KELTY HEARTS are demanding justice as the league leaders call on the SFA and SPFL to give them a shot at promotion.

Clubs across Scotland are currently in limbo with many not knowing what division they will be playing in when football makes a return.

That includes the New Central Park side, who are currently top of the Lowland League table.

While the SFA have stated that finishing the 2019/20 season is their preference, they will only do so under the guidance of the relevant governments and authorities.

Dean Mckenzie, Kelty’s general manager, told Press Sport this week that if the season cannot be completed, league reconstruction was the “only logical move for the whole of Scottish football”.

He said it would be “crazy” if neither Kelty nor Brora Rangers, the runaway Highland League leaders, got a chance at achieving promotion to the SPFL.

Mr Mckenzie said: “If it’s taken away from us, it will be a bitter pill to swallow.

“I just want justice done for the players, management and the supporters who come out every week, travelling the length and breadth of the country.”

Outlining his vision for how the governing body should handle the situation, he stated: “I think we all want the season to end with all the games being played.

“However, realistically, that’s not going to happen. We don’t feel that a promotion play-off between ourselves and Brora is likely to take place either. There won’t be any time.

“We believe that the way forward has to be league reconstruction – one million per cent. It’s the only logical solution.

“Clubs (Hearts, Partick Thistle, Stranraer and Brechin City) are safe from relegation; and league leaders Dundee United, Raith Rovers and Cove will be promoted with second-place sides Inverness, Falkirk and Edinburgh City.

“Teams at the bottom of the leagues would be saved from relegation, and ourselves and Brora Rangers would be promoted. That would create a 14-team top league with three leagues of 10.

“Everyone is talking about Celtic, Rangers, Hearts, Dundee United, Raith, Cove Rangers and all the other 42 clubs. We’ve kept our counsel, but we need to be heard as well.

“It’s not just all about the 42 clubs. It’s a lot wider than that; it’s the whole pyramid.

“We do just as good for Scottish football as some other clubs. We shouldn’t be disregarded.

“Bonnyrigg Rose are only six points behind us in the table as well; they should also be included in any discussions over what happens next.”

Scottish football ground to a halt on Friday as an announcement was made to postpone all domestic and grassroots football until further notice due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Several first team players have already asked the club for their wages to be deferred until Kelty is in a better position financially.

Mr Mckenzie said that New Central Park was now “deserted” with all training, hospitality, functions and social club events cancelled.

“The club’s basically shut down right now,” he said.

“There’s no training of any kind and our community club with 250 kids is off. That pitch is full every night of the week with kids.

"It’s now empty and it’s nobody’s fault. It’s just unprecedented times.”

He added that Kelty’s committee members, players and management were putting together a collection of food and other essential items for those most vulnerable in the community.

Supplies will then be made available for collection from the club from Saturday, March 28,and each weekend thereafter for anyone over 70.