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Jim Kelly |
see also: Jim Kelly (opposition manager) → |
Jim Kelly was born on Monday, 16th April, 1956, and is most likely to be Scottish. * The 5' 9 (10st 7lbs) forward signed for Bertie Auld's Thistle on Wednesday, 3rd July, 1974, having most recently been with Drumchapel Amateurs. Aged 19, he made his debut appearance on Monday, 28th July, 1975, in a 4-0 friendly win away to Nairn County. Jim scored his first goal for Thistle on Saturday, 24th April, 1976, in a 2-2 friendly draw at home to Kilmarnock. He scored his second and final goal for the club on Tuesday, 5th April, 1977, in a 3-0 win away to Petershill in a Benefit match. He played his last game for Thistle on Saturday, 1st October, 1977, in a 2-1 defeat away to St Mirren in the SFL Premier Division, having appeared as a Jag on 16 occasions. Jim's club-list included Drumchapel Amateurs, Partick Thistle and Ross County.
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The footballing talent of young Jim was recognized by the selectors of Scottish Schoolboys, for he played for the country at every level of that grade, turning out once for Scotland Boys v England Boys at Firhill. While he was at Drumchapel Amateurs, Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, Rangers and Celtic were all showing an interest, but he chose to sign for Partick Thistle as Bertie Auld, the new manager, was his uncle! The 19-year-old got his first taste of first-team action in 1975-76 turning out in a few friendlies as well as making his competitive debut in a disappointing 2-0 defeat at East Fife, a result which meant Thistle exited the last 8 of the Spring Cup, the first leg lead having been turned over. 1976-77 was the make-or-break season for Jim and he featured in 9 competitive games, including back-to-back League games against the Old Firm in March, a 1-2 defeat to Celtic at Parkhead being followed by a classic 4-3 Firhill win versus Rangers. He reportedly had a hard-shot on him, but sadly there were no rip-roaring goals in competitive first team action for Jim. He only featured once in competitive action the following season and, unfortunately, he fell out with his Uncle Bertie and the end was nigh at Firhill. Jim moved Northwards and Billy McNeil, manager of Aberdeen, invited Jim to train with them in view of signing a contract. Jim reneged and said he had lost interest in football, but he did sign for Ross County of the Highland League in July 1978, so either had a change of heart or fancied he might find more enjoyment at that level. He was re-instated as an amateur in October 1979. He would later join the Police and played for the Scottish police team. In later years he became heavily involved in coaching and was the head of Ross County's youth academy and later worked with Hamilton Academical. |
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