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Eddie Kelly

b. 1951

Scottish footballer (born 1951)

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About Eddie Kelly

Born 1951. Eddie Kelly is a British association football player and entrepreneur.

Edward Patrick Kelly (born 7 February 1951) is a Scottish former footballer, who played as a midfielder. Kelly featured for clubs Arsenal, Queens Park Rangers, Leicester City, Notts County, AFC Bournemouth, Kettering Town and Torquay United.

Better was to come the next season for the young central midfielder. Kelly made 34 appearances as Arsenal won the Double; he came on as a substitute in the FA Cup final against Liverpool, and scored the Gunners' equaliser in extra time in a goalmouth scramble. George Graham made a claim for the goal, but the replays show Kelly was the last Arsenal player to touch the ball. Kelly was thus the first substitute to score in an FA Cup final. Charlie George scored soon after to win the match 2–1.

Injury hampered Kelly's next two seasons at Arsenal, but he became a near-ever present in 1974–75. He was made club captain at the age of 23; only Tony Adams has captained Arsenal at a younger age. However, Kelly lost his place the following season and became quite unsettled. After making a transfer request, he joined Queens Park Rangers in September 1976, having played 222 times and scoring nine goals altogether for Arsenal.

Kelly spent only a single season at QPR before being signed for Leicester City by former Arsenal and QPR teammate Frank McLintock in the summer of 1977. He spent three seasons at Filbert Street, playing 119 times and scoring 3 goals. Leicester were relegated to the Second Division in 1978 but then returned to the top flight as champions the following year. He went on to have short spells at Notts County, AFC Bournemouth and Torquay United, before retiring.

International career Kelly featured for Scotland's Under 19 and Under 23 teams.

Honours Arsenal Football League First Division: 1970–71 FA Cup: 1970–71 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup: 1969–70

Leicester City Football League Second Division: 1980–81

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Important facts

People in Eddie Kelly's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Eddie Kelly's

Frequently asked questions

Who is Eddie Kelly?

Scottish footballer (born 1951)

When was Eddie Kelly born?

Eddie Kelly was born on 7 February 1951 in Glasgow.

What is Eddie Kelly's occupation?

Eddie Kelly is an association football player and entrepreneur.

What nationality is Eddie Kelly?

Eddie Kelly is British.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Eddie Kelly

· Wikidata: Q724716

· DBpedia: Eddie Kelly (footballer)

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Eddie Kelly. https://biography.guide/eddie-kelly-association-football-player/

MLA: "Eddie Kelly." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/eddie-kelly-association-football-player/.

Chicago: "Eddie Kelly." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/eddie-kelly-association-football-player/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-21 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

Portrait: Wikimedia Commons · author & licence

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