John Kelly (2 March 1913 – 2000) was an English professional footballer who scored 32 goals from 109 appearances in the Football League playing for Burnley, Newcastle United, Leeds United, Birmingham and Bury. Career Kelly was born in Hetton-le-Hole, County Durham. He played for his local junior side before joining Burnley, initially as an amateur, in October 1930. He made his debut in the Football League for Burnley, and joined Newcastle United as part of a player exchange deal in April 1933. He rarely appeared for Newcastle's first team, and moved on to Leeds United in February 1935 for a fee of £1,150. He was first choice at centre forward in the 1935–36 season, scoring 15 goals in 34 games in the First Division, but lost out the following season to Arthur Hydes. After a season and a half playing in the Central League with only occasional appearances for the first team, Kelly joined Birmingham in January 1938. He went straight into the starting eleven, but lost his place after eight games without a goal, and made only four appearances in the 1938–39 season. In May 1939 he joined Bury, but after three games and one goal the Football League was abandoned for the duration of the Second World War. Kelly retired from the game during the war. He was a butcher by trade, and also worked part-time as a magician. He died in Hetton-le-Hole in 2000. Notes A. These appearances and goal are for the 1939–40 Football League season abandoned when the Second World War started. References 1913 births 2000 deaths People from Hetton-le-Hole Footballers from Tyne and Wear English footballers Association football forwards Burnley F.C. players Newcastle United F.C. players Leeds United F.C. players Birmingham City F.C. players Bury F.C. players English Football League players