KELTY HEARTS were crowned Super League champions for the second time in three years last night (Wednesday).
Thomas Courts' team were handed the title without kicking a ball last night after Bonnyrigg Rose - the only team who could catch them - were beaten by Linlithgow Rose.
After a long hard season. Kelty Hearts are champions. 2nd title in 3 years. Massive congrats to @T0MCO & the lads 👏⚽️❤️🏆 party at ground🍻😄
— Kelty Hearts FC (@KeltyHeartsFC) May 31, 2017
Kelty and Bonnyrigg face-off at New Central Park on Saturday in the final match of the season and a win for the Midlothian team last night would have left them three points adrift.
That would have set up a winner-takes-all clash, with Bonnyrigg potentially aiming to clinch glory on goal difference, but their defeat means they are six points adrift of the champions.
Hearts will be handed the trophy this weekend and jubilant players and officials took to social media to begin the celebrations.
Former Pars striker Jordan Moore said: "Delighted to win the east super league with @KeltyHeartsFC great bunch of lads, top management and great committee. Club on the up".
Delighted to win the east super league with @KeltyHeartsFC 🏆 great bunch of lads, top management and great committee. Club on the up 🏆🏆
— Jordan Moore (@jordanmoore44) May 31, 2017
Boss Courts added: "26 games unbeaten. Only 2 league defeats. Well over 100+ goals scored in all competitions. Record points total. @KeltyHeartsFC champions."
26 games unbeaten. Only 2 league defeats. Well over 100+ goals scored in all competitions. Record points total. @KeltyHeartsFC champions! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/dVlnq8WyeM
— Thomas Courts (@T0MCO) June 1, 2017
Speaking to Press Sport this week, Courts had said his team were relishing the "huge occasion" this week, and said it would be a "massive day" for the club whether the title had already been secured or not.
He said his team would go all out for victory and that winning the league this season would be up there with anything he’s achieved in his career.
“I’d say that because Bonnyrigg are such good champions, and along with ourselves have raised the bar this season, that if we win on Saturday it would rank as one of the top achievements in my career,” he said.
“The standard between ourselves and Bonnyrigg has been unprecedented and it is great PR for the East Region Super League. We are preparing for a finale where it’s winner-takes-all; if something happens before that then great, and if Bonnyrigg take it to a shoot-out then they’ll have had to produce a good performance against Linlithgow.
“It will be a huge occasion but if we set up looking for a draw then I think that would be naive. We have to prepare to win the game and, although we respect them because they are a top team, if we play to our potential then we are more than capable of winning the match.
“We’re looking forward to it and have no trepidation. Our preparation has been great and we’ve achieved a lot over the last three to four weeks. We’ve had a tough run-in and the boys have matured well and learned a lot about each other.
“We’ve had great support from the community and local businesses this year and I think we could have in the region of 1,500-2,000 there on Saturday to see a spectacle. Fingers crossed they get that occasion but, if something happens before that, then it will still be a massive day for the club.”
Kick-off is at 2.30pm and admission is £6 for adults and £3 for concessions.
We'll have full reaction and pictures from Saturday's match in next week's Press Sport.
Super League Champions 🏆🔥 #KeltyHeartsJFC
— Stephen Husband (@stephenhusband) June 1, 2017
Congrats to @KeltyHeartsFC & manager @T0MCO on winning their 2nd Superleague title from all at the 🌹 👍🏻
— Bonnyrigg Rose (@Bonnyriggrose81) May 31, 2017
Congrats to @KeltyHeartsFC. Tough night for @Bonnyriggrose81 but we all know the tough nights make the good ones better when they come.
— Linlithgow Rose F.C. (@LRFC1889) May 31, 2017
Congratulations to all @KeltyHeartsFC Fantastic achievement!! Well done @T0MCO ⚽️⚽️⚽️
— Gordon Forrest (@gordonforrest6) June 1, 2017
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