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Tuesday, 9th February 2010

Legendary PNE keeper dies

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Published Date:
20 May 2009
Preston North End legend Alan Kelly has died after losing his battle with cancer.
>> Tributes flood in for PNE legend

Kelly, 72, died in America at lunchtime on Wednesday.

He underwent emergency surgery for colon cancer in March 2008.

Kelly made 512 appearances for North End, a Deepdale record, and in 2001 the Alan Kelly Town End was named after one of Preston North End's greatest ever goalkeepers.

Kelly was forced to retire in September 1973 following a shoulder injury against Bristol City, but later went on to coach North End, first as assistant manager, and then as first-team boss.

He resigned in 1985 and moved to America shortly after to run a goalkeeping school in Washington.

He made 447 league appearances for PNE, but it was his remarkable consistency that made him one of Deepdale's best loved keepers.

In five successive seasons from 1966, he missed just five games out of a possible 214 league fixtures and was never dropped.

He is the Republic of Ireland's most capped goalkeeper after Paddy Bonner, winning 47 caps for his country.

He made his international debut at Wembley in 1957, England winning 5-1.

>> Alan Kelly 1936-2009

Read more about this story in Thursday's Lancashire Evening Post

Leave your tributes below

The Gentry

Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 20 May 2009 9:34 PM
  • Source: n/a
  • Location: Preston
 
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1

Doyley,

20/05/2009 17:06:36
A true PNE legend
R.I.P.
2

raefil,

chorley 20/05/2009 17:11:01
A true legend, one of my first heroes at Deepdale. Along with Alan Kelly I remember standing on the kop and watching in awe as a young child. You leave us with only very good memories. God Bless you Alan and yuor family.
3

Kilroy,

Preston 20/05/2009 17:11:57
Sad news. Alan Kelly was a legend when the term really meant something.
4

tintinpne,

20/05/2009 17:15:34
Very sad news, will be missed by everyone at PNE and in football. My thoughts are with his friends and family at this time. RIP
5

hang um HIGH,

preston 20/05/2009 17:18:54
R.I.P alan a true gent and a proper north end HERO.
6

John (Perry) Mason,

Carramar in Western Australia 20/05/2009 17:28:24
RIP Alan. A true gentleman on and off the pitch. Always had time to chat and sign autographs for us youngsters when we used to nick off school and go watch PNE train up at Willow Farm just over the hills and hollows. Alan easily slotted into what was Fred Else's role and went on to become a stalwart performer for North End.
7

FYA,

20/05/2009 17:42:01
RIP Alan - Legend
8

Alansh66,

20/05/2009 18:14:36
I started watching PNE in 1971 so Alan Kelly was the first PNE keeper I knew, he was a great player and loyal to the cause, I am sure he will be greatly missed by all who knew him. RIP Alan.
9

BaldyAl,

20/05/2009 18:22:59
Never saw him play, but did with his son. Condolances to all his family, may the Town End sing his name forever
10

Preston Pikey,

Preston 20/05/2009 18:30:25
RIP Alan Kelly a true great of the game and the greatest goalkeeper to wear the famous PNE shirt. My thoughts are with the Kelly family on hearing this terrible news.
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