AN OUT-and-out goalscorer who was alert and quick, he joined The Saddlers as a youngster in 1981 and turned professional in December 1983.

His game developed in leaps and bounds during his time at Fellows Park and he was top scorer in 1986/87 with 26 League and Cup goals, and again the following year when he notched 30 goals in all competitions, including a hat-trick in the crucial final play-off game against Bristol City which clinched promotion.

This kind of scoring form made bigger clubs sit up and take note and it was no surprise in August 1988 when West Ham United paid £600,000 for the Republic of Ireland International.

It was the most money that Walsall had ever received for a player but Kelly failed to make the expected impact at Upton Park and after 12 goals in 61 outings for The Hammers, he was sold to Leicester City in March 1990 for £300,000.

His next move took him to Newcastle United for £250,000 in December 1991 and his goals in the second half of that season helped the Geordies stave off the threat of relegation into Division Three.

He top scored with 28 goals as Newcastle won the first division title in 1992/93 but was somewhat surprisingly sold to Wolves for £750,000 in the summer of 1993.

After three seasons at Molineux he moved on to Sunderland for £900,000 in September 1995, but after just two goals in 40 games he moved on to Tranmere Rovers two years later.

He then served Sheffield United and Motherwell before ending his League career at Mansfield Town. He made over 500 League appearances and scored almost 200 goals in a successful playing career.

He then moved into coaching with the likes of Sheffield United and Preston North End and in the summer of 2007 he linked up once more with Billy Davies at Premier League outfit, Derby County, but his stay at Pride Park didn't last long.