Bobby Kellard
Encyclopedia
Robert Sydney William 'Bobby' Kellard (born March 1, 1943 in Edmonton
, London
) is an English
former professional footballer. He represented England
at Youth level.
and became Southend's youngest ever league player (at the age of 16 years and 208 days) in September 1959 when he started the game at Bradford City
. He turned professional in May 1960 and went on to score 15 times in 106 games for the Shrimpers before earning a £9,000 move to Crystal Palace
in September 1963. After 6 goals in 77 games he moved to Ipswich Town
, but played only 13 times before moving to Portsmouth
in March 1966
for a fee of £30,000 where he scored six times in 77 games before moving to Leicester City
in August 1970 for a fee of £50,000. He helped Leicester to promotion in 1971, but left in September 1971 to rejoin Crystal Palace
for a fee of £50,000, having scored eight goals in 49 games for the Foxes. He was signed by Palace as a replacement for Steve Kember
who they had sold to Chelsea
for £170,000, and he fitted in so well that by November he had been made captain. On 2 September 1972, Kellard's "horrendous" tackle on Newcastle United
's Tony Green
ended the Scot's career at the age of 25, 33 games and three goals into his Magpies career; he had suffered a cartilage
injury, and was never to play professionally again. Kellard lost the captaincy and immediately asked for a transfer, soon after which he was dropped from the team.
, having scored four times in 46 games for Palace. At Portsmouth he gained the unwanted honour of being the first player sent off on a Sunday when he was dismissed against Orient
in January 1974. The following January he joined Hereford United
on loan, and later in 1975 left to play in South Africa
for Durban City F.C., having scored six times in 62 games for Pompey. He moved to Cape Town City
, but returned to England
in September 1975, joining Torquay United
, but played only twice for Malcolm Musgrove
's side, the first being a 7-1 defeat away to Tranmere Rovers
and the last against Hartlepool
, before leaving league football to join Chelmsford City
.
.
He later spent several years running a taxi business in Southend, but in 1999 was trading as an antiques dealer. More recently he had a spell as joint-manager of Harlow Town
along with former Leicester City
player Len Glover
.
In July 2004, "This is Essex"http://www.thisisessex.co.uk/ reported that Kellard was living in Spain.
Edmonton
Edmonton is the capital of the Canadian province of Alberta and is the province's second-largest city. Edmonton is located on the North Saskatchewan River and is the centre of the Edmonton Capital Region, which is surrounded by the central region of the province.The city and its census...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
) is an English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
former professional footballer. He represented England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
at Youth level.
Early league career
Kellard, a much-travelled midfielder, began his career as a junior with Southend UnitedSouthend United F.C.
Southend United Football Club is an English football club based at Roots Hall Stadium, Prittlewell, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, who play in Football League Two. Their home ground is Roots Hall, and the club plan to move into a new 22,000-seater stadium located at Fossetts Farm.-Stadium:The club has had...
and became Southend's youngest ever league player (at the age of 16 years and 208 days) in September 1959 when he started the game at Bradford City
Bradford City A.F.C.
Bradford City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, playing in League Two....
. He turned professional in May 1960 and went on to score 15 times in 106 games for the Shrimpers before earning a £9,000 move to Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace F.C.
Crystal Palace Football Club are an English Football league club based in South Norwood, London. The team plays its home matches at Selhurst Park, where they have been based since 1924. The club currently competes in the second tier of English Football, The Championship.Crystal Palace was formed in...
in September 1963. After 6 goals in 77 games he moved to Ipswich Town
Ipswich Town F.C.
Ipswich Town Football Club are an English professional football team based in Ipswich, Suffolk. As of 2011, they play in the Football League Championship, having last appeared in the Premier League in 2001–02....
, but played only 13 times before moving to Portsmouth
Portsmouth F.C.
Portsmouth Football Club is an English football club based in the city of Portsmouth. The club is nicknamed Pompey. Portsmouth's home matches have been played at Fratton Park since the club's formation in 1898. The team currently play in the Football League Championship after being relegated from...
in March 1966
Mid career
In July 1966, after 91 games for Portsmouth in which he scored eight times, he moved to Bristol CityBristol City F.C.
Bristol City Football Club is one of two football league clubs in Bristol, England . They play at Ashton Gate, located in the south-west of the City...
for a fee of £30,000 where he scored six times in 77 games before moving to Leicester City
Leicester City F.C.
Leicester City Football Club , also known as The Foxes, is an English professional football club based at the King Power Stadium in Leicester...
in August 1970 for a fee of £50,000. He helped Leicester to promotion in 1971, but left in September 1971 to rejoin Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace F.C.
Crystal Palace Football Club are an English Football league club based in South Norwood, London. The team plays its home matches at Selhurst Park, where they have been based since 1924. The club currently competes in the second tier of English Football, The Championship.Crystal Palace was formed in...
for a fee of £50,000, having scored eight goals in 49 games for the Foxes. He was signed by Palace as a replacement for Steve Kember
Steve Kember
Stephen Dennis "Steve" Kember is a former footballer who played in the centre of midfield during his career, before going into management...
who they had sold to Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
for £170,000, and he fitted in so well that by November he had been made captain. On 2 September 1972, Kellard's "horrendous" tackle on Newcastle United
Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
's Tony Green
Tony Green (footballer)
Anthony "Tony" Green is a Scottish former professional footballer.-Club career:Glasgow-born Green began his career at Albion Rovers in his native Scotland.-Blackpool:...
ended the Scot's career at the age of 25, 33 games and three goals into his Magpies career; he had suffered a cartilage
Cartilage
Cartilage is a flexible connective tissue found in many areas in the bodies of humans and other animals, including the joints between bones, the rib cage, the ear, the nose, the elbow, the knee, the ankle, the bronchial tubes and the intervertebral discs...
injury, and was never to play professionally again. Kellard lost the captaincy and immediately asked for a transfer, soon after which he was dropped from the team.
Later career
In December 1972 he moved back to PortsmouthPortsmouth F.C.
Portsmouth Football Club is an English football club based in the city of Portsmouth. The club is nicknamed Pompey. Portsmouth's home matches have been played at Fratton Park since the club's formation in 1898. The team currently play in the Football League Championship after being relegated from...
, having scored four times in 46 games for Palace. At Portsmouth he gained the unwanted honour of being the first player sent off on a Sunday when he was dismissed against Orient
Leyton Orient F.C.
Leyton Orient F.C. are an English professional football club in East London. They currently play in Football League One and are known to their fans as the O's.Leyton Orient have spent one season in the top flight of English football, in 1962–63...
in January 1974. The following January he joined Hereford United
Hereford United F.C.
Hereford United Football Club is an English professional football club based in the city of Hereford. Founded in 1924, they are competing in Football League Two in the 2011–12 season. Hereford have played at Edgar Street for their entire history and are nicknamed 'The Whites' or 'The Lilywhites',...
on loan, and later in 1975 left to play in South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
for Durban City F.C., having scored six times in 62 games for Pompey. He moved to Cape Town City
Cape Town City F.C.
Cape Town City FC was a South African association football club based in Cape Town.Cape Town City won the NFL in 1973 and 1976, as well as the NFL Cup in 1970, 1971 and 1976....
, but returned to England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
in September 1975, joining Torquay United
Torquay United F.C.
Torquay United Football Club, nicknamed the Gulls, are an English association football club based in the tourist resort town of Torquay, Devon. They played in the Conference National in 2008–09, but were promoted to Football League Two after a 2–0 win over Cambridge United on 17 May 2009 at Wembley...
, but played only twice for Malcolm Musgrove
Malcolm Musgrove
Malcolm Musgrove was an English football player and manager.Musgrove played for his local side, Lynemouth Colliery, before being called up for national service, which he served in the Royal Air Force...
's side, the first being a 7-1 defeat away to Tranmere Rovers
Tranmere Rovers F.C.
Tranmere Rovers Football Club are an English team based in Birkenhead, Wirral. The club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system...
and the last against Hartlepool
Hartlepool United F.C.
Hartlepool United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Hartlepool that currently play in League One. The team won promotion to League One in the 2006–07 season...
, before leaving league football to join Chelmsford City
Chelmsford City F.C.
Chelmsford City F.C. is an English semi-professional football club based in the town of Chelmsford, Essex. The club are currently members of the Conference South and play at the Melbourne Stadium.-Chelmsford:...
.
After league career finished
In January 1976 he was appointed player-manager of Chelmsford City, a position he held until the May 1977. He later played for Grays AthleticGrays Athletic F.C.
Grays Athletic Football Club is an English football club currently based in Corringham, Essex after leaving the New Recreation Ground in Grays at the end of the 2009–10 season...
.
He later spent several years running a taxi business in Southend, but in 1999 was trading as an antiques dealer. More recently he had a spell as joint-manager of Harlow Town
Harlow Town F.C.
Harlow Town F.C. are an English football club based in Harlow, Essex. The club currently play in the Division One North of the Isthmian League, after relegation from the Isthmian League Premier Division in 2009....
along with former Leicester City
Leicester City F.C.
Leicester City Football Club , also known as The Foxes, is an English professional football club based at the King Power Stadium in Leicester...
player Len Glover
Len Glover
Leonard "Lenny" Glover was a flamboyant left winger who played, amongst others, for Leicester City. Considered one of the greatest players to don a Leicester City shirt and once described as the "best uncapped winger in the world", the acerbic and quick witted Cockney is often referred to in...
.
In July 2004, "This is Essex"http://www.thisisessex.co.uk/ reported that Kellard was living in Spain.