A Look Into Histories

A LOOK INTO HISTORY TWO HUNDRED AND SEVENTY SEVEN

KELTY HEARTS RECORD ATTENDANCE

Kelty Hearts are based in the village of Kelty in Fife and were formed I975 and were members of the Scottish Junior Football Association starting off in the Kirkcaldy & District Amateur FA then the Fife League followed by the East Region Superleague. In December 2017 they became a full member of the SFA making them eligible to enter the Scottish Cup and move up through the pyramid system. They reached the Scottish Junior Cup Final in 1999 and 2007 but defeated on each occasion. In 2018 they were accepted and won the East of Scotland League gaining promotion to the Lowland League then, in 2021 after beating Brechin City 3-1 on aggregate reached the pinnacle of the Scottish Football League with promotion at the first attempt, a brilliant example of upwards progression in Scottish Football.

Our Match Programme was originally issued for a testimonial match to commemorate Stefan Winiarski’s 12 years of service to Kelty Hearts, then a Junior club, on July 25th 2012 against Ally McCoist’s Glasgow Rangers but the latter had gone through enormous changes with demotion from the Premier to Division Three (the 4th tier). On top of that when the game was due to be played Rangers had not been given approval to compete by the SFA which prompted Kelty Hearts to issue a statement “ So thanks must go to the SFA for having a negative impact on not only the top end of Scottish football but the lower end also”. So the game was postponed because Rangers did not have a licence and all tickets would be honoured at a later date.

That later date would be Sunday 7th October. The same glossy coloured programme, priced £2 was used but with a sticker over the old date to give it some sort of credence. The true significance of all this did not put spectators off and 2,300 crowded in for a record attendance, the maximum capacity now being 2,176. The pages dedicated to the history of football in Kelty and of Rangers were extensive and fans were rewarded with a 1-1 draw though, in fact, the visitors were the under 18 side!

Kelty Hearts are now recognised for their positive contribution to Scottish football in the higher divisions.