July 15th 2024
North of Scotland Cup final goal hero, Ben Kelly, has agreed a new contract with us.
The 26-year-old smashed home a stunning effort in extra time of that cup final success to put us 4-3 in front and although Ross County levelled the tie again, we, of course, went on to lift the famous old trophy with a memorable 5-4 victory.
That was Kelly’s second goal for us having opened the scoring in a 3-1 win away at Deveronvale in October before he went on to spend the second half of the season on loan at Forres Mechanics.
The forward has now agreed a new one-year deal with a one-year option to remain with us for the new season.
Manager Ross Tokely was pleased to retain another member of his squad having already signed up Aaron Nicolson and Jamie Carnihan on new deals. He said: “Ben had a couple of options so it is pleasing for us that he has chosen to remain with the club.
“He has had a spell on loan at Forres, where he played plenty of games and that will help him when he comes back into the squad for the start of pre-season training.
“Last season was Ben’s first in the Highland League having only ever previously played in the North Caledonian League, so we looking for him to kick on and continue his development. He has great levels of fitness and pace and that is something we will look to harness and use in an attacking sense next season.”
Ben joined us on trial last summer after winning the North Caledonian League Player of the Year during a prolific run of form at Invergordon, where he scored 31 times in 28 appearances.
During his maiden campaign with us, he made eight starts and 13 substitute appearances.
