Eddie Kelly (footballer)

Edward Patrick Kelly (born 7 February 1951) is a Scottish former footballer, who played as a midfielder. Kelly featured for clubs Arsenal, Queens Park Rangers, Leicester City, Notts County, Bournemouth, Kettering Town and Torquay United.[2][3][4]

Eddie Kelly
Eddie Kelly, April 1970
Personal information
Full name Edward Patrick Kelly[1]
Date of birth (1951-02-07) 7 February 1951
Place of birth Arbroath, Scotland
Position(s) Midfielder
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1969–1976 Arsenal 175 (13)
1976–1977 Queens Park Rangers 28 (1)
1977–1980 Leicester City 85 (3)
1980–1981 Notts County 27 (1)
1981 Bournemouth 13 (0)
1981–1983 Leicester City 34 (0)
1983–1984 Kettering Town 1 (0)
1984–1986 Torquay United 35 (1)
Total 397 (19)
National team
1971–1974 Scotland U23 3 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Club career

Kelly was born in Glasgow and played for local side Possilpark Depot, before moving south to join English club Arsenal as an apprentice in July 1966; he turned professional 18 months later. A regular in the reserves and for Scotland U-23 side, he made his debut for Arsenal on 6 September 1969 against Sheffield Wednesday and quickly made a name for himself. He made 16 appearances in the 1969–70 season, including scoring a goal in the Gunners' 4–3 aggregate win over Anderlecht in the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup final.[3][2][4]

Better was to come the next season for the young central midfielder. Kelly made 34 appearances as Arsenal won the Double; he came on as a substitute in the FA Cup final against Liverpool, and scored the Gunners' equaliser in extra time in a goalmouth scramble. George Graham made a claim for the goal, but the replays show Kelly was the last Arsenal player to touch the ball. Kelly was thus the first substitute to score in an FA Cup final.[5] Charlie George scored soon after to win the match 2–1.[3][2][4]

Injury hampered Kelly's next two seasons at Arsenal, but he became a near-ever present in 1974–75. He was made club captain at the age of 23; only Tony Adams has captained Arsenal at a younger age. However, Kelly lost his place the following season and became quite unsettled. After making a transfer request, he joined Queens Park Rangers in September 1976, having played 222 times and scoring nine goals altogether for Arsenal.[3][2][4]

Kelly spent only a single season at QPR before being signed for Leicester City by former Arsenal and QPR teammate Frank McLintock in the summer of 1977. He spent three seasons at Filbert Street, playing 119 times and scoring 3 goals. Leicester were relegated to the Second Division in 1978 but then returned to the top flight as champions the following year. He went on to have short spells at Notts County, Bournemouth and Torquay United, before retiring.[3][2][4]

International career

Kelly featured for Scotland's Under 19 and Under 23 teams.[4][3]

Personal life

He now lives in Torquay, and works for a double glazing firm.[6]

Honours

Arsenal

Leicester City

References
  1. "Eddie Kelly". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 30 March 2017.
  2. "Eddie Kelly: Profile". Arsenal.com.
  3. "Eddie Kelly: Defining Moments". Arsenal.com.
  4. "Former Player Remembers: Eddie Kelly". LCFC.com.
  5. Firsts, Lasts & Onlys - Paul Donnelley (Bounty Books, 2012)
  6. "Eddie KELLY". Where Are They Now.co.uk.
  • Eddie Kelly at Post War English & Scottish Football League A–Z Player's Database
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