Kelty Hearts F.C.

In 1975, Kelty Hearts were formed as Kelty Hearts Amateur Football Club and worked their way up from the bottom of the Kirkcaldy & District Amateur Football Association to the top in four seasons.^[6] The club turned junior after only a few years to remain competitive with other local sides.^[7] They initially played in the Fife League, one of six regions across the country, quickly becoming one of its leading sides, then became members of the East Region in 2002 when the number was reduced to three.

Kelty reached the Scottish Junior Cup final twice but were runners-up both times: in 1999 they lost 1–0 to Kilwinning Rangers, and in 2007 they were defeated 2–1 after extra time by Linlithgow Rose.^[8]

Kelty looked to move away from being a junior side after winning the East Region Super League for the second time in 2017.^[9] 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.^[10][11]

The team had been managed since October 2013 by Tam Courts but the club reluctantly accepted his resignation as manager on 11 October 2018.^[12]

Former Rangers and Scotland captain Barry Ferguson was announced as the club's new manager on 18 October 2018.^[13]

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.^[14][15]

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.^[16] 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.^[17]

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 and cup holders St Johnstone, Kelty won 1–0 after extra time at home in front of a sold-out crowd, thanks to a goal by Kallum Higginbotham.

Kelty were promoted to Scottish League One at the first attempt with five games of the season remaining on 26 March 2022 when they beat Stenhousemuir 1–0, and nearest challengers Annan Athletic lost their match.^[18]

Quick facts Former names, Location ...

New Central Park

Kelty Hearts v Solihull Moors, 2019
New Central Park Location within Fife
Former names	Central Park (until 2015)
Location	Bath Street Kelty, Fife KY4 0AG Scotland
Coordinates	56.13625°N 3.37945°W / 56.13625; -3.37945
Capacity	2,181 (354 seated)[4]
Surface	Artificial turf
Record attendance	2,300 v Rangers 7 October 2012[4]
Field size	100 x 60 m
Construction
Renovated	2015, 2016, 2018[19]
Tenants
Kelty Hearts (1979–)[20] Kelty Hearts Women (2018–) Dunfermline Athletic Reserves

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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 354.^[4] There is a social club and a sports bar/hospitality lounge within the ground. The pitch at New Central Park has a 3G MX artificial surface, which was installed in 2015 along with floodlights.^[19]

Dunfermline Athletic Reserves also play their home games at New Central Park.^[21]

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.^[22]

As of 8 August 2026^[25]

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

More information No., Pos. ...

No. Pos. Nation Player 1 GK  SCO Jamie Smith 3 DF  SCO Callum Hannah 4 DF  SCO Dylan Corr 5 DF  SCO Callum Flatman 6 MF  SCO Alex Ferguson 7 FW  NIR Finn Moffett 8 MF  SCO Connor McManus 9 FW  ENG Kallum Higginbotham 10 MF  SCO Innes Murray 11 MF  TAN Robbie Cole 12 FW  SCO Nathan Lawson (on loan from East Kilbride) 14 MF  SCO Jamie Hislop (on loan from Ayr United)

No. Pos. Nation Player 15 DF  SCO Alasdair Davidson (on loan from Dunfermline Athletic) 16 DF  SCO Thomas Falconer (on loan from St Mirren) 21 GK  SCO Ryan Adamson 22 DF  SCO Zak Flatman 23 MF  SCO Lewis Moore 25 DF  IRL Gordon Walker 26 MF  SCO Ross Cunningham 28 MF  SCO Jay Snoddy 29 FW  SCO Ryan Shanley 35 DF  SCO Jack Brydon (captain) 40 GK  SCO Cole Miller

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On loan

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

More information No., Pos. ...

No. Pos. Nation Player 24 DF  SCO Corrie Fellows (on loan at Largs Thistle)

No. Pos. Nation Player 30 MF  SCO Grant Leitch (on loan at Berwick Rangers)

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† Season curtailed due to COVID-19 pandemic - Kelty were announced as champions for the 2019–20^[26] and 2020–21 season. A points per game basis was used to finalise standings.^[27]