KELTY HEARTS have announced that their general manager, sporting director, and first team manager, are all set to leave the club.

In the last few minutes, the New Central Park club have said that Dean McKenzie, Andrew Barrowman, and John Potter, will all step down from their roles at the end of the season.

Dunfermline Press:

Dunfermline Press:

Andrew Barrowman and John Potter will both leave Kelty Hearts at the end of the season. Photos: Craig Brown.

They have said that, "with a heavy heart", the trio will depart as the club embarks on what they have described as a "new chapter", and have confirmed that current captain, Michael Tidser (pictured below, photo courtesy of Jim Payne), will replace Potter in the dugout next season.

Dunfermline Press:

This evening's news comes amid speculation in recent weeks that McKenzie, who has been involved with the club for nine seasons, overseeing their rise from junior football to SPFL League One, could be part of a consortium in discussions over potential involvement at Raith Rovers.

Kelty said that he had "overseen the greatest period of success in the club's history", and had also been "instrumental in turning New Central Park into the fantastic facility it is today".

Stefan Winiarski will take on the role as managing director of the club, whilst Craig Reynolds will become sporting director, with both having helped develop Kelty Hearts' Community Club.

In their statement, Kelty said: "We announce with a heavy heart that our General Manager/Managing Director of the last nine seasons, Dean McKenzie, will be stepping down from his role at the club at the end of the season, along with sporting director, Andrew Barrowman and nanager John Potter.

"Dean has overseen the greatest period of success in the club’s history with two Junior Super League titles before leading them into the pyramid system where the success kept coming in the East Of Scotland, Lowland League and cinch League Two, with the club cementing its place in cinch League One.

"Not only has Dean led a period of success on the pitch, he has been instrumental in turning New Central Park into the fantastic facility that it is today."

Within that, McKenzie commented: "It’s been an absolute honour being part of a fantastic team at this great club over the last nine seasons. There have been many more highs than lows and I’ve got to work with some great people on and off the pitch.

"Kelty will always have a special place in my heart, it means a lot to me and my family. We won’t be strangers and wish the club all the very best for the next instalment in its history."

Former Dunfermline star Barrowman joined Kelty in the summer of 2021, working closely with then boss, Kevin Thomson, as the club won SPFL League Two in their first season in the division following promotion from the Lowland League.

The club continued: "Andrew Barrowman, over the last couple of seasons, has played a big part in putting into place the long-termfoundations of the club to ensure it operates within its means with sustainable growth."

Following Thomson's resignation last summer, following their title success, ex-Dunfermline boss Potter, who has also coached with the likes of Hibernian and Sunderland, was installed as his replacement.

He has led the team to safety in League One - they sit eighth ahead of tomorrow's home clash with Alloa Athletic, but cannot be caught by the division's bottom two clubs - in their first season in the third tier.

They have twice held leaders Dunfermline to a draw, and have also taken seven points from four meetings with second-top Falkirk.

The club continued: "The gaffer, John Potter, will leave us with a solid platform to build from as we embark on another season in cinch League One. He has been a credit to himself and the club over his tenure at New Central Park.

"We are delighted to announce Michael Tidser will be our new manager for next season. A full unveiling of Michael will be done in the next 3 to 4 weeks. A very popular player who has been a fantastic leader on and off the pitch. We wish Michael all the very best in his new role.

"Dean, Andy and John will step down at the end of the season to allow a handover period and smooth transition into the new era. We wish all three the very best for the future and thank them all for their efforts at the club.

"Dean and Andy have been helping set things up for their departure and the club can announce the addition of Stefan Winiarski as new managing director and Craig Reynolds, sporting director to the board and they will work with fellow board members to lead the club into its next stage.

"Both men will work tirelessly for the football club, having cut their teeth building the community club to over 300 members.

"They will bring an energy and new ideas into the boardroom which will stand the club in good stead going forward. We all look forward to working together for the season ahead.

"The club have had many memorable chapters in its time, the switch from amateur to junior, the successes in the Super League before embarking on the journey through the pyramid structure into League One, we now look to the next chapter of creating history."