looked to move away from being a junior side after winning the East Region Super League for the second time in 2017.[12] The club applied for membership to join the SFA and in December 2017 became a full member, making them eligible to enter the Scottish Cup as well as progress higher up the Scottish football league system.[5]

After being accepted into and winning the East of Scotland Football League in 2018, Kelty were promoted to the Lowland League (the fifth tier of the Scottish football league system) for the 2018–19 season after a comprehensive 10–0 aggregate win over Threave Rovers in the promotion play-off.[13][14]

The team had been managed since October 2013 by Tam Courts but the club reluctantly accepted his resignation as manager on 11 October 2018.[15]

Former Rangers and Scotland captain Barry Ferguson was announced as the club's new manager on 18 October 2018.[16]

The 2019–20 Lowland League season was ended with immediate effect on 13 April 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic with Kelty Hearts being declared champions on a points per game average based on the current standings.[17][18]

For the second consecutive season, Kelty were declared champions of the 2020–21 Lowland Football League on a points per game formula due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The decision was announced by the Lowland Football League on 30 March 2021.[19] Kelty were promoted to the SPFL for the first time on 23 May 2021 after beating Brechin City 3–1 on aggregate in the Pyramid play-off final.[6]

Continuing to make history during the 2021–22 season, Kelty, leading Scottish League Two at the time, played in the fourth round of the Scottish Cup for the first time. Facing Scottish Premiership side St Johnstone, winners of the cup the season before, Kelty knocked the holders out of the cup with a 1–0 win after extra time at home in front of a sold-out crowd, thanks to a goal by Kallum Higginbotham.

Ground[]

New Central Park
Kelty Hearts v Solihull Moors (48694212331).jpg
Kelty Hearts v Solihull Moors, 2019
Former namesCentral Park (until 2015)
LocationBath Street,
Kelty,
Scotland
Capacity2,181 (353 seated)[4]
Record attendance2,300 v Rangers XI
7 October 2012[4]
Field size100 x 60 m
SurfaceArtificial turf
Construction
Renovated2015[20]
Tenants
Kelty Hearts (1979–)[21]
Kelty Hearts Women (2018–)
Dunfermline Athletic Reserves

Kelty Hearts play their home games at New Central Park, situated just off Bath Street in Kelty.

The overall capacity of New Central Park is 2,181 and consists of two covered enclosures which can hold around 1,030 spectators in total and a seated stand with a capacity of 353.[4] There is a social club and a sports bar within the ground. The pitch at New Central Park has a 3G MX artificial surface, which was installed in 2015 along with floodlights.[20]

Dunfermline Athletic Reserves also play their home games at New Central Park.[22]

Supporters[]

The majority of supporters of Kelty Hearts come from the village of Kelty and surrounding areas in Fife.

Kelty are also known to attract many groundhoppers due to the club's good reputation as hosts on matchdays.[23]

Rivalries[]

Kelty share a fierce local rivalry with East of Scotland team Hill of Beath Hawthorn.

Both clubs were founded in the same year in 1975. The rivalry mainly stems from the close proximity of the two clubs and both being very successful junior sides within the Fife League. Kelty and Hill of Beath would often exchange Fife league title wins from year to year, also frequently meet in cup competitions.[24]

Kelty Hearts are currently two leagues above Hill of Beath, competing in Scottish League Two. However, they can still face each other in the Scottish Cup.

Kelty's other rivals include Linlithgow Rose and Bonnyrigg Rose, two successful former East junior sides, who they have faced in both league and cup competitions over the years.[11][25]

A lot of former West junior teams had considered Kelty competitive rivals due to the club's success in the East and meeting several times in the Scottish Junior Cup.[26]

Upon gaining promotion to the SPFL, Kelty compete in the bigger Fife derbies, with their closest rivals in the SPFL being Cowdenbeath, the two separated by just 2.7 miles.

Current squad[]

As of 13 January 2022[27]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK Scotland SCO Darren Jamieson
2 MF Scotland SCO Andrew Black
3 DF Scotland SCO Reis Peggie
4 DF Scotland SCO Dougie Hill
5 DF Scotland SCO Scott Hooper
6 DF Scotland SCO Jordon Forster
7 MF England ENG Joe Cardle
8 MF Scotland SCO Thomas Reilly
9 FW England ENG Nathan Austin
10 MF Scotland SCO Jamie Barjonas
11 FW England ENG Kallum Higginbotham
No. Pos. Nation Player
12 MF Scotland SCO Michael Tidser (captain)
14 MF Scotland SCO Ross Philp
15 DF Northern Ireland NIR Daniel Finlayson (on loan from St Mirren)
16 MF Scotland SCO Robbie McNab
19 MF England ENG Harrison Clark (on loan from Livingston)
20 GK Scotland SCO Josh Donaldson
21 FW Scotland SCO Botti Biabi
22 FW Italy ITA Alfredo Agyeman
23 DF Malawi MWI Kieran Ngwenya (on loan from Aberdeen)
25 DF Scotland SCO Thomas O'Ware

On loan[]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player}
26 MF Scotland SCO Ben Finnan (on loan at Newtongrange Star)

Staff[]

Coaching staff[]

Position Name
Sporting Director Scotland Andrew Barrowman
Manager Scotland Kevin Thomson
Assistant Manager England Kevin McDonald
Goalkeeping Coach Scotland Ryan McGurk
Coach Scotland Mac Kenney
Physio Scotland Gordon Edwards
Kitman Scotland John Cantley

Season-by-season record[]

Junior[]

Season Division Tier Pos. Pld. W D L GD Pts Scottish Junior Cup
1980–81 Fife Junior League Junior 1 2nd 30 19 8 3 +30 46 2nd Round
1981–82 Fife Junior League Junior 1 3rd 30 16 7 7 +34 39 4th Round
1982–83 Fife Junior League Junior 1 2nd 32 22 6 4 +45 50
1983–84 Fife Junior League Junior 1 34
1984–85 Fife Junior League Junior 1 34 2nd Round
1985–86 Fife Junior League Junior 1 34 1st Round
1986–87 Fife Junior League East Section Junior 1 2nd 24 14 5 5 +27 33 5th Round
1987–88 Fife Junior League Division 1 Junior 1 2nd 24 15 3 6 +17 33
1988–89 Fife Junior League Division 1 Junior 1 2nd 24 13 5 6 +27 31
1989–90 Fife Junior League Junior 1 4th 30 15 7 8 +32 37
1990–91 Fife Junior League Division A Junior 1 1st 21 14 5 2 +31 33 2nd Round
1991–92 Fife Junior League Junior 1 1st 26 22 1 3 +57 45 2nd Round
1992–93 Fife Junior League Junior 1 1st 26 22 3 1 +50 47 3rd Round
1993–94 Fife Junior League Junior 1 5th 28 14 7 7 +53 35
1994–95 Fife Junior League Junior 1 2nd 28 17 4 7 +47 38 5th Round
1995–96 Fife Junior League Junior 1 2nd 28 20 3 5 +64 43
1996–97 Fife Junior League Junior 1 1st 28 27 1 0 +84 55 4th Round
1997–98 Fife Junior League Junior 1 2nd 28 21 6 1 +60 69 2nd Round
1998–99 Fife Junior League Junior 1 1st 30 26 3 1 +77 81 Runners-up
1999–2000 Fife Junior League Junior 1 2nd 28 21 3 4 +68 66 4th Round
2000–01 Fife Junior League Junior 1 4th 28 16 6 6 +41 54 3rd Round
2001–02 Fife Junior League Junior 1 6th 28 15 7 6 +18 52 4th Round
2002–03 Fife District League Junior 2 1st 22 18 3 1 +47 57 4th Round
2003–04 Junior East Super League Junior 1 7th 22 8 4 10 0 24 3rd Round
2004–05 Fife District League Junior 2 3th 22 15 4 3 +38 49 3rd Round
2005–06 Fife District League Junior 2 4th 24 14 5 5 +31 47 1st Round
2006–07 Junior East Premier League Junior 2 2nd 22 13 3 6 +20 42 Runners-up
2007–08 Junior East Super League Junior 1 7th 22 8 4 10 0 28 3rd Round
2008–09 Junior East Super League Junior 1 5th 22 8 6 8 +8 30 2nd Round
2009–10 Junior East Super League Junior 1 9th 22 7 6 9 -6 27 3rd Round
2010–11 Junior East Super League Junior 1 9th 22 7 3 12 -9 24 1st Round
2011–12 Junior East Super League Junior 1 5th 20 7 5 8 -2 26 1st Round
2012–13 Junior East Super League Junior 1 5th 22 8 4 10 0 28 Quarter-finals
2013–14 Junior East Super League Junior 1 14th 30 5 11 14 -18 26 1st Round
2014–15 Junior East Super League Junior 1 1st 28 20 5 3 +40 65 3rd Round
2015–16 Junior East Super League Junior 1 2nd 30 19 5 6 +29 62 5th Round
2016–17 Junior East Super League Junior 1 1st 30 25 3 2 +55 78 5th Round

Senior[]

Season Division Tier Pos. Pld. W D L GD Pts Scottish Cup
2017–18 East of Scotland League 6 1st 24 23 0 1 +131 69 Preliminary Round 1, losing to Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale
2018–19 Lowland League 5 3rd 28 16 6 6 +29 54 2nd Round, losing to Peterhead
2019–20 Lowland League 5 1st† 25 22 2 1 +78 68 1st Round, losing to Auchinleck Talbot
2020–21 Lowland League 5 1st† 13 12 0 1 +36 36 2nd Round, losing to Stranraer
2021–22 League Two 4

† Season curtailed due to COVID-19 pandemic - Kelty were announced as champions for the 2019–20[28] and 2020–21 season. A points per game basis was used to finalise standings.[29]

Honours[]

Senior[]

  • King Cup
    • Winners: 2017–18

Junior[]

  • SJFA Fife District League: 2002–03
  • Fife Junior League winners: 1990–91, 1991–92, 1992–93, 1996–97, 1998–99
  • Fife Junior (PSM) Cup: 1982–83, 1983–84, 1984–85, 1986–87, 1992–93, 2007–08, 2008–09
  • Fife & Tayside (Taycars) Trophy Winners 1997–98
  • Cowdenbeath (Interbrew) Cup: 1981–82, 1984–85, 1985–86, 1986–87, 1992–93, 1999–00
  • Fife Drybrough Cup: 1981–82[32]
  • Laidlaw Shield winners: 1984–85, 1986–87
  • Clark Beckett Cup: 1993–94
  • ACA Sports Fife League Cup: 2006–07
  • Maloco Associates (Fife) Cup: 2007–08, 2008–09
  • Rosslyn Trophy Winners: 1991–92, 1996–97

References[]

  1. ^ a b "Club info". Kelty Hearts FC. Retrieved 16 February 2017.
  2. ^ Hart, Ross (9 December 2016). "Kelty Hearts boss Thomas Courts hails Jordan Moore in Jambos win while Crossgates Primrose hit six". Dunfermline Press. Newsquest. Retrieved 16 February 2017.
  3. ^ a b "Kelty Hearts History". Kelty Hearts FC. Retrieved 16 February 2017.
  4. ^ a b c d e f "New Central Park, Kelty, Fife". Kelty Hearts FC. Retrieved 16 February 2017.
  5. ^ a b "Kelty Hearts confirmed as the 89th Scottish FA member club". Scottish Football Association. 12 December 2017. Retrieved 30 January 2018.
  6. ^ a b Mair, Steven (23 May 2021). "Barry Ferguson's Kelty Hearts promoted to Scottish Professional Football League". Daily Record. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
  7. ^ Kelty Hearts FC [@KeltyHeartsFC] (8 June 2017). "pbs.twimg.com/media/DB0qOWXXoAENZqR.jpg" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  8. ^ "Kelty Hearts continue perfect East of Scotland League record at Leith Athletic". Dunfermline Press. 14 December 2017. Retrieved 30 January 2018.
  9. ^ McLauchlin, Brian (19 April 2018). "Kelty Hearts eye SPFL as they close in on debut season title with 100% record". BBC Sport. BBC. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  10. ^ "Kelty Hearts - History". Kelty Hearts. Retrieved 17 September 2018.
  11. ^ a b "Linlithgow Rose 2-1 Kelty Hearts". 3 June 2007. Retrieved 26 November 2018.
  12. ^ "Kelty accepted into East of Scotland League". Dunfermline Press. Retrieved 16 September 2018.
  13. ^ "KELTY HEARTS WIN PROMOTION TO LOWLAND LEAGUE". Pars Review. Retrieved 16 September 2018.
  14. ^ "The only way is up for Kelty!". Dunfermline Press. Retrieved 16 September 2018.
  15. ^ "Kelty Hearts Football Club on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 12 October 2018.
  16. ^ Online, Record Sport (18 October 2018). "Rangers legend Barry Ferguson agrees deal to join Kelty Hearts as manager". dailyrecord. Retrieved 18 October 2018.
  17. ^ "Kelty Hearts named champions as Lowland League called early". BBC Sport. 13 April 2020. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
  18. ^ a b "Season Ends With Immediate Effect - Kelty Hearts crowned as champions". Scottish Lowland League. 13 April 2020. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
  19. ^ "Brora Rangers & Kelty Hearts champions as Highland & Lowland League seasons end". bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  20. ^ a b "Non League Scotland". nonleaguescotland.org.uk. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
  21. ^ Towns, Fields and Clubs of Fife, via Scottish Football Historical Archive, 2012
  22. ^ "Scotland - Dunfermline Athletic FC Reserves - Results, fixtures, squad, statistics, photos, videos and news - Soccerway". uk.soccerway.com. Retrieved 26 November 2018.
  23. ^ thefitbanomad (25 February 2018). "Kicking Off at Kelty". TheFitbaNomad. Retrieved 31 December 2018.
  24. ^ "Hearts and Haws set for Junior Cup cracker". Dunfermline Press. Retrieved 12 October 2018.
  25. ^ "Robbie Horn: Bonnyrigg Rose deserved more than tough defeat to Lowland League title rivals Kelty Hearts". www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com. Retrieved 31 May 2020.
  26. ^ "Buffs send Kelty packing". Irvine Times. Retrieved 31 December 2018.
  27. ^ "Squad - Kelty Hearts Football Club". www.keltyhearts.co.uk. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
  28. ^ "Kelty Hearts named champions as Lowland League called early". BBC Sport. 13 April 2020. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
  29. ^ Team, Media (30 March 2021). "Finalising season 2020/21". Scottish Lowland League. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  30. ^ Wilson, Fraser (29 March 2021). "Barry Ferguson's Kelty Hearts declared Lowland League champions". Daily Record. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  31. ^ "Honours". Kelty Hearts FC. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
  32. ^ Aitken, John. "Towns, Fields & Clubs of Fife" (PDF). Scottish Football Historical Archive.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)

External links[]

Coordinates: 56°08′09″N 3°22′43″W / 56.135890°N 3.378573°W / 56.135890; -3.378573

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