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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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