KELTY HEARTS star Tam O'Ware has revealed he ignored "a few offers" for the opportunity to stay and work under one of his close pals.

The 30-year-old, whose contract had been due to expire this summer, has signed a new deal with the New Central Park outfit as they begin to rebuild for next season's League One campaign.

That will be led by new boss, Michael Tidser, who has been handed the reins following John Potter's departure to take up a technical director role at Raith Rovers.

Former Greenock Morton and Partick Thistle centre back O'Ware was brought to Kelty by Kevin Thomson in the summer of 2021, ahead of their first-ever SPFL season, following promotion in the pyramid play-offs.

He played 31 times in all competitons as the 'Maroon Machine' surged to the League Two title, and made a further 29 appearances this term as they consolidated their place in League One.

With a number of key players from the last couple of seasons, including the likes of Joe Cardle, Kallum Higginbotham and Jamie Barjonas, moving on, a summer rebuild is ahead of Tidser ahead of his first managerial role.


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O'Ware, though, was keen to be part of it, and said that he had decided to remain at Kelty, despite interest from elsewhere, to play for Tidser, with whom he runs a children's football academy near Glasgow.

"I'm looking forward to it. Obviously, the personal aspect of it is my good friend Tidser being the gaffer, so I'm looking forward to getting started again under his new reign," O'Ware said in an interview with Kelty Hearts TV.

"I've enjoyed it. I said when I first came I had to get back to playing games. I had a few bad injuries before I came here, but it's given me the platform to go and play games.

"Obviously, last year, we won the league, and then this year's been a wee bit difficult, but I'm looking forward to staying here for another couple of years, and seeing where it takes us.

"I had a few offers but, as I said, the personal aspect of being friends for a good 10 years, and obviously being team-mates, he's a big, massive part in why I've decided to stay. I'm looking forward to working under him, and seeing where it takes us ultimately.

"It'll be different. Obviously, a lot of fresh faces will be coming in so, again, it's something exciting, it's new, so we'll see who comes in.

"When they do, then once we get a chat with the gaffer and see what the plans are for the season ahead, then it'll be something to look forward to."