KELTY HEARTS have announced that they have become full members of the Scottish Football Association.

While chiefs with the governing body met today to discuss the future of national team boss Gordon Strachan, the New Central Park club's SFA Licence application and procedures was also approved at Hampden.

Kelty, who were formed in 1975 as an amateur side, quit junior football at the end of last season after winning the East Region Super League title for the second time in three years.

They made the move into the East of Scotland League - part of the pyramid system that can lead to promotion into the SPFL - after stating their ambition was to work towards becoming "an SFA member club playing in the SPFL".

Attaining an SFA licence provides automatic entry into the Scottish Cup but, before being accepted by the governing body's board, had to sign a declaration to join the pyarmid system at tier six.

Their application has now been rubber-stamped and, in a short statement, the club said: "The club are absolutely thrilled to announce that as of today Kelty Hearts Football Club are now members of the Scottish Football Association.

"The Kelty Hearts SFA Licence application and procedures was approved at today's SFA board meeting.

"It's been a long process but we are now proud to say Kelty Hearts FC meet entry level requirements on all points - our ground, first team criteria, legal, finance, admin and codes of practice.

"This opens a lot of doors that will help us enormously in continuing to move the club forward."

After five games in the East of Scotland League, Thomas Courts' Kelty have a 100 per cent record, which continued with a 4-0 win over Burntisland Shipyard on Saturday.

They sit third due to leaders Preston Athletic and second-placed Leith Athletic playing more games, but have scored a whopping 34 goals, conceding just four.