Celtic confirm sad news that former Celtic Chairman Kevin Kelly has passed away

Celtic today confirmed the sad news that former Celtic Chairman Kevin Kelly passed away peacefully yesterday.

The club released a short message on the official website with sincere condolences being offered to Kevin’s family for their loss.  The Celtic FC Website post stated:

‘Celtic Football Club can confirm that former Chairman, Kevin Kelly passed away peacefully yesterday morning after a short illness.  Kevin was Celtic Chairman from 1991-1994, and a director and passionate supporter of the club over many years. Our sincere condolences, thoughts and prayers are with Kevin’s family at this very difficult time.’

Celtic’s Biscuit Tin Board 

Kevin Kelly was Celtic chairman at the time of the Cambuslang stadium move plans, and was head of the last “Biscuit Tin” board which was ousted in the Celtic Takeover led by Fergus McCann. Watch this video on the Cambuslang fiasco to get a better understanding of just how difficult a time this was for Celtic, and also for Kevin Kelly.

Kevin was descendant from early Celtic legend James Kelly who was one of the most pivotal players in the club’s unbroken history.

Faithful through and through 

The Celtic Wiki reckon that as an estimate, it is more than likely that Kevin Kelly in his life has been to more Celtic games than any other person in the club’s history. Admittedly, in his circumstances he has not had to pay for the bulk of those appearances for a ticket, but still he was there through thick and thin. Despite any criticisms, his love for the club cannot be questioned.

Kevin Kelly replaced his Uncle, Robert Kelly, on the Celtic Board, and there’s some insight into this in the press cutting below.

Cambuslang project was ill-advised

His dream move to Cambuslang was ill-advised but never ill-intentioned. He served Celtic at a time when change was urgently needed as the modern game – with the ned for seated stadiums – was something Celtic would always have struggled to accommodate with the old fashioned ways still prevalent at the football club ahead of Fergus McCann ushering in the Winds of Change.

Kevin Kelly as a Celtic supporter would have loved what was to follow just as much as the rest of us.

Requiescat in pace, Kevin.

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