Jimmy Kelly (footballer, born 1954) explained

Jimmy Kelly
Fullname:James Kelly
Birth Date:6 February 1954
Birth Place:Aldergrove, County Antrim, Northern Ireland
Position:Left wing
Youthclubs1:Crumlin United
Clubs1:Glentoran
Years2:196x–1971
Clubs2:Cliftonville
Years3:1971–1978
Clubs3:Wolverhampton Wanderers
Caps3:22
Goals3:0
Years4:1975
Clubs4:Wrexham (loan)
Caps4:4
Goals4:0
Years5:1975–1977
Clubs5:Portland Timbers
Caps5:49
Goals5:3
Years6:1978–1980
Clubs6:Walsall
Caps6:26
Goals6:3
Years7:1980–1981
Clubs7:Kidderminster Harriers
Years8:1981
Clubs8:Portland Timbers
Caps8:10
Goals8:0
Years9:1981–1982
Clubs9:Portland Timbers (indoors)
Caps9:15
Goals9:0

Jimmy Kelly (born 6 February 1954) is a Northern Irish former professional footballer who played in the Football League and in the North American Soccer League during the 1970s and early 1980s.

Career

After beginning his career in his native Northern Ireland with Glentoran and Cliftonville, he moved to English First Division side Wolverhampton Wanderers in December 1971. Kelly had to wait until 5 February 1974 to make his club debut, in a 0–1 defeat at Sheffield United, and was not selected again for two further years.

He gained playing time by joining NASL side Portland Timbers in 1975, and also managed a run of nine of Wolves' final ten fixtures of the 1975–76 season as they unsuccessfully battled relegation. After only a handful of further appearances for Wolves during the following two seasons he signed for nearby Walsall in 1978.

In 1981, he returned to North America to again play for the Portland Timbers.

References