Jimmy Kelly (footballer, born 1954)

Jimmy Kelly (born 6 February 1954) is a Northern Irish former professional footballer who played in the Football League and in the North American Soccer League during the 1970s and early 1980s.

Jimmy Kelly
Personal information
Full name James Kelly
Date of birth (1954-02-06) 6 February 1954
Place of birth Aldergrove, County Antrim, Northern Ireland
Position(s) Left wing
Youth career
Crumlin United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
Glentoran
196x–1971 Cliftonville
1971–1978 Wolverhampton Wanderers 22 (0)
1975Wrexham (loan) 4 (0)
1975–1977 Portland Timbers 49 (3)
1978–1980 Walsall 26 (3)
1980–1981 Kidderminster Harriers
1981 Portland Timbers 10 (0)
1981–1982 Portland Timbers (indoors) 15 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Career

After beginning his career in his native Northern Ireland with Glentoran and Cliftonville, he moved to English First Division side Wolverhampton Wanderers in December 1971. Kelly had to wait until 5 February 1974 to make his club debut, in a 0–1 defeat at Sheffield United, and was not selected again for two further years.

He gained playing time by joining NASL side Portland Timbers in 1975, and also managed a run of nine of Wolves' final ten fixtures of the 1975–76 season as they unsuccessfully battled relegation. After only a handful of further appearances for Wolves during the following two seasons he signed for nearby Walsall in 1978.

In 1981, he returned to North America to again play for the Portland Timbers.

References

  • Matthews, Tony (2008). Wolverhampton Wanderers: The Complete Record. Derby: Breedon Books. ISBN 978-1-85983-632-3.
  • "Kelly's Eye still on Molineux". Wolvesheroes.com. 19 May 2010.
  • "Profile: Jimmy Kelly". NASL Jerseys.
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