Tam O’Ware made his 100th appearance for Kelty Hearts on the 7th of December against Alloa.  Signing for the club on the eve of the 2021/22 season, O’Ware has been a fan’s favourite at New Central Park.

A commanding figure in the back four, O’Ware made his debut for the Maroon Machine on the first day of the 2021/22 season.  Playing alongside Ross Philp, Jordon Forster and Rhys Peggie, O’Ware kept a clean sheet that day in a 2-0 win over Cowdenbeath.

After spending his youth career at Rangers and Kilmarnock, O’Ware stayed in the West spending seven years at Greenock Morton.  After leaving Morton in 2018, O’Ware spent three years at Partick Thistle making 39 appearances for the Jags before moving to Kelty.

O’Ware’s first goal for Kelty Hearts came in a 3-2 win over Stranraer in his first season.  He scored the opener that day, with goals from Jamie Barjonas and Joe Cardle securing all three points.  

After winning League Two with Kelty, O’Ware kept his place in the team for the following season in League One.  He scored two goals that season against Peterhead and Clyde, and steered Kelty Hearts to League One survival.  

In the 2023/24, O’Ware’s leadership on the pitch was recognised as he was given the captain’s armband.  O’Ware took over the captaincy after Tidser was appointed as player/manager, and has featured in all but one league match this campaign.  

Written by: Jamie Szmitz

Photography: Kevin Marshall (@KayemPhoto)