NEWLY crowned champions Kelty Hearts ended a superb campaign in style with a resounding win over rivals Bonnyrigg Rose on Saturday.

But boss Thomas Courts admits that the title celebrations could be the club’s last in junior football as they look set to make the move to the East of Scotland League.

New Central Park was in party mode as the Super League’s top two went head-to-head in the final game of the season after Kelty’s second success in three seasons was sealed last Wednesday.

Rose’s home loss to Linlithgow made it impossible for them to catch Hearts going into the game and afforded Courts’ men a guard of honour before the action got underway.

The hosts played like champions as Scott Dalziel’s well-taken half volley in the 11th minute and Brian Ritchie’s looping back post header 10 minutes later set them on their way to a convincing win.

Archie Campbell’s side-footed effort 10 minutes from time sealed a 3-0 win before Kelty got their hands on the trophy, achieved after losing just twice in the league and going 26 matches unbeaten at the start of the season in all competitions.

But while Courts was proud of his team’s achievement, he admits a likely move to the East of Scotland League – part of the SPFL pyramid system – is an exciting prospect.

In April, Times Sport reported that the club were seeking to gain an SFA licence to match their ambitions, and Courts said: “We are going through the licence process and it is at an advanced stage. We will probably not be a junior team next season.

“We have been in dialogue with the SJFA (Scottish Junior Football Association) to see whether their plans for the future marry up with ours.

"There is a large appetite among clubs to revert back to a regional set-up, which for us would be a massive step back. We tried to get a timescale as to whether a junior structure could become part of the pyramid system but that doesn’t look like happening soon.

“We’ve thoroughly enjoyed our time in the juniors. I still consider myself a junior player and manager but it is about evolution and progression.

“It’s exciting and nerve-wracking but we’re wholeheartedly committed to the process.”

If it is to be Kelty’s last season in the Super League, they went out in style by setting a new points record and hitting 84 goals in 30 matches.

Courts paid tribute to his players, and continued: “There was real elation last Wednesday although I was comfortable and confident going into Saturday come what may.

"We recognise that Bonnyrigg pushed us all the way but I felt our players were gaining confidence from recent results, were in good form and we have players returning from injury.

“It was a professional performance on Saturday and we have proven why we are Super League champions. It was a phenomenal feeling; I was especially pleased for the players because we set high standards, not just in terms of performances and results, but professionalism.

"At the end of 40 weeks where they’ve put their heart and soul into the club, to have that silverware and medal does make you feel proud as a manager.

“It’s been a tough run-in that we’ve encountered against Bo’ness, Hill of Beath, Linlithgow and Bonnyrigg, and our championship credentials have been called into question a little bit. The players have answered that.

“The last Super League title that we won came on the back of a near relegation. As a group we were not expected to go near so this one feels more sweeter because there was more expectation on us. The players have handled it so well.”