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. 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. Kelty looked to move away from being a junior side after winning the East Region Super League for the second time in 2017. The club applied for membership to join the SFA and in December 2017 became an SFA full member, making them eligible to enter the Scottish Cup as well as progress higher up the Scottish football league system. After being accepted into and winning the East of ScotlandFootball League in 2018, Kelty were promoted to the Lowland League for the 2018–19 season after a comprehensive 10–0 aggregate win over Threave Rovers in the promotion play-off. The team had been managed since October 2013 by Tam Courts but the club reluctantly accepted his resignation as manager on 11 October 2018. Former Rangers and Scotland captain Barry Ferguson was announced as the club's new manager on 18 October 2018. 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.
Ground
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. 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. Dunfermline Athletic Reserves also play their home games at New Central Park.
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.
Rivalries
Kelty share a fierce local rivalry with East of Scotland teamHill 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. Kelty Hearts are currently in the league above Hill of Beath, competing in the Lowland League. However, they can still face each other in some cup competitions. 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. A lot of former West junior teams had considered Kelty competitive rivals due to the clubs success in the East and meeting several times in the Scottish Junior Cup.
Current squad
As of 31 July 2020
Under 20s
Staff
Coaching staff
Season-by-season record
Senior
† Season curtailed due to COVID-19 pandemic. Kelty announced champions on 13 April 2020.
