Hugh Kelly (goalkeeper)
Encyclopedia
Hugh Redmond Kelly was an Irish professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper for various clubs in Northern Ireland and England, making four international appearances for Ireland.
and played Gaelic football
with Clan na Gael
while working in the family drapery
firm. He also represented County Armagh
in Gaelic handball
. He was invited to play Association football for Glenavon
by manager Andy Wylie, who had been impressed with his ball-handling skills.
He started his career with Glenavon as an inside-forward, but played as goalkeeper when the regular custodian failed to arrive for a match. He became established as the first choice 'keeper for Glenavon from early in 1937, and soon became recognized as one of the best goalkeepers in Northern Ireland, being selected to represent the Irish League against the Scots in September 1938.
In 1940, he helped Glenavon reach the final of the Irish Cup
, losing 2–0 to Ballymena United
. In January 1941, Glenavon suffered a nightmare defeat at the hands of Belfast Celtic, losing 13–0 with Peter O'Connor scoring eleven — this remains an individual British Isles record.
Despite this embarrassing defeat, Belfast Celtic's manager, Elisha Scott
(a former goalkeeper), signed Kelly in the summer of 1941 to replace Tommy Breen
. Whilst with the Celtic Park
club, Kelly claimed two Irish Cup winner's medals with victories over Glentoran
in 1943 (1–0) and Linfield
in 1944 (3–1).
Kelly may have claimed more honours but a contractual dispute left him on the side-lines for some time. Never afraid to stand-up to authority, when he was reprimanded by Scott with the words, "My grandmother could have played better out there" Kelly adjusted the following week's team-sheet, putting a line through his own name and replacing it with "Lish’s granny".
Kelly made his final appearances for the club during their spring 1949 tour of the United States; during that tour, Belfast Celtic defeated Scotland
2–0 with Kelly in goal. By this time, Belfast Celtic were embroiled in financial problems and about to quit the Irish League and were eventually disbanded. In order to raise funds, Kelly and three of his team-mates (including Johnny Campbell
) had been sold to Fulham
for a combined fee of £25,000 before the tour to America.
, who was transferred to Millwall
. He spent one season at Craven Cottage
in the Football League First Division
, with the club finishing 17th in the table. He became noted as one of the heaviest goalkeepers in the Football League, with his weight reaching nearly 14 stone.
Kelly earned his first international cap on 16 November 1949 against England
in a World Cup qualifier, replacing his namesake Pat Kelly
who had conceded eight goals in the previous international against the Scots. Hugh Kelly conceded nine goals against the English, of which four were scored by Jack Rowley
and two each by Jack Froggatt
and Stan Mortensen
. Despite the margin of defeat, Kelly was awarded his second cap, against Wales
on 8 March 1950, this time keeping a clean sheet in a goalless draw.
In August 1950, he dropped down to the Second Division
, when he joined Southampton
in a straight swap for Scottish international 'keeper, Ian Black
.
At The Dell, Kelly earned a reputation as a "colourful character", who would often gather the ball single-handed as in Gaelic Football. During his first season with the "Saints", Kelly earned a further two international caps against England (lost 4–1) and Scotland (lost 6-1), before Hinton was recalled.
By the end of the season, Kelly had fallen out of favour with the Southampton manager, Sid Cann
, following disciplinary problems after a match at Leicester
in April 1951. After the match, the team stayed in the Midlands to play a friendly match at Boston
. Kelly returned to the team hotel with Ken Chisholm of Coventry City
and two young ladies. When the Southampton trainer, Jimmy Easson
, tried to get the ladies to leave, he and Kelly had an argument which culminated in Kelly giving the trainer a black eye
. As a result, Kelly was immediately placed on the transfer-list, with John Christie
taking over from him in goal for the last two matches of the season. By now completely out of favour, Kelly was fifth choice 'keeper behind Fred Kiernan
, Christie, Len Stansbridge
and Eddie Thomas
and was unable even to get a match in the reserves, spending the whole of 1951–52 on the sidelines, with some time back in Ireland.
Eventually, he was "rescued" by Exeter City
, whom he joined in June 1952, spending four years in Devon
before winding up his career at Weymouth
.
Belfast Celtic
Northern Ireland
Kelly was born in LurganLurgan
Lurgan is a town in County Armagh, Northern Ireland. The town is near the southern shore of Lough Neagh and in the north-eastern corner of the county. Part of the Craigavon Borough Council area, Lurgan is about 18 miles south-west of Belfast and is linked to the city by both the M1 motorway...
and played Gaelic football
Gaelic football
Gaelic football , commonly referred to as "football" or "Gaelic", or "Gah" is a form of football played mainly in Ireland...
with Clan na Gael
Clan na Gael CLG
Clan na Gael is a Gaelic Athletic Association club situated in the town of Lurgan, County Armagh, Northern Ireland. The club was formed in 1922 in the Francis Street area following the demise of its predecessors, The Michael Davitts. The club's pitch, Davitt Park is still named in honour of Michael...
while working in the family drapery
Drapery
Drapery is a general word referring to cloths or textiles . It may refer to cloth used for decorative purposes – such as around windows – or to the trade of retailing cloth, originally mostly for clothing, formerly conducted by drapers.In art history, drapery refers to any cloth or...
firm. He also represented County Armagh
County Armagh
-History:Ancient Armagh was the territory of the Ulaid before the fourth century AD. It was ruled by the Red Branch, whose capital was Emain Macha near Armagh. The site, and subsequently the city, were named after the goddess Macha...
in Gaelic handball
Gaelic handball
Gaelic handball is a sport similar to Basque pelota, racquetball, squash and American handball . It is one of the four Gaelic games organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association...
. He was invited to play Association football for Glenavon
Glenavon F.C.
Glenavon F.C. is a semi-professional, Northern Irish football club playing in the IFA Premiership. The club, founded in 1889, hails from Lurgan and plays its home matches at Mourneview Park...
by manager Andy Wylie, who had been impressed with his ball-handling skills.
He started his career with Glenavon as an inside-forward, but played as goalkeeper when the regular custodian failed to arrive for a match. He became established as the first choice 'keeper for Glenavon from early in 1937, and soon became recognized as one of the best goalkeepers in Northern Ireland, being selected to represent the Irish League against the Scots in September 1938.
In 1940, he helped Glenavon reach the final of the Irish Cup
Irish Cup
For the equivalent tournament in the Republic of Ireland, see FAI Cup.The Irish Cup is the national cup knock-out competition in Northern Irish football. Inaugurated in 1881, it is the fourth oldest national cup competition in the world...
, losing 2–0 to Ballymena United
Ballymena United F.C.
Ballymena United, is a semi-professional, Northern Irish football club playing in the IFA Premiership. The club hails from the town of Ballymena, County Antrim and plays its home matches at Ballymena Showgrounds. Club colours are sky blue and white. Away Colours are Red and BlackThe club was...
. In January 1941, Glenavon suffered a nightmare defeat at the hands of Belfast Celtic, losing 13–0 with Peter O'Connor scoring eleven — this remains an individual British Isles record.
Despite this embarrassing defeat, Belfast Celtic's manager, Elisha Scott
Elisha Scott
Elisha Scott was an Irish football goalkeeper who most notably played for Liverpool from 1912 to 1934 .-Life and playing career:...
(a former goalkeeper), signed Kelly in the summer of 1941 to replace Tommy Breen
Tommy Breen
Tommy Breen is a former Irish footballer who played as a goalkeeper for, amongst others, Belfast Celtic, Manchester United, Linfield and Shamrock Rovers...
. Whilst with the Celtic Park
Celtic Park (Belfast)
Celtic Park was a multi-use stadium in Belfast, Northern Ireland. It was used mostly for football matches and was the home of Belfast Celtic F.C.. It was also a greyhound racing course. The stadium was able to hold 50,000 spectators at its height...
club, Kelly claimed two Irish Cup winner's medals with victories over Glentoran
Glentoran F.C.
Glentoran F.C. is a semi-professional, football club in Northern Ireland. The club was founded in 1882 and plays its home games at the Oval in east Belfast. Club colours are green, red, and black.Glentoran's biggest rivals are Linfield...
in 1943 (1–0) and Linfield
Linfield F.C.
Linfield F.C. , is a semi-professional, Northern Irish football club, whose home ground is Windsor Park in Belfast, which is also the home of the Northern Ireland international team....
in 1944 (3–1).
Kelly may have claimed more honours but a contractual dispute left him on the side-lines for some time. Never afraid to stand-up to authority, when he was reprimanded by Scott with the words, "My grandmother could have played better out there" Kelly adjusted the following week's team-sheet, putting a line through his own name and replacing it with "Lish’s granny".
Kelly made his final appearances for the club during their spring 1949 tour of the United States; during that tour, Belfast Celtic defeated Scotland
Scotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
2–0 with Kelly in goal. By this time, Belfast Celtic were embroiled in financial problems and about to quit the Irish League and were eventually disbanded. In order to raise funds, Kelly and three of his team-mates (including Johnny Campbell
Johnny Campbell
John "Johnny" Peter Campbell was a footballer from Derry, Northern Ireland.Campbell grew up playing Gaelic football at school. He was also an accomplished sprinter, and an Ulster champion over 100 and 200 metres. He first played football for Foyle Harps, before being signed-up by Derry City, and...
) had been sold to Fulham
Fulham F.C.
Fulham Football Club is a professional English Premier League club based in southwest London Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Founded in 1879, they play in the Premier League, their 11th current season...
for a combined fee of £25,000 before the tour to America.
England
At Fulham, Kelly took the place of another Irish international goalkeeper, Ted HintonTed Hinton (footballer)
Edward Hinton , is a Northern Irish international footballer who played as a goalkeeper in the Football League.-External links:**...
, who was transferred to Millwall
Millwall F.C.
Millwall Football Club is an English professional football club based in South Bermondsey, south east London, that plays in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football. Founded as Millwall Rovers in 1885, the club has retained its name despite having last played in the...
. He spent one season at Craven Cottage
Craven Cottage
Craven Cottage is the name of a football stadium in the Hammersmith and Fulham area that has been the home ground of the association football team Fulham F.C. since 1896....
in the Football League First Division
Football League First Division
The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
, with the club finishing 17th in the table. He became noted as one of the heaviest goalkeepers in the Football League, with his weight reaching nearly 14 stone.
Kelly earned his first international cap on 16 November 1949 against England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
in a World Cup qualifier, replacing his namesake Pat Kelly
Patrick Kelly (footballer)
Patrick Michael Kelly was an Irish professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper, spending most of his career with Barnsley and making one international appearance for Ireland.-Football career:...
who had conceded eight goals in the previous international against the Scots. Hugh Kelly conceded nine goals against the English, of which four were scored by Jack Rowley
Jack Rowley
John Frederick "Jack" Rowley was an English football striker from the 1930s to the 1950s, mainly remembered for playing for Manchester United. He was nicknamed "The Gunner" because of his prolific and explosive goalscoring, achieving scoring statistics with United of 208 goals in 422 appearances...
and two each by Jack Froggatt
Jack Froggatt
Jolly' Jack Froggatt was an English football player.-Career:Coming from a footballing family, Froggatt started his football career in 1945, whilst in the RAF...
and Stan Mortensen
Stan Mortensen
Stanley Harding "Stan" Mortensen was an English professional footballer, most famous for his part in the 1953 FA Cup Final , in which he became the only player ever to score a hat-trick in a Wembley FA Cup Final...
. Despite the margin of defeat, Kelly was awarded his second cap, against Wales
Wales national football team
The Wales national football team represents Wales in international football. It is controlled by the Football Association of Wales , the governing body for football in Wales, and the third oldest national football association in the world. The team have only qualified for a major international...
on 8 March 1950, this time keeping a clean sheet in a goalless draw.
In August 1950, he dropped down to the Second Division
Football League Second Division
From 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
, when he joined Southampton
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
in a straight swap for Scottish international 'keeper, Ian Black
Ian Black (footballer born 1924)
Ian Henderson Black is a former Scottish football goalkeeper. Black played for Aberdeen, Southampton and Fulham, and also played one game for Scotland....
.
At The Dell, Kelly earned a reputation as a "colourful character", who would often gather the ball single-handed as in Gaelic Football. During his first season with the "Saints", Kelly earned a further two international caps against England (lost 4–1) and Scotland (lost 6-1), before Hinton was recalled.
By the end of the season, Kelly had fallen out of favour with the Southampton manager, Sid Cann
Sid Cann
Sydney Thomas Cann was an English professional football defender and football manager. He was capped twice by England at Schools level.-Playing career:...
, following disciplinary problems after a match at Leicester
Leicester City F.C.
Leicester City Football Club , also known as The Foxes, is an English professional football club based at the King Power Stadium in Leicester...
in April 1951. After the match, the team stayed in the Midlands to play a friendly match at Boston
Boston, Lincolnshire
Boston is a town and small port in Lincolnshire, on the east coast of England. It is the largest town of the wider Borough of Boston local government district and had a total population of 55,750 at the 2001 census...
. Kelly returned to the team hotel with Ken Chisholm of Coventry City
Coventry City F.C.
Coventry City Football Club, otherwise known as the Sky Blues owing to the traditional colour of their strip, are a professional English Football league club based in Coventry...
and two young ladies. When the Southampton trainer, Jimmy Easson
Jimmy Easson
James Ferrier "Jimmy" Easson was a Scottish footballer who played as an inside-forward for Portsmouth in the English Football League, helping them reach the FA Cup Final in 1934...
, tried to get the ladies to leave, he and Kelly had an argument which culminated in Kelly giving the trainer a black eye
Black eye
A black eye , or or 'shiner', is bruising around the eye commonly due to an injury to the face rather than eye injury. The name is given due to the color of bruising. The so-called black eye is caused by bleeding beneath the skin and around the eye...
. As a result, Kelly was immediately placed on the transfer-list, with John Christie
John Christie (footballer born 1929)
John Alexander Christie is a retired football goalkeeper who played for Southampton F.C. for most of the 1950s.-Playing career:...
taking over from him in goal for the last two matches of the season. By now completely out of favour, Kelly was fifth choice 'keeper behind Fred Kiernan
Fred Kiernan
Frederick William Kiernan was an Irish professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper in the 1940s and 1950s.-Playing career:...
, Christie, Len Stansbridge
Len Stansbridge
Leonard Edward Charles Stansbridge was an English footballer, who played as a goalkeeper for Southampton in the period either side of the Second World War.-Football career:...
and Eddie Thomas
Eddie Thomas (footballer)
Edwin Henry Charles "Eddie" Thomas is a retired English footballer, who played as a goalkeeper for Southampton in the early 1950s.-Football career:...
and was unable even to get a match in the reserves, spending the whole of 1951–52 on the sidelines, with some time back in Ireland.
Eventually, he was "rescued" by Exeter City
Exeter City F.C.
Exeter City Football Club is an English football club, based in Exeter, which is owned by its fans through the Exeter City Supporters Trust.The club was a member of the Football League from 1920 to 2003...
, whom he joined in June 1952, spending four years in Devon
Devon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
before winding up his career at Weymouth
Weymouth F.C.
Weymouth F.C. are an English football club based in the town of Weymouth, who currently play in the Southern League Premier Division.-History:Weymouth Football Club were founded in 1890 and played their first game on 24 September of that year...
.
International appearances
Kelly made four appearances for Ireland in international matches as follows:| Date | Venue | Opponent | Result | Goals | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 November 1949 | Maine Road Maine Road Maine Road was a football stadium in Moss Side, Manchester, England that was home to Manchester City F.C. from its construction in 1923 until 2003... , Manchester Manchester Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater... |
2–9 | 0 | World Cup qualifier | |
| 8 March 1950 | Racecourse Ground Racecourse Ground The Glyndŵr University Racecourse Stadium AKA The Racecourse Ground is a stadium located in Wrexham, North Wales. It is the home of Wrexham F.C. and, since 2010, the Crusaders Rugby League team who play in the engage Super League... , Wrexham Wrexham Wrexham is a town in Wales. It is the administrative centre of the wider Wrexham County Borough, and the largest town in North Wales, located in the east of the region. It is situated between the Welsh mountains and the lower Dee Valley close to the border with Cheshire, England... |
0–0 | 0 | World Cup qualifier | |
| 7 October 1950 | Windsor Park Windsor Park Windsor Park is a football stadium in Belfast, Northern Ireland and the home ground of Linfield F.C. and the Northern Ireland national football team. It is also where the Irish Cup and Irish League Cup finals are played.-History:... , Belfast Belfast Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly... |
1–4 | 0 | British Home Championship 1951 British Home Championship The 1951 British Home Championship football tournament was the Home Nations follow-up to England's disastrous appearance at their first World Cup, the 1950 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. There the much vaunted English had been beaten by the USA and Spain. The Scots had refused to go, and the Welsh and... |
|
| 1 November 1950 | Hampden Park Hampden Park Hampden Park is a football stadium in the Mount Florida area of Glasgow, Scotland. The 52,063 capacity venue serves as the national stadium of football in Scotland... , Glasgow Glasgow Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands... |
1–6 | 0 | British Home Championship | |
Honours
GlenavonGlenavon F.C.
Glenavon F.C. is a semi-professional, Northern Irish football club playing in the IFA Premiership. The club, founded in 1889, hails from Lurgan and plays its home matches at Mourneview Park...
- Irish CupIrish CupFor the equivalent tournament in the Republic of Ireland, see FAI Cup.The Irish Cup is the national cup knock-out competition in Northern Irish football. Inaugurated in 1881, it is the fourth oldest national cup competition in the world...
finalist: 1940
Belfast Celtic
- Irish CupIrish CupFor the equivalent tournament in the Republic of Ireland, see FAI Cup.The Irish Cup is the national cup knock-out competition in Northern Irish football. Inaugurated in 1881, it is the fourth oldest national cup competition in the world...
winners: 1943 & 1944 - Irish League champions: 1947–48