Gary Kelly

Gary Kelly may refer to:

Gary Kelly (footballer, born 1966)

Gary Kelly (born 3 August 1966 in Preston) is an Irish former professional football goalkeeper. He is the son of former Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Alan Kelly, Sr..

Kelly began his career as an apprentice with Arthur Cox's Newcastle United in 1982 becoming boot boy to legendary former England captain and European Footballer of the Year Kevin Keegan. Kelly signed professional in 1984 as Jack Charlton took over as manager and as Newcastle United earned promotion to Division 1. Gary went on to win the F.A Youth Cup in 1985 beating Watford 4-1 on aggregate in a Paul Gascoigne inspired Newcastle United. In 1986, Kelly made his senior debut in a 1-0 win against Wimbledon at St James' Park, also going on to win the club's Young Player of the Year Award that season.

Gary made over fifty league appearances for the Magpies which included saving two penalties in one game against Chelsea. He also saved a penalty against Liverpool at Wembley to knock them out of 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.

Gary Kelly (footballer, born 1974)

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

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.

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.

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, 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.