Career
He was capped 47 times for the Republic of Ireland, and was the father of Gary Kelly and Alan Kelly, Junior., who also became professional football goalkeepers. Kelly started his career at Bray Wanderers. In 1960 he moved to Preston North End.
In total, he made a club record 513 appearances over a 14-year period – including the 1964 FA Cup Final defeat by West Ham United.
In league competition, he played 447 times for Preston, keeping 126 clean sheets, which is a club record. A shoulder injury ended his career in 1973 – his final game being against Bristol City on 15 September 1973.
Following his retirement, Kelly joined North End"s coaching staff and was promoted to assistant manager under Nobby Stiles in 1977. In 1980, he briefly managed the Republic of Ireland side, presiding over one match against Switzerland.
In 1983, he was appointed manager of Preston North End.
Following a bad run of results over the Christmas period he resigned in February 1985. The younger Kelly later also played in goal for the Republic of Ireland, winning 34 caps. He was never capped at senior level, but enjoyed a lengthy career playing for Newcastle United, Bury and Oldham Athletic.
Kelly was goalkeeping coach for Major League Soccer side District of Columbia United for over five years.
In 2001, the third part of Deepdale"s redevelopment was named the Alan Kelly Town End in honour of their former player and manager. Kelly spent the final years of his life in Maryland, United States, and died on 20 May 2009 after battling colon cancer for a number of years.