Kelty Hearts are to halt their academy operations "indefinitely" in a move that is said to have left players and parents "blindsided", amid confusion over the reasons behind the move.
Sources have told the Times that the news was broken at a hastily arranged meeting last week, which turned hostile after attendees were told the entire youth academy programme would be "paused indefinitely".
One person who attended the meeting and did not wish to be named, said the "appalling" move had "ripped the heart out of the club".
The meeting was said to have been attended by more than 60 people, mostly those involved in the under-17 side, with Kelty Hearts chief executive, Jim Kirks, delivering the news.
It has been claimed that the club's under-17 and under-19 teams will continue to play until the end of the current season, after which their future is uncertain.
One source told the Times that the under-19s were informed of the plans to halt the academy just moments after an away match against St Johnstone in Perth.
The Times has been told that financial sustainability concerns were cited, on the club's part, as one reason for the decision.
However, a source said that when it was put to Mr Kirks that the academy was self sufficient - parents are believed to pay monthly fees, as well as fundraise - no further explanation was given.
"This first act by the new board could not have been more poorly received and, rather than looking to the future with optimism, there is real cause for concern," the source added.
Another source said that the move had "blindsided everybody", whilst another added: "I know the young men are devastated.
"There was no warning."
The Times have approached Kelty Hearts for comment.
Last summer, the 'Maroon Machine' announced that the Kelty Hearts FC academy had been accepted into Club Academy Scotland (CAS), an elite performance pathway for youth football.
Kelty were placed in the latter of those and, in a statement announcing their acceptance into the CAS programme, they said: "This exciting development marks a significant step forward in the growth of our club, as both our under-17s and under-19s will now compete in the CAS Performance League, facing off against some of the top youth sides in the country.
"Our entry into Club Academy Scotland is a testament to the commitment and development work going on behind the scenes at Kelty Hearts.
"With the continued growth of our youth setup, this achievement represents another key milestone in ensuring long-term success and a strong pathway from grassroots to senior football."
However, after one season, during which the club were taken over by an American-led consortium, it appears that they are set to pull out of the CAS programme.
The CAS is a Scottish FA structure that "defines, operates and partially funds" the academy system across Scotland, alongside a games programme, governing the development of players from the age of 11-19.
Clubs are assessed against set criteria, and a set of measurable performance outcomes, and placed into elite, performance (progressive) level and performance level, and advanced youth level, categories.
In January, a majority shareholding of 80 per cent in the 'Maroon Machine' was bought by a group led by Jordan Gardner, after dialogue regarding potential, external investment, had been ongoing for several months.
The remaining 20 per cent is owned by 'Kelty Hearts FC Members Ltd', a company incorporated by the outgoing board of directors.
Gardner, a former minority shareholder in Swansea City, and Irish outfit Dundalk, also had a spell as chairman, chief executive and managing partner of Danish outfit, FC Helsingør, who gained promotion from the country's third tier in 2020.
Following the takeover, he assumed the role of chairman at New Central Park, and said that it was "refreshing to see a club run in a sustainable and prudent manner", whilst looking to "build a strong and sustainable future."
Outgoing chair, George McTrusty, who remains a director at the club, stated that the agreement was "hugely important for Kelty Hearts".
He also said that the investment would enable them to "strengthen every area of the club, from the first team to our infrastructure, academy and community work, while, crucially, protecting the values and identity that make Kelty Hearts what it is."
Kirks told the Times after the deal was completed: "We're here to build slowly, improve the infrastructure, improve the pitch, improve the on-pitch performance. That's what we're about.
"You're not going to see this club next year put a bunch more money into players. It's going to be a slow process, sustainable process."
The first team, however, are on the brink of relegation from SPFL League One, in their fourth season at that level.
After leaving junior football in 2017 to join the East of Scotland League, which they won a year later, they clinched promotion to the SPFL in 2021, and immediately won the League Two title.
However, with two games left to play, they are bottom of the third tier, five points adrift of second bottom, Hamilton Academical, with a vastly inferior goal difference.
Share