Leonard Thomas Kelly (1913-1981) was an Australian premiership winning rugby league player who played in the 1930s and 1940s with

St. George Saint George (Greek: Γεώργιος (Geórgios), Latin: Georgius, Arabic: القديس جرجس; died 23 April 303), also George of Lydda, was a Christian who is venerated as a saint in Christianity. According to tradition he was a soldier ...

. He was later a senior administrator with the club in their successive eleven year winning run from 1956 to 1966. St_George_DRLFC_Premiers_1941

Background

Kelly was born in Manildra, New South Wales on 17 June 1913.

Playing career

Kelly went on to become a legend at the

as a player, coach and administrator. Known as 'The Deacon', Kelly played his entire football career at

St George Saint George (Greek language, Greek: Γεώργιος (Geórgios), Latin language, Latin: Georgius, Arabic language, Arabic: القديس جرجس; died 23 April 303), also George of Lydda, was a Christians, Christian who is venerated as a sa ...

. He came to club via the junior club, Sutherland Grave-Diggers. Kelly played twelve seasons for St. George between 1933 and 1944, the highlight being his vice-captaincy in the 1941 Grand Final winning team. In

1942 Events Below, the events of World War II have the "WWII" prefix. January * January 1 – WWII: The Declaration by United Nations is signed by China, the United Kingdom, the United States, the Soviet Union, and 22 other nations, in wh ...

he became captain-coach. He played 208 grade games (all grades) with

, a record which stood till Norm Provan surpassed it late in his career. Kelly retired from the Sydney league in 1944 to captain-coach at Picton for three years.

Administrative career

Kelly returned to

as an administrator in 1950 and also became an Australian selector in 1956. He was President of the

Football Club and a director of St. George League's Club during the club's successful run of eleven straight premierships from 1956 to 1966. He retained those positions until 1977. He later became vice-president of the NSWRFL under President Bill Buckley. Upon Buckley's death in 1973, it was assumed that Kelly would run rugby league in New South Wales, but the position was ultimately given to a more youthful Kevin Humphreys. Kelly remained N.S.W. Rugby League vice-president until his retirement in the late 1970s.

Death

Len 'The Deacon' Kelly died suddenly at his

Arncliffe, New South Wales Arncliffe is a suburb in southern Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Arncliffe is located 11 kilometres south of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the Bayside Council. Arncliffe is south ...

home on 3 November 1981, age 68 after a long illness.The Canberra Times, 04/11/1981 "Len Kelly Dies" (page 42) ''Article''

References

Published sources

* Whiticker, Alan & Hudson, Glen (2006) ''The Encyclopedia of Rugby League Players'', Gavin Allen Publishing, Sydney * Haddan, Steve (2007) ''The Finals - 100 Years of National Rugby League Finals'', Steve Haddan Publishing, Brisbane 1913 births 1981 deaths Australian rugby league administrators Australian rugby league coaches Australian rugby league players Rugby league players from New South Wales Rugby league second-rows St. George Dragons coaches St. George Dragons players {{Australia-rugbyleague-bio-stub