Kelly reveals clear vision for Athletic

COMMENT: THE truth is often stranger than fiction, and Darren Kelly's unfulfilled singing career lies in the murky waters between.


In 1998 the promising young centre-back from Derry beat the challenge of thousands to land a place in the final auditions for new Irish boy band Westlife. But after discussion with the group's manager, Ronan Keating, he chose football and a life filled with high spots at Carlisle, York, Portadown and... Garforth Town. More mud in your face than knickers thrown at your feet.

"I was in the last 10, and it came down to a choice between professional football and singing,” Kelly said on arriving at Carlisle in 2002.

“I was going to be touring with the Northern Ireland under-21 team when the final auditions were on, so I pulled out. I picked football because my heart was in football."

But in a chat away from the television cameras that swooped into SportsDirect.com Park yesterday for his unveiling as the new manager, Kelly told me the tale was a bit “embellished”, to say the least.

“That’s a vicious rumour!” said the affable character. “There’s nothing in that. It was when I first signed for Carlisle. It was a made-up gimmick.”

If he really did miss out on a share of the band's £31million wealth, he certainly hides the pain well.

Some cynical fans also suspected a hoax when it emerged the 35 year old was to be handed the main job with Athletic. But to use a showbiz term, it is believed Kelly “nailed it” at his first interview at the club last week - so much so he was offered the job there and then.

At yesterday's press conference, in which his two-year deal was announced, his performance was relaxed and composed.

Unflustered by questions over his lack of experience presenting serious concerns to many supporters, Kelly projected himself as a man confident in his own ability to produce stylish football that will gain positive results and win over doubters.

Under-fire chairman and casting vote holder Simon Corney presented his decision as one of a calculated risk. No big-name appointment is guaranteed success, he argued. The last two first-timers, Paul Dickov and Lee Johnson, were relatively successful. Why not Kelly – a student of European football cultures and similarly unburdened by failures elsewhere?

Questions will linger whether he is the right man to take control and the only real answer will be provided on the pitch, next season.

Directors and supporter base aren't reading from the same song sheet quite yet. Kelly, flanked by three men he convinced in Neil Joy, Corney and Barry Owen, admitted he has work to do to convince the masses. But he is embracing the challenge.

“Having obtained the UEFA Pro Licence, which was a fantastic process, it whetted the appetite,” he said. “You look at the likes of Eddie Howe, Karl Robinson and Brendan Rodgers. Young, aspiring coaches want that bit of action.

“To be given that opportunity at such a fantastic club is something I will grab. And I will tell you this: There is nobody will work harder. I know what needs to be done and I have high standards. Everything will be done right. And it will be done in a very hard-working way.”

With Kelly at the helm, Athletic hope 2015-16 will finally be the club's season in the sun.



FANS quickly took to social media to voice their opinions of the the new manager.

On Twitter, these were typical comments:

RIVER Dance, Jedward and Darren Kelly. Ireland's finest imports #oafc #optimism #iambackinghim -

RICK STENTON

DARREN Kelly will get my backing, but I do think the board have gone cheap again. - PAUL TAYLOR

WHY should the fans bother turning up and having expectations when the only thing the chairman says "we will be fine"? - PAUL OAFC

LOOKING forward to the new era with this guy. -JAKE DUNFORD

PRETTY much done how the manager process works at Boundary Park! It's done, so let's back him. -DAVID HEWSON

OUT of all the names – Dowie, Warburton, Redfearn – we have Kelly. Well, let's see what he brings. -LUKE CLEMENTS


twitter: @Matt_Chambers_