Courts hails Kelty progression as club secure Lowland League spot

When Conrad Courts first joined Kelty Hearts the players were forced to shell out for their own balls.

This morning, as the dust settle son their promotion party and the hangovers clear, they are potentially one year away from the SPFL.

It has been a remarkable journey since Courts initially arrived at New Central Park in 2001 as a bubbly youngster, fresh from six months cutting his teeth with Lochore Welfare.

Seventeen years on, the village of Kelty was jumping on Saturday as a thumping 6-0 triumph secured a 10-0 aggregate play-off win over Threave Rovers to seal their place in the Lowland League, having claimed the East of Scotland League with a record of 22 victories from 23 matches.

Not bad for their first campaign in the pyramid structure after leaving the junior ranks last summer.

“I first went to Kelty from Lochore in 2001, which seems like a lifetime ago – on and off the pitch,” said Courts.

“Back then we had to put our own money in to buy our own training balls.

“Thinking back to that, it’s incredible how far the club have come. Everything is provided for us. The committee at Kelty is just unbelievable and the hard work they put in behind the scenes is incredible for a semi-professional club.

“They do everything to support the club and help create links with the community. It’s a real family atmosphere. I have three bairns, Kaci, Amy and Lucy, and they all play for the girls’ team and everyone at the club are brilliant with the kids.

“We’ve got great facilities, youth teams trying to bring through talent all the way through the age groups. It’s a great place to be and such an exciting time. Everyone deserved that on Saturday.”

Courts readily admits that he has enjoyed a tempestuous relationship at times with his brother Tam, manager at K el ty, but there is no one more proud as he reflects on the quite astonishing job his older sibling has done with the club.

Stepping up from the playing staff to become manager in 2013, Tam Courts was charged with arresting a slide of 20 games without a win.

He achieved that – and then some – by guiding them to the East Super League titles in 2014-15 and 2016-17 before the club decided to take the plunge and join the East of Scotland League.

While the division has changed, the success has not dried up.

Bickering aside, there is plenty of brotherly love on show as Conrad sums up Tam’s impact on the club.

“I see the work Tam put sin because I am his brother, I see the hours he puts in away from the pitch,” he continued.

“There have been countless nights when training has finished, the boys have all gone home and he is still there with the management team at 11.30 at night.

“His attention to detail is terrific and he puts his heart and soul into it, he loves this club. If I’m really honest, I’m more happy for him than I am myself. He deserves to get something back from everything he sacrifices.”

On the dynamic in the dressing room, he smiled: “There have been times when I’ve maybe taken a bit more (stick) than other boys and, because I’m his brother, I need to just take it.

“Tam and I used to fall out all the time. We’re both strong characters and used to fall out on the park all the time, but you never take it off the pitch and I couldn’t be happier for Tam.”

After another monumental campaign for Kelty, preparations are already under way for their maiden season in the Lowland League. It would be a mighty surprise if they are not battling it out near the summit, and Courts knows no one will be taking them lightly.

“I think we will be a scalp but we won’t fear anyone next season,” he said.