Andy Kelly (rugby league)


Andy Kelly, also known by the nicknames of "Boot", and "Big Andy", is an English former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1980s and 1990s, and coached in the 1990s, 2000s and 2010s. He played at representative level for England, and at club level for Wakefield Trinity , Hull Kingston Rovers and the Illawarra Steelers, as a, and has coached at representative level for Ireland, and at club level for Wakefield Trinity/Wakefield Trinity Wildcats, Gateshead Thunder, Featherstone Rovers and the Dewsbury Rams.

Background

Andy Kelly was born in Wakefield, West Riding of Yorkshire, England.

Playing career

International honours

Andy Kelly won a cap for England while at Wakefield Trinity in 1984 against Wales.

Challenge Cup Final appearances

Andy Kelly played left-, i.e. number 11, in Hull Kingston Rovers' 14–15 defeat by Castleford in the 1983–84 Challenge Cup Final during the 1984–85 season at Wembley Stadium, London, on Saturday 3 May 1986, in front of a crowd of 82,134.

County Cup Final appearances

Andy Kelly played right-, i.e. number 12, in Hull Kingston Rovers' 12–29 defeat by Hull F.C. in the 1984–85 Yorkshire County Cup Final during the 1984–85 season at Boothferry Park, Kingston upon Hull, on Saturday 27 October 1984, played as an interchange/substitute, i.e. number 15, in the 22–18 victory over Castleford in the 1985–86 Yorkshire County Cup Final during the 1985–86 season at Headingley Rugby Stadium, Leeds, on Sunday 27 October 1985, and played left-, i.e. number 11, and was captain in Wakefield Trinity's 8–11 defeat by Castleford in the 1990–91 Yorkshire County Cup Final during the 1990–91 season at Elland Road, Leeds, on Sunday 23 September 1990.

John Player Special Trophy Final appearances

Andy Kelly played right-, i.e. number 12, in Hull Kingston Rovers' 8–11 defeat by Wigan in the 1985–86 John Player Special Trophy Final during the 1985–86 season at Elland Road, Leeds on Saturday 11 January 1986.

Playing career

During his time at Wakefield Trinity he scored fifteen 3-point tries and, fifteen 4-point tries.

Coaching career

He is the former head coach of the Ireland national rugby league team having coached them for over 11 years. He is the former coach of Dewsbury Rams, Wakefield Trinity/Wakefield Trinity Wildcats, Featherstone Rovers and Gateshead.
He is currently head of youth at Huddersfield Giants and recently helped the Giants Academy team reach the grand final play offs for the first time

Genealogical information

Andy Kelly is one of three brothers to have played professional Rugby league; Neil Kelly played for Wakefield Trinity, Dewsbury Rams, Hunslet and Featherstone Rovers and Richard Kelly played for Wakefield Trinity and Dewsbury Rams during the 1980s and 1990s.