In March 1897, Blantyre’s James Kelly, the doyen of Scottish Professional Football players was elected a member of Blantyre School Board.
This was to be a slightly different pace for James and his appointment to the position occurred after a public vote at High Blantyre School. He came second in that poll. He was at that time not only the oldest player, but the most popular too.
James Kelly is pictured in the middle of this Blantyre Project photo wearing a dark suit and sporting a moustache. The photo was taken at Blantyre Bowling Club a few years later.
By 1897, the player career of James Kelly had spanned over a decade and a half and he had enjoyed the greatest of successes. He was a player with the famous Renton , at an early time when it could truly claim to be the champions of the footballing world! Many a time prior to 1897 he had represented his country at centre half back in International matches and always with credit.
Originally a dye worker, he migrate to Glasgow as a young man, before settling in Blantyre. Home was at Thornhill House, near the Dandy. Of course coming to Glasgow he joined the Celtic Football Club of which he was long their Captain. By 1897 as well as playing, he had a keen interest in other sports including bowling. Professionally, away from the pitch he was an astute businessman, a publican who owned the Black Bull Pub in Motherwell as well as Kelly’s Bar in Blantyre.
