PREPARATIONS are underway for what they hope will be a successful season on the park but a record sponsorship deal has ensured the Haws are winners off it.

The Keirs Park club, who finished as runners-up behind winners Bo'ness United in the East of Scotland League Premier Division in a season cut shot because of Coronavirus, sealed a two-year tie-up with Andrew Mathie Roofing Ltd.

The Dunfermline-based firm will have their logo adorn the front of Hill of Beath Hawthorn's home and away shirts over the next two seasons in an arrangement that legendary former boss Jock Finlayson, who is now the club's general manager, as a "big deal".

The man who bossed the club for 40 years and won the Scottish Junior Cup, enthused: "We are delighted to secure a sponsor of this calibre, particularly in these challenging financial times for local businesses.

"This is a big deal for our club and we'd like to thank Andy for his commitment. We look forward to working with Andy over the next two seasons and beyond."

Andrew described the chance to sponsor the Haws as "an honour" and his company, who have worked throughout the central belt and surrounding areas with builders such as Stewart Milne Homes, Barratt Homes and Bellway Homes, are a well-respected contractor with more than 20 years' combined experience.

"I'm delighted to be able to support the community of Hill of Beath and it's an honour to become an official partner of the football club," he commented.

"This is a great opportunity for us to invest in the partnership and work together to put Hill of Beath on the map."

The sponsorship deal will also see a trackside board placed in position at Keirs, along with branding opportunities across the club's website and social media channels.

When football was brought to a halt by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Haws, in their first Premier Division campaign, ended it as runners-up after final positions were determined by a points-per-game ratio.

They are set to compete in an 18-team division next season after it was agreed there would be no relegation, while the winners of Conference A and Conference B of the First Division - Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale and Tynecastle - will be promoted.

With Bo'ness having been granted their SFA licence, they are likely to take their place in the Lowland League for next term, with Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts, the best of the First Division Conference runners-up, set to join them.

Last month, Haws boss John Mitchell bolstered his forward line with the acquisition of former Cowdenbeath player Ryan Connelly.