Tam O'Ware says Kelty Hearts owners backing is 'massive'

And he's hopeful that the improvement in results following the club's takeover during the second half of the campaign will stand them in good stead for next term.

An American-led consortium, fronted by chairman, Jordan Gardner, completed a deal to buy a majority shareholding in the New Central Park outfit in January.

They have spoken about their ambition to try and make the Maroon Machine one of Scotland's leading part-time sides, but that they would "build slowly", and develop in a sustainable fashion.

Chairman, Jordan Gardner, said that the ownership would be working closely with O'Ware to plan for next season. (Image: Craig Brown.)

Prior to the deal being announced, Kelty were bottom of League One, with just 13 points from 22 games.

In their final 14, they picked up 16, but it wasn't enough to save their third tier status, with a defeat by Cove Rangers in their penultimate fixture ending their four season stay at that level.

The club's ownership, however, outlined their support for O'Ware in an end-of-season statement, in which they said they would be "working closely" with him to rebuild the squad.

Kelty have already brought in attackers Ryan Shanley and Finn Moffett for next term, and have tied up Dylan Corr and Lewis Moore on new deals.

"It's massive, it's important," O'Ware said of the backing he's had from the owners.

"It's always good knowing they've got your back.

"We had talks when they first came in and it was just a little too late, the second half of the season, even though the results picked up, which was always going to happen when we managed to get big players back.

"I don't think it was any surprises that I wasn't happy with the first half of the season, with the amount of things that went wrong, and were going wrong, week to week, with the squad and stuff like that.

Kelty are preparing for life in League Two next season. (Image: David Wardle.)

"It was evident for them, when they came in, that that was the case.

"Again, the upturn in performance and results, the second half of the season, we can hopefully continue into next season, and have a positive season.

"Everything's fully focused on the summer and building a squad for next year."

Meanwhile, Kelty will discover who they will face in the group stage of next season's Premier Sports Cup on Wednesday.

The draw takes place at 1pm, with the first matches in the competition taking place over the weekend of July 11-12.