Eddie Kelly


Eddie Kelly was one of the best minor soccer players to have played the game in St. Lawrence. Everyone expected him to develop into one of the better Senior Laurentians to lace on a pair of boots. He certainly didn't disappoint as Eddie had a very successful career as a Senior player and still continues today as one of the better Masters players.


He started playing Senior Soccer in 1979 and played on his first Championship team in 1982. In that year his fellow Laurentians won the Burin Peninsula and All-Nfld titles. He was also a member of the Premier's Cup team and a member of the Challenge team who earned the right to represent the province in National Challenge Cup competition. From that season on Eddie played with quite a number of Championship teams in the 1980's, 1990's and even on into the 21st century.


His skill level was certainly above the average soccer player in Newfoundland and his accelerated speed was very deceptive to many opponents. Combine with those two qualities was a shot that made many goalies in Challenge Cup cringe whenever he got in the clear for a scoring opportunity. He was the type of forward that other Laurentians always wanted to play with because of his precise passing ability. If assists were recorded in the game of soccer, Eddie would certainly be among the top point getters in the history of the game in St. Lawrence. Eddie scored many important goals in his career, some that clinched a number of titles for his fellow Laurentians.


He can boast of many individual awards in his playing career including Most Gentlemanly and Effective, Most Improved, Most Valuable and Top Scorer. He was always gracious in receiving those awards by passing on the credit to his teammates. One accomplishment he is very proud of is the fact that he was a member of the 1981 Canada Games team.


The major highlight of Eddie's career was the very first Mega Intermediate All-Newfoundland Championship tournament because he had the opportunity of playing with his son, Robert, and winning the provincial title.


Eddie showed a lot of leadership in his playing days and that attribute was put to good use when he retired as a Senior player by becoming President of the St. Lawrence Soccer Association. Even when he wasn't on the Executive, he was always forever present to help out his beloved Laurentians in any way possible.


The St. Lawrence Soccer Hall of Fame is very proud to welcome Eddie Kelly as it's newest member and no doubt he is very proud to be joining his father, Robert (Bob) Kelly, and his wife, Myra (Dick) Kelly into the Hall.