Gary Alexander Kelly is a former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper. He is the son of former Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Alan Kelly Sr..
In 1986, Kelly made his senior debut in a 1–0 win against Wimbledon at St James' Park, also going on to win the club's Young Player of the Year Award that season. Kelly made over fifty league appearances for the Magpies which included saving two penalties in one game against Chelsea. He also saved a penalty against Liverpool at Wembley to knock them out of the Football League Centenary Finals in 1988. In October 1988, he went on loan to Blackpool for a month, as stand-in for Barry Siddall.
In 1989, manager Jim Smith sold Kelly to Bury, with whom he spent the next seven years. He made 236 league appearances for the Gigg Lane club in 1990, he reached the play offs for division 2 losing 2–0 on aggregate to Tranmere Rovers in the semi final and losing 2–1 on aggregate to Bolton Wanderers in the semi final in 1991. Kelly was voted Bury FC Player of the Year in 1992. In 1993, he reached the division 3 play offs losing 1–0 on aggregate to York City in the semi final. He was loaned out to West Ham United in 1994 reaching the quarter final of the FA Cup before losing 3–2 to Luton in a replay and being an unused sub in 16 Premiership games. He did play in the Bobby Moore Testimonial in a 2–1 win over a Premiership select XI at Upton Park. In 1995, Kelly reached the division 3 play off final after beating Preston North End 2-0 on aggregate in the semi final before losing 2-0 to Chesterfield in the final at Wembley Stadium. Kelly was voted into the PFA team of the year by his fellow professionals in 1995 after keeping 23 clean sheets that season. Kelly achieved promotion to League 1 with Bury in 1996.
Oldham Athletic
manager, Graeme Sharp, came in for Kelly's services in 1996, and he went on to make 225 league appearances over seven years for the Latics. Kelly swept the boards in the club's Player of the Year awards in 1997.
Later career
Kelly joined Neil Warnock's Sheffield United in 2003 reaching the semi finals of the FA Cup before losing 1-0 to Arsenal at Old Trafford. He also reached the play offs for the Premier League eventually losing the final 3-0 to Wolves at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff. Kelly's career wound down with short stints at Conference National clubs Northwich Victoria and Leigh RMI where he was player-assistant manager.
International career
At international level Kelly played for the Republic of Ireland national under-19 football team that qualified for the 1983 UEFA European Under-18 Football Championships where despite remaining unbeaten in a group that included eventual winners France they were eliminated. Kelly also played in the 1984 UEFA European Under-18 Championship in Russia. Ireland, based in Leningrad, won their group stage before losing the semi final 2-1 against host country Russia in front of a 40,000 crowd in Dynamo Stadium, Moscow. Ireland lost the 3rd place play off 2-1 to Poland in front of a 60,000 crowd at the Lenin Stadium, Moscow. Kelly was voted goalkeeper of the tournament by legendary Russian goalkeeper Lev Yashin. Ireland's exploits earned them qualification for the 1985 FIFA World Youth Championships in Russia and a first UEFA medal but Kelly was refused permission to be released by his club Newcastle United. Kelly played in the first three games of the 1986 UEFA European Under-18 Football Championship qualification campaign, as Ireland topped the group before new UEFA age restrictions ruled him out of the remaining tournament. Kelly made his Under-21 debut in a friendly in 1985 against England at Fratton Park and played in the 1988 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship qualifiers. He also played in the Toulon Tournament in 1989 not conceding in any of his three games including saving a penalty against hosts France B in a 1-0 play off win. Kelly played at Under 23 level for Ireland in a 3-0 win over Northern Ireland in 1989. He was also selected for Ireland at 'B' level on several occasions playing in a 4-1 win over England in 1990 at Turners Cross, Cork in front of a 10,000 crowd. This remains England's heaviest defeat at 'B' level. Kelly was selected to represent the full squad on ten occasions never once tasting defeat. He was on standby for the 1990 and 1994 FIFA World Cup Finals as Jack Charlton went with an extra outfield player instead of the regulation three goalkeepers in his 22-man squad. His last selection was for the Euro 2000 Championship Play Off 2nd leg against Turkey in Bursa which Republic of Ireland drew 0-0. He was called up to provide cover for Dean Kiely after his brother Alan was injured in the 1st leg.
Personal life
His father, Alan Kelly Sr. and brother, Alan Kelly Jr., were also goalkeepers who played for the Republic of Ireland at full international level. Kelly played Masters Football for Newcastle United winning the Northern Masters in 2003 and 2007 where he was voted player of the tournament. He was also runner up in the Dubai Masters in 2006 losing 1-0 to Liverpool in the final. Kelly achieved his UEFA 'A' Coaching Licence and UEFA Goalkeeping licence in 2007.
