The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Ferguson was key in switch to Kelty
Ka l l u m Higg inbotham admits manager Barr y Ferguson was a huge factor in signing for Kelty Hearts.
The experienced former Kilmarnock, Dunfermline and Falkirk winger joined the reigning Lowland League champions earlier this summer following a nightmare spell in India with Real Kashmir.
T he 31- year- old also accepted prior to making the switch to part- time football that he needed to start planning for life when he hangs up the boots.
Ahead of today’s opening league match at home to Edinburgh Un i v e r s i ty, Higginbotham, who made his competitive debut in the narrow Betfred Cup loss to St Johnstone on Wednesday, admits being coached by ex-Rangers and Scot land m idfie lder Fe rgu son h eav i l y influenced his decision to move to the ambitious Fife outfit.
He said: “The manager has been brilliant, I’ve loved every single minute I’ve had under him so far.
“He is very intense and I love working under a manager who is like that.
“He was a massive part of me wanting to come here, to work under somebody like that.
“Once he spoke to me as well and laid out his vision and how he wants to play, we all know our aim is to win the league and push up the football pyramid and I think he’s the perfect guy to take us that way.”
Meanwhile all five of the region’s clubs in the EOSL Pr e m i e r Di v i s i o n face lengthy away trips this weekend, with the pick of the games being the clash at Forester Park as last season’s runners-up Hill of Beath Hawthorn face bigspending Tranent.
John Mitchell’s side have been flying during preseason and will travel to East Lothian high on confidence of taking all three points from their season opener. Mitchell travels with a full squad available.
Jeanfield Swifts make the journey south to take on one of last s e a s o n’s strugglers, Blackburn United, at New Murrayfield Pa r k and Crossgates Primrose face a tough ask on the opening day as they travel to Prestonfield to face Linlithgow Rose.
N ew l y -p r om o t ed Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts face Tynecastle, who finished 20 points ahead of them at the top of Division One Conference B last season, while Dundona ld B luebe l l are away to Whitehill Welfare.
In the First Division Conference A Kennoway Star Hear ts begin life as an EOSL side in the hands of U20s boss Willie Cunn in gh am and experienced players Lee
Bryce and Ally Griffin as they welcome Arniston Rangers to Treaton Park.
Tw o more of the new boys, Rosyth and Kirkcaldy & Dysart, meet in a Fife derby at The Fleet Grounds.
It has been a difficult pre-season campaign for St A n d r e ws Un i t e d boss Charlie King but the former Brechin City striker is buzzing for the start of the season as his side face Lothian outfit Ormiston, one of last s e a s o n’s strugglers.
Thornton Hibs welcome fellow EOSL new boys Edinburgh South to Memorial Park in their opener.
In Con ference B Glenrothes are faced with the longest journey of the weekend as they head
south to take on Hawick at Albert Park and Newburgh and Lochore Welfare renew old rivalries as they meet in their season opener at East Shore Park.
Oakley Un i t e d and Lochgelly Albert are another pairing to renew rivalries as they meet at Blairwood Pa r k and Luncarty make their East of Scotland debut by making the long journey to take on Peebles At Whitestone Park.
Fe l low Pe r t h s ide Kinnoull are also on the road as Alan Cameron’s men make the trip to Prestonpans to face Preston Athletic.
Burntisland Shipyard start their campaign against He r i o t Wa t t University at The Oriam Centre in Edinburgh.