Garry Kelly coming Home!

Just read this on elevenaside.com:

"Drogheda United manager Paul Doolin admits he would relish the chance to sign former Republic of Ireland international Gary Kelly at the end of the English League season.

Kelly is expected to sever his ties with the Elland Road club next summer after 17 seasons in Yorkshire.

The 32-year-old – second only to Jack Charlton in the club’s all-time appearance list – wants to return to Ireland when the Coca-Cola Championship season finishes in May.

And Doolin would love to bring Kelly on board at his hometown club. He told the Irish Sun: “I know it is Gary’s last year over there and that he has told people he is coming home. He may be 32 years old but he is certainly a fit fella. He was in the Championship Team of the Year last season. If he is coming home then of course we would be interested.”

Kelly has fostered strong links with the club in recent years after helping to establish the Gary Kelly Cancer Support Centre in the town following the sad death of his sister Mandy in 1998.

Among fund-raising ventures organised in recent times were a friendly between Drogs and Leeds in March 2005 and the recently-launched Drogheda United DVD, all proceeds of which go to the cancer support centre."

You're that excited you spelt his name wrong.

How good is Kelly these days ? Leeds are pish - Drogheda would probably beat them.

Is this a rerturn to the days of the EL being a benevolence home for retiring Irish professionals ?

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Originally Posted by dcfcsteve

Is this a rerturn to the days of the EL being a benevolence home for retiring Irish professionals ?

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He can hardly be called a 'retiring professional' at the age of 32. As regards how good he is, well he did make the championship team of the season last year, and after so long away, he probably just wants to come home.

I'm sure he would receive offers if he stayed in the UK.

Leeds are pretty dire this season but they made the play-off final last year and Kelly was in the team of the season with Doyle. Of the the whole team of the year only Doyle and Jason Koumas aren't in the premiership.

i dont think there is one Drog fan who wouldnt welcome Gary back with open arms.Think of his experience in the champions laegue in Leeds hay day.Would be a great asset for the UEFA Cup next season!

I reckon it could only be good for the league if it starts attracting more experienced quality professionals in the 30-34 age bracket. At this stage they're unlikely to be past it and if the league can hold on to young talent it will only do good to have players with experience like Gary Kelly to help them along.

why when I saw the title of this thread did the lyrics 'you don't win fans with hasbeens' set to the tune of Homer Simpson's 'you don't win friends with salad' run through my head?

It think it's a bit unfair to characterize Kelly as a has been, Jebus. He's still a decent player and would certainly be a decent signing for Drogheda, IMO.

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Originally Posted by John83

It think it's a bit unfair to characterize Kelly as a has been, Jebus. He's still a decent player and would certainly be a decent signing for Drogheda, IMO.

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Ah Gary has been a hasbeen (geddit?) since about 1996 in my eyes, any defender that peaks in their abilities before he reaches 22 is a bit of a waste of space if you ask me. Couldn't care less if he got into the Championship team of the season last year, he was supposed to become one fo the top right backs in England when he broke into the Leeds team initially, but since that day when he had Ryan Giggs in his pocket back around 1994 (I think) his career has gone downhill. Since that was 10 years ago I'm gonna stick by my hasbeen comment.

Just dirtied myself by going on to the Unofficial Leeds United fansite and apparantly this 'loyal' servant of the club was picking up his 28k a week until the start of this season, and has only now reduced it to a miserly 18k a week. I can't see him going from that to Eircom Laegue wages to be honest, especially as Celtic apparantly have expressed an interest in signing him

Anyone who says Kelly couldn't play for a top team in our league clearly doesn't watch Championship football. Championship players are bigger, fitter, stronger, and generally better than eL players. By some stretch.

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Originally Posted by Jaime

Anyone who says Kelly couldn't play for a top team in our league clearly doesn't watch Championship football. Championship players are bigger, fitter, stronger, and generally better than eL players. By some stretch.

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I disagree that they're generally better players.

Unquestionably stronger as a group though. Absolutely no doubt about that. We're light years behind in this area of player development.

9 of last seasons Championship team of the season are now in the premiership and Kelly would still be capable of playing in the top flight. To suggest that at 32 he would be past it an not capable of producing for an EL club is preposterous nonsense.

I personally would love to see Gary Kelly playing in LOI .Great mone by Doolin if he signs him.

Two words: Alan Moore.

Another two words: Gareth Farrelly.

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Originally Posted by OneRedArmy

Two words: Alan Moore.

Another two words: Gareth Farrelly.

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Four words; what is your point?

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Originally Posted by OneRedArmy

Two words: Alan Moore.
Another two words: Gareth Farrelly.

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Hmm I recall both of them gracing the Champions league and playing in 2 world cups 8 years apart..... Oh no they were both journeymen who were only bit part players in their very short premiership careers and spent most of their careers in and out of average teams in the Championship (or equivalent) and below.:confused:

Two words - Joey Ndo
Another two words - David Kelly (I think - Derry fans' views welcome!)

It'd be a gamble, but I think Kelly is still at more than a good enough level to be one of the best players in the eL. And it makes a change from signing Efan Ekoku and the likes!

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Originally Posted by Jaime

Four words; what is your point?

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Championship/Premiership players who came back home with a fanfare and disappeared with a whimper.

It must Be True! It made the Championship headline for EuroSports WebSite... Oh the JOY!

http://www.eurosport.com/football/ch...hip/2006-2007/