Gary Kelly (footballer, born 1974)

Last updated

Gary Kelly
Personal information
Full name Gary Oliver Kelly [1]
Date of birth (1974-07-09) 9 July 1974 (age 50) [1]
Place of birth Drogheda, Ireland
Height 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s) Right-back
Youth career
1989–1990 Drogheda United
1990–1991 Home Farm
1991–1992 Leeds United
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
1992–2007 Leeds United 531 (7)
International career
1992–1994 Republic of Ireland U21 5 (0)
1994–2003 Republic of Ireland 52 (2)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Gary Oliver Kelly (born 9 July 1974) is an Irish former footballer who played his entire professional career with Leeds United.

Contents

He played as a right-back or a right midfielder from 1992 until 2007 and made 531 appearances in total for Leeds, being the only player at Leeds to make more than 500 appearances from outside the stewardship of Don Revie.

Club career

Kelly, the youngest of a family of 13, originally started playing football as a striker, and was reasonably successful in this position for Home Farm. However, when he joined Leeds, then boss Howard Wilkinson recognised qualities in him that would make a very good wing-back. [2]

Kelly made his debut for Leeds in the 1991–92 season, although he did not become a regular in the side until the 1993–94 season, when Wilkinson made him his first choice right-back following the injury-induced retirement of Mel Sterland, occasionally filing in at centre back when needed.

He had played just twice in the 1991–92 season, [3] when Leeds were champions of the last old Football League First Division before the FA Premier League was created, and did not qualify for a title winner's medal.

He was selected in the Premier League team of the season for the 1993–94 campaign.

By the end of that season, he had also played himself into Jack Charlton's Republic of Ireland squad that went to the 1994 World Cup in the USA. Kelly was one of the "Three Amigos" alongside Phil Babb and Jason McAteer whose youthful exuberance rejuvenated an ageing Irish squad.[ citation needed ] Kelly scored in a 2–0 victory over Germany in a warm-up friendly before those finals. Kelly was installed by George Graham as his skipper in the 1997–98 season, at the age of 23.

Kelly was generally a regular either at right back or right midfield in every subsequent season he played for Leeds, except for 1998–99, when shin splints ruined his season (this injury would reoccur in subsequent seasons). But Kelly forced his way back into the Leeds first team, in 1999–2000, making the right back role his own, despite the signing of Danny Mills in the summer of 1999. Kelly once again took over as skipper when Lucas Radebe was on international duty. He was rewarded with a testimonial match in May 2002, played against Celtic. The proceeds from this match were donated to several cancer charities chosen by Kelly (mainly Teenage Cancer Charity in Leeds and Cancer Support Centre in Drogheda), in dedication to his sister, Mandy, who died from the disease in 1998 aged only 35. Seen by a crowd of 26,440, Celtic won this match, which generated nearly £1 million in receipts – making up the majority of the total £1.5 million which was raised to open a cancer centre in his native Drogheda. [4] He is also only the 10th player to ever make over 500 appearances for Leeds United, making the feat against Luton Town in Leeds' 2–1 victory at Elland Road on 25 February 2006.

Kelly played regularly in the first half of his 16th season at Leeds. But at that stage, he had fallen out with Ken Bates and new Leeds manager, Dennis Wise. On 26 October 2006, Wise revealed Shaun Derry was replacing Kelly as the new Leeds vice captain.[ citation needed ]

After 16 years of loyal service to the club, a presentation of a crystal cut vase was made to Kelly at the last home game of the 2006–07 season by former Leeds United players Paul Reaney, Allan Clarke, Mick Jones, and Frank Worthington. [5] [6]

International career

Kelly scored three goals in the 1992 UEFA European Under-18 Football Championship qualifiers and won 52 international caps playing for the Republic of Ireland scoring two goals, before his retirement from international football. [7] He represented them at both the 1994 FIFA World Cup and 2002 FIFA World Cup.

Personal life

Kelly is the uncle of fellow Irish international and Leeds teammate Ian Harte. Kelly and Harte were both part of Ireland's 2002 World Cup squad. Kelly was also regarded amongst the Leeds squad as being a prankster and joker, having pulled several different stunts, including wearing Nicky Byrne of Westlife's clothes for a training session when Byrne had got changed to join in with the training session. [2] Byrne used to be part of the youth team set up at Leeds United during the mid-1990s, and is a friend of Kelly.[ citation needed ]

Career statistics

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition [8]
ClubSeasonLeague FA Cup League Cup EuropeOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Leeds United 1991–92 First Division 2000100030
1992–93 Premier League 000000000000
1993–94 Premier League420302000470
1994–95 Premier League420402000480
1995–96 Premier League34050804 [lower-alpha 1] 000510
1996–97 Premier League362403000432
1997–98 Premier League340403000410
1998–99 Premier League000000000000
1999–2000 Premier League310302011 [lower-alpha 1] 000470
2000–01 Premier League240101012 [lower-alpha 2] 000380
2001–02 Premier League20010103 [lower-alpha 1] 000250
2002–03 Premier League25041006 [lower-alpha 1] 000351
2003–04 Premier League380002000400
2004–05 Championship 430103000470
2005–06 Championship44021003 [lower-alpha 3] 0491
2006–07 Championship160002000180
Total4312322300360305324
  1. 1 2 3 4 Appearances in UEFA Cup
  2. Appearances in UEFA Champions League
  3. Appearances in Championship play-offs

International

Scores and results list Ireland's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Kelly goal.
List of international goals scored by Gary Kelly
No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
129 May 1994 HDI-Arena, Hanover, GermanyFlag of Germany.svg  Germany 2–02–0 Friendly
224 March 2001 GSP Stadium, Nicosia, CyprusFlag of Cyprus.svg  Cyprus 3–04–0 2002 World Cup qualification

Honours

Leeds United

Individual

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roy Keane</span> Irish footballer (born 1971)

Roy Maurice Keane is an Irish football pundit, former coach, and former professional player. He is the joint most successful Irish footballer of all time alongside Denis Irwin and Ronnie Whelan, having won 19 major trophies in his club career, 17 of which came during his time at English club Manchester United. Regarded as one of the best midfielders of his generation, he was named by Pelé in the FIFA 100 list of the world's greatest living players in 2004.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robbie Keane</span> Irish football manager (born 1980)

Robert David Keane is an Irish professional football coach and former player who played as a striker. Keane served as captain of the Republic of Ireland from March 2006 until his international retirement in August 2016. Keane is the most capped player and is the top goalscorer in the team's history.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Liam Miller</span> Irish footballer (1981–2018)

Liam William Peter Miller was an Irish professional footballer. Miller began his career with Celtic and was later loaned to Aarhus in 2001. He returned to Celtic Park and broke into the first-team squad during the 2003–04 season. Rejecting the offer of a new contract from Celtic, he joined Manchester United in 2004 on a free transfer under the Bosman ruling. Loaned to Leeds United during the 2005–06 season, Miller made 22 first-team appearances for Manchester United.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alan Thompson (footballer, born 1973)</span> English footballer

Alan Thompson is an English football coach and former professional footballer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aiden McGeady</span> Irish footballer

Aiden John McGeady is an Irish former professional football player. He was born in Scotland, and represented the Republic of Ireland national team from 2004 until 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lee Dixon</span> English footballer and commentator

Lee Michael Dixon is an English retired professional footballer and pundit who played as a right-back. Dixon was also capped 22 times for England.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shane McFaul</span> Irish footballer

Shane Charles Alan McFaul is an Irish former professional footballer. McFaul has played for over 11 clubs in 5 countries throughout Europe, Asia and North America, including UCD, Sporting Fingal & St Patrick's Athletic in Ireland, Notts County & Brighton & Hove Albion in England, FC Haka, KTP, Mikkelin Palloilijat & Sudet in Finland, Virginia Beach Mariners and Northern Colorado Hailstorm in the United States of America, and also DSK Shivajians in India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ian Harte</span> Irish footballer and agent

Ian Patrick Harte is an Irish football agent and former professional footballer who played as a left back. He was best known for his ability to score goals from long range, including being a free kick specialist.

Darren O'Dea is an Irish retired professional football player, who is currently the head coach of Celtic B and professional player pathway manager at Celtic. O'Dea has played as a centre back for clubs in Scotland, England, Canada, Ukraine and India, and represented the Republic of Ireland internationally.

Richard Philip Byrne is a former Irish footballer who played as left back. He played for clubs including Shamrock Rovers, Dunfermline Athletic and Aberdeen.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gary Hooper</span> English footballer (born 1988)

Gary Hooper is an English professional footballer who plays as a forward for Southern League Premier Division Central club Kettering Town.

Simon Francis Madden is an Irish former professional footballer who played for Leeds United, Shamrock Rovers over two spells, Darlington, Dundalk, Derry City and St Patrick's Athletic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gary Rogers</span> Irish footballer (born 1981)

Gary Rogers is an Irish coach and former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper, making 735 appearances in all competitions during his career. Rogers was also called up to the Republic of Ireland national football team. He also played Gaelic football for and coached the Meath county team, and has also coached the Cavan, Monaghan and Westmeath county teams.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tim Clancy</span> Irish football manager

Tim Clancy is an Irish football manager, currently in charge of League of Ireland First Division club Cork City, having previously managed Drogheda United and St Patrick's Athletic. During his playing career, Clancy played for Millwall, Weymouth, AFC Hornchurch, Fisher Athletic, Kilmarnock, Motherwell, Hibernian, St Johnstone, Shamrock Rovers, Sligo Rovers and Bray Wanderers.

Lee Stuart Sharpe is an English former professional footballer, sports television pundit, reality television personality and golfer.

James Henry Tavernier is an English professional footballer who plays as a right-back for Scottish Premiership club Rangers, where he is club captain.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Richie Towell</span> Irish footballer

Richard Patrick Towell is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for League of Ireland Premier Division club Shamrock Rovers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Andrew Robertson</span> Scottish footballer (born 1994)

Andrew Henry Robertson is a Scottish professional footballer who plays as a left-back for Premier League club Liverpool and captains the Scotland national team. He is also one of the members of the leadership group and captains Liverpool occasionally. Regarded as one of the best left-backs in the world, Robertson is known for his vision, athleticism and physical power.

Darragh Markey is an Irish professional footballer playing for League of Ireland Premier Division club, Drogheda United, having previously spent six seasons with St Patrick's Athletic, the club he started his professional career with.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crysencio Summerville</span> Dutch footballer

Crysencio Jilbert Sylverio Cirro Summerville is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as a winger for Premier League club West Ham United.

References

  1. 1 2 Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2005). The PFA Premier & Football League Players' Records 1946–2005. Queen Anne Press. p. 343. ISBN   978-1-85291-665-7.
  2. 1 2 Gary Kelly Testimonial Program. Leeds United Vs. Celtic, Tuesday 7 May 2002
  3. "Leeds United: Season 1991 – 1992: Division One". leeds-fans.org.uk. Retrieved 10 August 2012.
  4. "Irish News UK - News from the Irish Community in Britain". Archived from the original on 29 September 2012. Retrieved 31 March 2011.
  5. "Farewell Gary". LeedsUnited.com. 30 April 2007. Archived from the original on 2 May 2007. Retrieved 30 April 2007.
  6. "Farewell Kells". LeedsUnited.com. 27 April 2007. Archived from the original on 29 May 2007. Retrieved 27 April 2007.
  7. "www.fai.ie: The players who represented the Republic of Ireland in 50 or more official international matches".
  8. "leeds-fans.org.uk: Leeds United Player Profile: Gary Kelly".
  9. "Milosevic gives; Villa a touch of magic". The Independent. 25 March 1996. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  10. Lynch. The Official P.F.A. Footballers Heroes. p. 150.
  11. "Keane claims award double". BBC Sport. 30 April 2000. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
  12. "Gerrard named player of the year". BBC Sport. 23 April 2006. Retrieved 14 January 2023.