Gary Kelly facts for kids
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Gary Kelly | ||
| Date of birth | 9 July 1974 | ||
| Place of birth | Drogheda, Republic of Ireland | ||
| Height | 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) | ||
| Playing position | Defender (retired) | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1989-1990 1990-1991 |
Drogheda United Home Farm |
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| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 1991-2007 | Leeds United | ||
| National team | |||
| 1994-2002 | Republic of Ireland | ||
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Gary Kelly (born 9 July 1974) is a former professional football player from Ireland. He was a defender known for his long career at Leeds United. Gary also proudly played for the Republic of Ireland on the international stage. He spent his entire club career at Leeds United, becoming a true legend for the team.
Playing for Leeds United
Gary Kelly joined Leeds United in 1991 when he was just a teenager. He quickly became an important player for the club. He played as a defender, usually on the right side. Gary was known for his speed, strong tackles, and ability to help in attack.
He spent his entire professional club career, from 1991 to 2007, playing for Leeds United. This is very rare in modern football, showing his loyalty and dedication to the team. During his time at Leeds, the club had many successful years. They played in the top division, the Premier League.
Key Moments at Leeds
Gary was part of the Leeds team that finished in the top five of the Premier League for five seasons in a row. This was a very exciting time for the club. He also helped Leeds reach the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League in the 2000-2001 season. This is a huge achievement for any club.
He played over 500 games for Leeds United. This makes him one of the players with the most appearances for the club. He retired from playing football in 2007, after 16 years with Leeds.
Representing Ireland
Gary Kelly also had a successful career playing for his country, the Republic of Ireland. He made his debut for the national team in 1994. He played as a right-back, just like he did for Leeds.
World Cup Appearances
Gary was chosen to be part of the Ireland squad for two FIFA World Cup tournaments. He was in the squad for the 1994 World Cup, which was held in the United States. He also played for Ireland in the 2002 World Cup, held in South Korea and Japan. Playing in a World Cup is a dream for many footballers.
He earned 52 caps for the Republic of Ireland. A "cap" means each time a player plays for their national team. He scored two goals for his country during his international career. He retired from international football in 2002 after the World Cup.
