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"The best right-back in the country" as described by Jack
Charlton a few years ago seemed to go off the boil for a while, but
his speed of reaction and turn of pace meant that he was not often
beaten. For a while he played a slightly more advanced role, but he
returned to play at right back after missing over a year with an
injury picked up in a pre-season game.
At the start of 1999-2000, he found that there was no place for
him in the starting line-up, with the newly-arrived Danny Mills
being given his chance. Mills started well, but then had a couple
of dodgy games, and so Kelly was finally given the chance to
restart his career. He was generally been pretty solid: he doesn't
have the pace he used to, but he's learnt a lot and uses his head
more. His crossing and distribution have improved, but he's still
not developed the best of understandings with the centre backs -
which has led to a couple of goals that we really shouldn't have
conceded, but it's nice to see him back, fit and making a major
overall contribution to the side.
Another injury in 2000-01 gave Danny Mills the chance to reclaim
a place in the starting line-up with the result that Gary has been
back on the bench or only taking up the right-back slot when Mills
was switched to the centre of the defence. He's still doing pretty
well, and deserved the testimonial he got in 2001-02, and he was
widely praised for donating the proceeds of the match against
Celtic to cancer charities - a cause close to his heart following
the untimely death of his sister from the disease.
In 2001-02, Danny Mills was clearly the first choice right back,
and Gary found himself on the bench at best. However Leeds suffered
yet another injury crisis, and that gave him the chance to come
back into the side in midfield, where he played pretty well and put
in some of the best crosses he's managed for years. Danny Mills
managed to get himself a lengthy suspension due to his ever so
slightly brittle temperament - which gave Gary the chance to
re-establish himself in the first team while Mills sat on the
sidelines, and his performances did enough to convince Mick
McCarthy to pick him for the World Cup where he turned in a
creditable set of performances.
Summer 2002 saw him linked with several clubs - Celtic and
Sunderland among them - but he remained at Elland Road and fought
to get back into the starting line-up. With the injuries and player
sales in 2002-03, Danny Mills was forced to fill in at centre back
on occasion, so Kelly has had the chance to operate at right back
once more, as well as producing some good matches on the right side
of midfield.
syngieDELETE@NOSPAM.earthlink.net says: I first heard and saw
Gary Kelly during the 1996 world cup. I was in Dublin while the
boys were in the states. I was immediately smitten by him and...
well, still am. I just wanted to wish him a very happy birthday
from his biggest fan in New York!!!
Charlotte Smith says: HI. My dad did Gary Kelly's roof on his
new house. Nice house Gary. Very trendy. That's my claim to fame
and I thought I would share that little fact with you!
Sean says: he inspires me never to give up. He is strong in
defence and confident in attack. Leeds fans should be grateful they
have such a player. To me he is the best right back Leeds and
Ireland have had.
Priscilla says: My Dad told me that he knew Gary Kelly because
he had done a few drawings of him. Anyway the last match that I
went to, he was signing autographs and to my surprise he called my
Dad's name out!! I couldn't believe it!!! Then as my Dad and I were
walking out of Elland Road Gary Kelly slowed down, waved and then
drove off!! It was a really exciting day!!
Paul Reynard says: Gary Kelly is a lovely man. He oooozes sex
appeal and is a very friendly warm young man. He is a god and we
all love him. Give us a cuddle !!!!
Antony Davies says: I met Gary Kelly in Majestyk around 5 years
ago. He was such an arrogent f**ker and he had me thrown out. Not
such a nice guy.
Emma says: Gary Kelly's the best thing since Roy Keane! Not only
can he play like a dream, be a typical Leeds player and kick the
s*** out of the mancs but he's the best looking player on the team!
Danny Mills needs to watch his back cos if Kells keeps playin like
this he'll have his place back! Keep it up Gaz!
Fiege says: I first saw Gary Kelly scoring against the Germans
on May 29th 94. Since then I loved watching Kelly playing for Leeds
and Ireland. During an exchange program at the LMU in 1999/2000 all
wishes came true... I could watch Gery Kelly live at Elland Road.
He is definitely the best rb in the world
edelle says: I think that gary kelly is georgous.
"Rio Ferdinand, ur a w****" says: ITs time 2 leave Gary! Danny
boy is there 2 stay! Good luck
blgoc says: kells is so cute so are his kids lee and laura i
love him he is so funny kells 4 ever
Emma says: I love Gary Kelly and i know loads of his relations,
sisters and nieces. Hes the nicest fella ever and SO down to earth.
You couldnt find a nicer person than Gary Kelly.
The Queen says: Gary Kelly is my hero . give me his phone number
- please
Emma says: GARY KELLY ROCKS!! I met him and hes the nicest lad
that ive ever met in my whole life! Hes a brilliant footballer and
ALWAYS does us proud. Luv him to bits
Sarah and Emma say: Hi everyone!!! We just wanna say that we
love Gary SOO much and hes the best rb in the world. We are from
DROGHEDA and know loads of his relatives and everyone is so nice
and down to earth, just like Gary! Hes our hero and his kids are
SOO cute, the image of him. He even opened a cancer support centre
in Drogheda on the north rd. Gary youre the coolest ever and well
always love you. Hope you see this. xXx
Sarah says: Hey every one, Well done u played real well
yesterday(25-1-03)We are well proud a ya. It was unfortunate the
way the game went we deserved more we had a good few shots on goal
in da 2 nd half. Good luck against chelsea on Tuesday (we'll kick
ass!!!) & we'll be behind ya's all da way! Love & God bless
Sarah xXxXxXxXxXxXxXx (Drogheda)
nicole says: Well gary. just wanna say that i think that ur
brilliant. u had a great world cup too. im jst after watchin d
video of it and u made some great crosses. esp d 1 against sadia
arabia wen robbie scored. love you loads and loads and u hav a
heart of gold. xxxxxxxxxxx (",)
Jordan - Jones says: Gary Kelly - The coolest bloke in
football.I wrote up to him at leeds , and asked him to sign my
shirt , he wrote back and told me he would . I sent it to him and
he signed it . now if he aint the collest bloke in the world - then
i dun know who is . so back off and leave kelly alone - eny
arguments - phone me
julie says: just wanna say that i totally agree with ya
Jordan-Jones, garys the coolest ever. i wrote to him before last yr
and he wrote back and gav me his autograph. love him loads and
loads
Geri says: luv you Gary. i think ur fine and i heard u hav a
great personallity too. never met u b4 but maybe...hopefully, 1 day
i will. good luck in all ur matches coming up sorry 2 c u wernt
playin against scotland. luv ya and i'll alwayz be supporting u
forever Geri x x x
Sarah says: hey every1!!! great goal gary it was brilliant and
congrats that u's are still in the FA cup.well done.i think ur
great and i luv u to bits.if u c this wil u plz tel me when ur
coming home again cuz i wanna meet u SOOO much.thanx anyways. loads
of love, Sarah xxx
Sarah says: y Gary, Well done the other day you did all of us in
Drogheda well proud;you captained us,scored 4 us & got man of
the match. You won't feel the next 8 years going by!!!!Well good
luck on saturday may be you can make a habit of scorin a few old
goals now and again,eh?! Concentrate on the defending and don't let
Kewell,Smith and Viduka off too handy!! Talk to you soon, Love and
God bless, Sarah xXxXxXx
Geri says: hey every1.jus wanna say hard luck gaz against
newcastle yesterday.i knew it would be tough 4 u's. well good luck
anyway love you loads geri x
hursty says: i love gary kelly to bits i think hes the best
player ever
Sarah says: Hey Gary,Everyone's congratulating Ian on da birth
of new Baby Ciara (including myself) but I thought I'd congratulate
you on becoming a "gran-uncle" for the 1st time-sorry if it makes
you sound old! Well done and hope you stick with Leeds your a
quality player and we're honoured to have you! Good Luck with
Ireland on Saturday-we'll win no bother! Take care and God bless,
SarahxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXx(drogheda)
sharon says: I wrote to gary kelly asking for autographs almost
3 weeks ago and he hasn't wrote back! :(
Sarah says: Good man Jordan u show 'em who's boss!!!
Sharon says: when you wrote to him looking for an autograph how
long did it take for him to write back? I'd really like an
autograph from him, cos like wat Jordan said He's one of the
coolest blokes in football
Sarah says: hey gaz,i just got word that ur pullin out of
Irelands nxt 2 matches.. georgia and albania i was dissapointed to
hear dis but u take it easy and make sure you recover fully and be
back in top gear in september!! see you n lansdowne den!! love and
God bless,
louisa loomes says: i met gary kelly in a niteclub in
Portmarnock dublin and asked for his autograph for my sister who
loves him to pieces except i was quite drunk and i got him mixed up
with another guy from faircity who my sister also loves.i called
him the wrong name and made a general asshole of myself.i woke in
the morning and realised what happened and i wanted to shoot
myself.i dont know what i was thinking because i really liked him
too.
Sarah says: woohoo!!!!!!!! up da bhoys in green missed ya loads
Gaz c ya in september! x
Sarah says: i didn't hear any rumour linking ian with Parma!!
what is this all about? hey ian i havn't seen u a lot coz u wern't
playing for ireland in a while, hopefully u'll be back soon enough.
i can't wait to see u on tv again! luv ya lots, xxxxx
Laura C says: Gary, I first became a fan of yours 9years ago. I
thought the world of you then and nothings changed since, I still
think you're the best! Your family are the salt of the earth and
you're such a nice person as well as being a brilliant player! hope
the golf classic goes well and you raise loadsa money coz its a
great cause. really missed you from the Irish squad and hope you'll
be ok for the Aussie match. love you loads Gary xxx P.S love ur
comments sarah!
emma says: heya Gary!!! im only home from my holidays but just
want to say what a pet you are for raising all that money in the
golf classic for the cancer centre. its wonderful to see something
like that. well done again and really looking forward to seeing you
play in september. luv ya so much xXx
Mel says: I cant believe Kells has retired from Ireland its not
fair that he doesnt get picked!
Sarah says: hey Gaz, I was sad to see you leave the Irish
squad,but after i thought about it i tink you made the rite
decisions I mean u can't play wit Leeds every sat nd den fly out 2
dub of a monday 2 play wit your country on a wed i mean what kind
of life is that,ur better off enjoying your football now your at
your best! I know now u can concentrate on Leeds a hundred per cent
this season nd do ur best to keep us up der and competing with the
best of them after all wen Leeds ar in form we are up there wit the
best of them!keep up the good work Gaz your doin all of us at home
here proud what ever your decisions are. Thanks for your more than
generous contribution to the Irish squad over the last number of
years and I know u wil keep contributing to it not as a player but
as a fan,thanks for all the memories with Ireland and I'm looking
forward to more over the coming season with Leeds, Thanks for every
thing Gary. Love,best wishes and God bless. Sarah xx x x xx x
(Co.Louth)
ina says: is he married?i would love to be ur wife,honey!
Jen says: I saw Gary Kelly play tonight and he was fantastic and
brilliant as per usual, against Cambridge United. keep up the good
playing. XXXXXXX
rach says: ne1 no how old his kids are?
Sarah says: hi ina yea he's married wit 2 kads1 rach yea his
girl is bout 7 nd his son round 5!
Sarah says: hey Gary!!! hwz a goin!thanks for all your
contribution 2 da leeds squad we just wouldn't be the same with out
ya!it's tough being a leeds fan but knowing the players are as
hungryfor victory as we are makes it rhat much easier nd i'd like
to thank you for that!fair play to ya keep up da good work we'l
always be behind you-no matter what! lova nd best wishes Sarah x x
x x
Marc Cole says: I meet Gary Kelly and got his autograph in
cineworld in bexleyheath when they were down to meet Charlton this
autograph is up for sale for a £1 and above
Mary says: You're a so lucky to be related to Ian Harte coz he
has thee sexiest body eva! N he's savage and when he scores, he
also makes sure it's an absolute cracker!
adam robinson says: gary's kids are called lee and laura. lee is
4 laura is 6 gary does notawant a pay cut, hartey wants smudger to
stay
Ste says: The little crazy Oirish mad man made it into my all
time team - versatile and mental, stood the test of time and shades
it as Super Leeds all time best 'roit back, so he does! Oh be Jesus
hie nephew was SHOIT though'
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