Page "Gary Kelly (footballer born 1974)" Paragraph 7

Kelly was more or less a regular either at right back or right midfield in every subsequent season he played for Leeds, except for 1998-99, when shin splints ruined his season ( this injury would reoccur in subsequent seasons ).

But Kelly forced his way back into the Leeds first team, in 99 / 00, making the right back role his own, despite the signing of Danny Mills in the summer of 1999.

And once again he took over as skipper when Lucas Radebe was on international duty.

He was rewarded with a testimonial match in May 2002, played against Celtic.

The proceeds from this match were donated to several cancer charities chosen by Kelly ( mainly Teenage Cancer Charity in Leeds and Cancer Support Centre in Drogheda ), in dedication to his sister, Mandy, who died from the disease in 1998 aged only 35.

Seen by a crowd of 26, 440, Celtic won this match, which generated nearly £ 1million in receipts-making up the majority of the total £ 1. 5million which was raised open a cancer centre in his native Drogheda.