Gary Kelly (born 9 July 1974 in Drogheda, County Louth) is an Irish former professional footballer who played his entire professional career with Leeds United. He played as a right back or a right midfielder and made 531 appearances in total for Leeds, being the only player from the non-Don Revie era at Leeds to join the 500 appearances club.

[edit] Biography

Kelly, the youngest of a family of thirteen, 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.^[1].

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. 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 U.S.A. He was once of the "Three Amigos" alongside Phil Babb and Jason McAteer whose youthful exuberance rejuvenated an ageing Irish squad and even scored the winner in a 1-0 victory over Germany in a warm-up friendly before those finals. So consistent was his performances for Leeds over the following number of seasons, Kelly was installed by George Graham as his skipper in the 97/98 season, at the age of 23.

Kelly was more or less 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 99/00, making the right back role his own, despite the signing of Danny Mills in the summer of 1999. And once again he 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. Seen by a crowd of 26,440, Celtic won this match.

Kelly won 51 international caps playing for the Republic of Ireland, before his retirement from international football. He represented them at both the 1994 FIFA World Cup and 2002 FIFA World Cup. 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, Kelly 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.

After 16 years 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 other Leeds United legends of the past Paul Reaney, Allan Clarke, Mick Jones, and Frank Worthington^[2]. He retired at the end of the season, aged 32^[3].

Kelly is the uncle of fellow Irish international and Leeds teammate Ian Harte. Uncle and nephew were both part of Ireland's 2002 World Cup squad.

[edit] Kelly the Prankster

Kelly was also regarded amongst the Leeds squad as some what of 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^[1]. Byrne used to be part of the youth team set up at Leeds United during the mid-1990s, and is good friends with Kelly, even having cleaned his boots when he was a trainee at the club. He also wore the Lucas The Kop Kat head whilst appearing on SKY's Soccer AM Crossbar Challenge.

[edit] Career statistics

^[4]

[edit] See also

• One-club man

[edit] References

1. ^ ^{a b} Gary Kelly Testimonial Program. Leeds United Vs. Celtic, Tuesday 7th May 2002
2. ^ "Farewell Gary". LeedsUnited.com. 30 April 2007. http://www.leedsunited.com/page/NewsroomDetail/0,,10273~1018589,00.html. Retrieved 2007-04-30. 
3. ^ "Farewell Kells". LeedsUnited.com. 27 April 2007. http://www.leedsunited.com/page/NewsroomDetail/0,,10273~1017222,00.html. Retrieved 2007-04-27. 
4. ^ leedsfans.org.uk: Leeds United Player Profile: Gary Kelly

[edit] External links

• Leeds United profile
• LeedsFans profile
• Gary Kelly career stats at Soccerbase

v • d • e Republic of Ireland squad – 1994 FIFA World Cup 1 Bonner • 2 Irwin • 3 Phelan • 4 Moran • 5 McGrath • 6 Keane • 7 Townsend • 8 Houghton • 9 Aldridge • 10 Sheridan • 11 Staunton • 12 G. Kelly • 13 Kernaghan • 14 Babb • 15 Coyne • 16 Cascarino • 17 McGoldrick • 18 Whelan • 19 McLoughlin • 20 D. Kelly • 21 McAteer • 22 A. Kelly • Coach: Charlton

v • d • e Republic of Ireland squad – 2002 FIFA World Cup 1 Given • 2 Finnan • 3 Harte • 4 Cunningham • 5 Staunton • 6 Roy Keane • 7 McAteer • 8 Holland • 9 Duff • 10 Robbie Keane • 11 Kilbane • 12 Kinsella • 13 Connolly • 14 Breen • 15 Dunne • 16 Kiely • 17 Quinn • 18 G. Kelly • 19 Morrison • 20 O'Brien • 21 Reid • 22 Carsley • 23 A. Kelly • Coach: McCarthy