Signed from Home Farm in the Irish Republic on 24th September 1991, Gary Kelly was our longest serving player. Had a new lease of life under
Terry Venables in 2002-03 when he frequently played right midfield. Many fans thought it was his best season for ages. Loyal and committed to Leeds United, in fact, at the end of the relegation 2003-2004 season he was the only full-time professional who was definitely NOT leaving Leeds. Eventually
Michael Duberry stayed too (sob!)
Despite little difference in ages, he is the uncle of former Leeds United left-back, and fellow Irish international,
Ian Harte who now plies his trade at Levante in La Liga.
At 26/2/2005 his stats were as follows: (subs)
League 351 (11) 2 goals; FA Cup 29 (1) 1 goal; League Cup 26 (2); Europe 35 (1)
Milestone: Jan 2006 - Gary Kelly scored a sensational goal from outside the penalty area in time-added-on during the FA Cup 3rd round replay against Wigan. The game went to extra time and ended 3-3. We lost on penalties thanks to misses by David Healy and Rob Hulse, but none of that takes away anything from a wonderful strike by Kelly - his 4th goal in 493 games!
Milestone: 25th Feb 2006 - Gary plays his 500th game in a White shirt, this time against Luton Town.
This page last updated: 21 August 2007
