KELTY HEARTS player/manager Thomas Courts has signed a new long-term contract with the club.

The 35-year-old will also be granted a testimonal by the New Central Park side to mark 10 years since he re-joined from East Fife in January 2008.

Courts was appointed as the club's player/manager in October 2013 following the sacking of Willie Newbigging and guided the club to Super League safety after a play-off victory over Dalkeith.

He then led Kelty to their first Super League title in his first full season in charge and, after losing out to Bonnyrigg Rose last year, they regained the title last month.

Courts will lead the club into a new era when they compete in the East of Scotland League next season after announcing they would quit junior football to pursue their aim of becoming an SFA licenced club.

The central defender began his career with Livingston but, after a loan spell at Cowdenbeath, signed for Kelty in 2002.

After two years he moved to rivals Hill of Beath Hawthorn for a similar length of time before joining East Fife.

Courts, a Scotland junior internationalist, returned to Kelty in 2008 before going on to become manager.

The club confirmed: "Thomas Courts has signed a new long term contract with Kelty Hearts that will see him into his 10th season having joined the club in January 2008 from East Fife.

"This is great news for all concerned that the gaffer has committed to the vision the club have for the future.

"A testimonial committee will be appointed soon where we will have a golf day, a testimonial dinner and a glamour testimonial match in the summer of 2018."