Cupar Hearts

During this current period of uncertainty on when our current season will be completed or how final league positions will be decided, we at Cupar Hearts AFC have been taking some proactive steps in preparation for the coming season 2020 / 2021.

Despite the lack of football we are still working behind the scenes and continuing to maintain the pitch when possible.

The committee had already approached Lee Sibanda regarding his views for the coming season and he informed us that he wanted to focus on the playing side of his career and had therefore made the decision to stand down as Manager. But he would continue to organise team training sessions, preparing team for match day and continue with team selections with support from his current assistant coaching team. We also learned at this time that one of his team, Kenny Baxter, was leaving to take up a new career opportunity in the USA so we would like to take the opportunity to thank Kenny for his services as both player and assistant coach and wish him and his family all the best as they begin a new chapter in their life.

With the announcement that Lee was intending to step down we decided quickly to advertise the post so that we could get a new manager in place for the start of the season. We held interviews and we are pleased to announce that we have appointed Sean Simpson, who is currently with the AM Soccer amateur team. Sean has vast experience playing at a top level in Fife and is well respected. Sean will be free to build his own squad and his own management team. We are delighted that Scott McInroy will continue in his current assistant coaching position to bring some continuity going forward.

We also met recently with representatives from the AM Soccer amateur team who approached us with a partnership proposal. They will disband the current AM Soccer amateur team with Cupar Hearts completing their player pathway. This allows them to focus their attention on their award winning programme for youth players whilst providing Cupar Hearts with players as they advance through the ranks. Following discussions we would like to announce that we are now in a partnership with AM Soccer and it is hoped that this will strengthen both their football pathway, our continuing partnership with Cupar Soccer 7’s and our own current status within amateur football with hopefully, some or all of their current amateur squad coming over to join up with our own current squad. All of the players of both teams have been advised of the situation.

Other than these steps, there will be no change to the way Cupar Hearts AFC currently operate within our amateur status and with our continuing partnership with Cupar Soccer 7’s. While Cupar Hearts AFC remains an independent Club this partnership will allow both clubs to thrive, strengthen football in Cupar on a whole and hopefully bring success to the town.

We would like to thank all of our sponsors and supporters and hope for your continued support when we get back to playing football either to complete this season, or in moving ahead to the new season and beyond.