Full name Edward Patrick Kelly 1969–1976 Arsenal Place of birth Glasgow, Scotland Name Eddie Kelly | Playing position Role Football player Years Team Position Midfielder | |
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Date of birth (1951-02-07) 7 February 1951 (age 64) Similar People Charlie George, Bertie Mee, Pat Rice, George Graham, Steve Heighway | ||
Former arsenal player eddie kelly interview
Edward Patrick Kelly (born 7 February 1951) is a Scottish former footballer, who played for Arsenal, Queens Park Rangers, Leicester City, Notts County, Bournemouth, Kettering Town and Torquay United.
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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.
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 the first substitute to score in an FA Cup final. Charlie George scored soon after to win the match 2–1.
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 for Arsenal.
Kelly spent only a single season at QPR before being signed for Leicester City by former Arsenal 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.
Personal life
He now lives in Torquay, and works for a double glazing firm.