SCOTLAND'S Coalfields footballing heroes, Kelty Hearts under-16’s, were honoured at the club’s New Central Park ground for their massive achievement in winning the Coalfields Regeneration Trust’s Home

International tournament.

Kelty Hearts won the Coalfields Community Cup, played at Alloa’s Indodrill Stadium and this qualified them to represent Scotland at the CRT Home Internationals in Wrexham, Wales, in August.

The team went on to beat sides from Coalfields communities in England and Wales, becoming only the second side to win the Home Internationals and bring the coveted trophy back to Scotland.

The boys, Lennon Halliday, Neil Mitchell, Jack Mathieson, Paul Mitchell, Thomas Copeland, Sean Cummings, and Lewis Morgan, were each presented with a framed photograph of the team by CRT Trustees Nicky

Wilson and Bob Young, at a reception before the kick-off in the Kelty Hearts v Preston Athletic East of Scotland League game.

Then they had the thrill of parading their trophy round the ground, at half-time, the crowd boosted by the boys family and friends.

Their coach, Gary Lindsay, said: “This was a fabulous gesture by the Coalfields Regeneration Trust which gave the local community the chance to honour these young lads.

“Our lads played out of their skins in the Coalfields Home Internationals, demonstrating the skill and commitment required to win big tournaments.

“Saturday’s celebrations will live long in their memories.

Nicky Wilson said: “We were determined to mark the lads’ outstanding performance in Wales, and we particularly wanted them to be able to show off their Trophies to all their supporters on their club’s home ground”.

Bob Young, who reminded the lads of Kelty’s coal mining history, during the presentation ceremony said: “The fact that Scotland has only won our Coalfields Home Internationals twice in over ten years, shows how competitive the event is.

“These young lads were first class ambassadors for their sport and their country and richly deserved to be honoured in this way”.

To round off a great day for Kelty, they beat Preston 4-0.