Gary Kelly (footballer, born 1966)

Last updated

Gary Kelly
Personal information
Full name Gary Alexander Kelly [1]
Date of birth (1966-08-03) 3 August 1966 (age 57) [1]
Place of birth Fulwood, Lancashire, England [1]
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) [2]
Position(s) Goalkeeper [1]
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
1984–1989 Newcastle United 53 (0)
1988Blackpool (loan) 5 (0)
1989–1996 Bury 236 (0)
1994West Ham United (loan) 0 (0)
1996–2003 Oldham Athletic 225 (0)
2003 Northwich Victoria 7 (0)
2003 Sheffield United 1 (0)
2003–2004 Leigh RMI 14 (0)
Total542(0)
International career
1982–1985 Republic of Ireland U19 19 (0)
1985–1989 Republic of Ireland U21 8 (0)
1989 Republic of Ireland U23 1 (0)
1990 Republic of Ireland B 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Gary Alexander Kelly (born 3 August 1966) is a former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper. Born in England, he represented the Republic of Ireland internationally as the son of former Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Alan Kelly Sr.

Contents

Early career

Kelly was born in Fulwood, Lancashire. Kelly began his career as an apprentice with Arthur Cox's Newcastle United in 1982, becoming boot boy to former England captain and European Footballer of the Year Kevin Keegan. Kelly signed a professional deal in 1984 as Jack Charlton took over as manager. Kelly went on to win the FA Youth Cup in 1985, beating Watford 4–1 on aggregate.

Club career

Newcastle United

In 1986, he made his senior debut in a 1–0 win against Wimbledon at St James' Park. Later, Kelly would win the club's Young Player of the Year Award that season.

Kelly made over 50 league appearances for the Magpies which included saving two penalties in one game against Chelsea. He saved a penalty against Liverpool at Wembley in the Football League Centenary Finals in 1988. In October 1988, he went on loan to Blackpool for a month, as stand-in for Barry Siddall.

Bury

In 1989, manager Jim Smith sold Kelly to Bury, with whom he spent the next seven years. He made 236 league appearances for the Gigg Lane club. The following year, he reached the Division 2 play-offs losing 2–0 on aggregate to Tranmere Rovers in the semi-final and losing 2–1 on aggregate to Bolton Wanderers in the semi-final in 1991. Kelly was also voted Bury FC Player of the Year in 1992. In 1993, Bury reached the third division play-offs losing 1–0 on aggregate to York City in the semi-final. He was loaned out to West Ham United in 1994, reaching the quarter-final of the FA Cup before losing 3–2 to Luton Town in a replay and being an unused sub in 16 Premiership games. He also played in the Bobby Moore Testimonial in a 2–1 win over a Premiership select XI at Upton Park.

In 1995, Kelly would play in the third division play-off final after beating Preston North End 2–0 on aggregate in the semi-final, before losing 2–0 to Chesterfield in the final at Wembley Stadium. [3] Kelly was voted into the PFA Team of the Year by his fellow professionals in 1995 after keeping 23 clean sheets that season. He also achieved promotion to League 1 with Bury in 1996.

Oldham Athletic

Oldham Athletic manager, Graeme Sharp, came in for Kelly's services in 1996, and he went on to make 225 league appearances over seven years for the Latics. [4] Kelly swept the boards in the club's Player of the Year awards in 1997.

Later career

Kelly joined Neil Warnock's Sheffield United in 2003 reaching the semi-finals of the FA Cup before losing 1–0 to Arsenal at Old Trafford. [5] He also reached the 2003 Football League First Division play-off final eventually losing to 3–0 to Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff.

Kelly later signed for Conference National clubs Northwich Victoria and Leigh RMI where he was player assistant manager. [6]

International career

Kelly played for the Ireland U19 national team that qualified for the 1983 UEFA European Under-18 Football Championships where despite remaining unbeaten in a group that included eventual winners, France, they were eliminated. Kelly also played in the 1984 UEFA European Under-18 Championship in Russia. Ireland won their group stage before losing the semifinal 2–1 against hosts Russia in front of a 40,000 crowd in Dynamo Stadium, Moscow. Ireland lost the third place playoff 2–1 to Poland in front of a 60,000 crowd at the Lenin Stadium, Moscow. Kelly was voted goalkeeper of the tournament by legendary Russian goalkeeper Lev Yashin.

Ireland's exploits earned them a qualification for the 1985 FIFA World Youth Championships in Russia and a first UEFA medal but Kelly was refused permission to be released by his club Newcastle United. Kelly played in the first three games of the 1986 UEFA European Under-18 Football Championship qualification campaign, as Ireland topped the group before new UEFA age restrictions ruled him out of the remaining tournament.

Kelly made his Ireland U-21 debut in a friendly in 1985 against England at Fratton Park and played in the 1988 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship qualifiers. He also played in the Toulon Tournament in 1989 not conceding in any of his three games including saving a penalty against hosts France B in a 1–0 playoff win.

Kelly played at Ireland Under 23 level for Ireland in a 3–0 win over Northern Ireland in 1989. He was also selected for Ireland at 'B' level on several occasions, playing in a 4–1 win over England in 1990 at Turners Cross, Cork in front of a 10,000 crowd. This remains England's heaviest defeat at 'B' level.

Kelly was selected to represent the full squad on ten occasions, never once tasting defeat. He was on standby for the 1990 and 1994 FIFA World Cup Finals as Jack Charlton went with an extra outfield player instead of the regulation three goalkeepers in his 22-man squad. His last selection was for the Euro 2000 Championship Play Off 2nd leg against Turkey in Bursa in which Republic of Ireland drew 0–0. He was called up to provide cover for Dean Kiely, after his brother was injured in the first leg. [7]

Personal life

His father, Alan Kelly Sr. and brother, Alan Kelly Jr., were also goalkeepers who played for the Republic of Ireland at the fully international level.

Kelly played Masters Football for Newcastle United winning the Northern Masters in 2003 and 2007 where he was voted player of the tournament. He was also runner up in the Dubai Masters in 2006 losing 1–0 to Liverpool in the final. Kelly achieved his UEFA 'A' Coaching License and UEFA Goalkeeping License in 2007.

Honours

Individual

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Connah's Quay Nomads F.C.</span> Association football club in Wales

Connah's Quay Nomads Football Club is a Welsh professional football club based in Connah's Quay, Flintshire. They play in the Cymru Premier.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peter Shilton</span> English footballer (born 1949)

Peter Leslie Shilton is an English former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shay Given</span> Irish association football player (born 1976)

Séamus John James Given is an Irish former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest Irish goalkeepers of all time. With 134 caps, he is the second-highest capped Republic of Ireland player.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">FK Partizani Tirana</span> Albanian professional football club

Futboll Klub Partizani, or FK Partizani for short, is an Albanian professional football club based in Tirana, that competes in the Kategoria Superiore. Founded in 1946, the club was historically affiliated to the Albanian army. Partizani's home ground is the newly built stadium at Partizani Complex. The club also uses Arena Kombëtare also known as Air Albania stadium for matches in European competitions and major domestic football derbies in Albania.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John O'Shea</span> Irish footballer and coach

John Francis O'Shea is an Irish professional football coach and former player. He was known for his versatility in playing several defensive and midfield positions on either side of the pitch or the centre. O'Shea spent the majority of his playing career at Manchester United, where he won five Premier League titles, one FA Cup, two Football League Cups, four FA Community Shields, the FIFA Club World Cup and the UEFA Champions League. With 14 winners' medals, he is one of the most decorated Irish footballers of all time; only Denis Irwin, Roy Keane, Steve Heighway and Ronnie Whelan have accrued more honours. He is the current interim manager of the Republic of Ireland national football team.

Terence McDermott is an English former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. Nicknamed "Terry Mac", he is best known as a member of the Liverpool team of the 1970s and early 1980s, where he won three European Cups and five First Division titles. Either side of his time at Anfield, he played for Newcastle United, with his second stint seeing him reunite with former Liverpool teammate Kevin Keegan. Internationally, he was capped 25 times for England, and was part of the of UEFA Euro 1980 and the 1982 FIFA World Cup squads.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tom Heaton</span> English footballer (born 1986)

Thomas David Heaton is an English professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Premier League club Manchester United.

Michael Gary Stevens is an English physiotherapist and retired footballer who played as a right-back.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gary Cahill</span> English footballer (born 1985)

Gary James Cahill is an English former professional footballer who played as a centre-back.

<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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Darren Randolph</span> Irish footballer

Darren Edward Andrew Randolph is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Premier League club AFC Bournemouth. Randolph has also represented Ireland at basketball.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gary Rowett</span> English association football player

Gary Rowett is an English professional football manager and former player who is interim manager of EFL Championship club Birmingham City.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Liverpool F.C. in international football</span> Football club in international competitions

Liverpool Football Club is a professional association football club in Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) competitions. Since 1964, they have won fourteen European and Worldwide trophies, more than any other British club. These consist of the UEFA Champions League six times, the UEFA Europa League three times, the UEFA Super Cup four times and the FIFA Club World Cup once.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1990–91 Manchester United F.C. season</span> 109th season in existence of Manchester United

The 1990–91 season was Manchester United's 89th season in the Football League, and their 16th consecutive season in the top division of English football.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David de Gea</span> Spanish footballer (born 1990)

David de Gea Quintana is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper. He is currently a free agent.

The history of R.S.C. Anderlecht started with the foundation of the association football club Sporting Club Anderlechtois on 27 May 1908 by a dozen of football lovers gathered by Charles Roos at the Concordia café.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of Liverpool F.C. (1959–1985)</span> History of an English football club

The history of Liverpool Football Club from 1959 to 1985 covers the period from the appointment of Bill Shankly as manager of the then-Second Division club, to the Heysel Stadium disaster and its aftermath.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brice Samba</span> Footballer (born 1994)

Brice Lauriche Samba is a professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Ligue 1 club Lens. Born in the Republic of the Congo, he plays for the France national team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016 UEFA Champions League final</span> The final of the 2015–16 edition of the UEFA Champions League

The 2016 UEFA Champions League final was the final match of the 2015–16 UEFA Champions League, the 61st season of Europe's premier club football tournament organised by UEFA, and the 24th season since it was renamed from the European Champion Clubs' Cup to the UEFA Champions League. It was played at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, on 28 May 2016, between Spanish teams Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid, in a repeat of the 2014 final. It was the second time in the tournament's history that both finalists were from the same city. Real Madrid won 5–3 on a penalty shoot-out after a 1–1 draw at the end of extra time, securing a record-extending 11th title in the competition.

James Harrington Trafford is an English professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Premier League club Burnley.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Gary Kelly at the English National Football Archive (subscription required)
  2. Dunk, Peter, ed. (1987). Rothmans Football Yearbook 1987–88. London: Queen Anne Press. p. 250. ISBN   978-0-356-14354-5.
  3. Langley, Mike (28 May 1995). "Spireites reach new heights". The Observer . p. 51. Archived from the original on 24 May 2021. Retrieved 25 May 2021 via Newspapers.com.
  4. "Gary Kelly". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
  5. "A-Z: K is for Kelly". www.oldhamathletic.co.uk. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
  6. "Patterson's RMI sqaud booster". LeighRMI-Mad.co.uk. Leigh Railway Mechanics Institute Football Club. 12 September 2003. Archived from the original on 29 November 2003. Retrieved 3 April 2020.
  7. "Sport: McCarthy plagued by injury problems". RTE. 15 November 1999. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
  8. Lynch. The Official P.F.A. Footballers Heroes. p. 150.