Gary Kelly (footballer born 1966)
Encyclopedia
Gareth "Gary" Kelly is an Irish
former professional football goalkeeper. He is the son of former Irish international goalkeeper Alan Kelly, Sr.
Kelly began his career with Jack Charlton
's Newcastle United
in 1984. In five years with the club, he made just over fifty league appearances. In October 1988, he went on loan to Blackpool
for a month, as stand-in for Barry Siddall
.
In 1989, Kelly joined Bury
, with whom he spent the next seven years. He made 236 league appearances for the Gigg Lane
club. He was loaned out to West Ham
in 1994.
Oldham Athletic came in for Kelly's services in 1996, and he went on to make 226 league appearances over seven years for the Latics, winning the Fans' Player of the Year award in 1999.
Kelly's career wound down with short stints at Northwich Victoria
, Sheffield United
and Leigh Genesis.
At international level, Gary played for the Republic of Ireland
at under-21 and "B" level. His brother, Alan Kelly, Jr., and father also played for the Republic of Ireland.
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
former professional football goalkeeper. He is the son of former Irish international goalkeeper Alan Kelly, Sr.
Alan Kelly, Sr.
Alan Kelly was an Irish international football goalkeeper who played for Bray Wanderers and Drumcondra in his home country, and most notably for Preston North End in England...
Kelly began his career with Jack Charlton
Jack Charlton
John "Jack" Charlton, OBE, DL is a former footballer and manager who played for Leeds United in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, and was part of the England team who won the 1966 World Cup...
's Newcastle United
Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
in 1984. In five years with the club, he made just over fifty league appearances. In October 1988, he went on loan to Blackpool
Blackpool F.C.
Blackpool Football Club are an English football club founded in 1887 from the Lancashire seaside town of Blackpool. They are competing in the 2011–12 season of the The Championship, the second tier of professional football in England, having been relegated from the Premier League at the end of the...
for a month, as stand-in for Barry Siddall
Barry Siddall
Barry Alfred Siddall is an English former professional football goalkeeper. When he retired from the game he had made 614 appearances to his name over a 21-year career in the Football League, playing for numerous clubs....
.
In 1989, Kelly joined Bury
Bury F.C.
Bury Football Club is an association football team based in Bury, Greater Manchester. The team currently play in League One. The club's nickname is The Shakers which was bestowed upon them by club chairman JT Ingham, an industrialist and ironmonger of the late 1890s.-Formation of the club and the...
, with whom he spent the next seven years. He made 236 league appearances for the Gigg Lane
Gigg Lane
Gigg Lane is an all-seater football stadium in Bury, Greater Manchester, England. Historically within Lancashire, it was built for Bury F.C. in 1885, and has been their home ever since.-History:...
club. He was loaned out to West Ham
West Ham United F.C.
West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. They play in The Football League Championship. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. In 1904 the club relocated to their current...
in 1994.
Oldham Athletic came in for Kelly's services in 1996, and he went on to make 226 league appearances over seven years for the Latics, winning the Fans' Player of the Year award in 1999.
Kelly's career wound down with short stints at Northwich Victoria
Northwich Victoria F.C.
Northwich Victoria Football Club are an English football club who play at the Victoria Stadium in Wincham, Northwich, Cheshire in the Northern Premier League Premier Division, the seventh tier of the English football league system.Northwich are an old club, founded in 1874 and named in honour of...
, Sheffield United
Sheffield United F.C.
Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production...
and Leigh Genesis.
At international level, Gary played for the Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland national football team
The Republic of Ireland national football team represents Ireland in association football. It is run by the Football Association of Ireland and currently plays home fixtures at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, which opened in May 2010....
at under-21 and "B" level. His brother, Alan Kelly, Jr., and father also played for the Republic of Ireland.