Well travelled Scottish midfielder, Stuart Kelly, announced his retirement from football yesterday. Here's an interview I did with him in November, 2011, when he was playing for Khon Kaen in the TPL.
Q - Please can you tell us a bit about your background.
A - I was born in Glasgow, Scotland. I chose to sign with Glasgow Rangers and played there between the ages of ten and twenty. Rangers had the best squad and players in Britain back then so saying no to Blackburn Rovers, Manchester United and French club Strasbourg, who were all interested in me, was easy. At Rangers I won reserve and youth league cups and lots of international tournaments. I also played for Scotland U15s and all the way up to the U20s and played at the 1999 European Championships.
After failed moves to L.A Galaxy and St Mirren and with the financial ruin of football in Scotland in 2001, I moved to New Zealand. Between 2003 and 2011, I played for Canterbury United, Otago FC (coached by ex Chelsea and Ireland player Terry Phelan) and then Auckland City FC. The New Zealand league now suffers from lack of TV money but Auckland FC perform at the FIFA World Club Cup bringing money into the league.
I had a period in Melbourne, Australia in 2008 and 2009, playing for ex Rangers and Scotland player Stuart Munroe at Oakleigh Cannons and South Melbourne FC. However, a freak leg break at training sent me back to New Zealand.
Before I came to Thailand, Auckland qualified for the FIFA World Club Cup 2011 in Japan. I was meant to go back for it but the season had been extended so I missed out. I was gutted as I had played in all the games to win the Oceania Champions League.
In 2009 a move to the Israeli Premier League fell through as I was on my way there and I rejected terms at a Divsion 1 club which were offered to me as an alternative. In 2010 an Icelandic Premier league team asked me to sign but when I got there, the club fell to pieces and the contract disappeared so I’ve had a fair share of bad luck but I always keep going.
Q - Who has been the biggest influence on your career?
A - My family and my dad especially, who took me to and from all the training sessions over the years; Archie Knox who signed me at Rangers. Great guy! My coaches. Stuart Munroe, who helped me lots in Melbourne, Danny Halligan for taking me to New Zealand and Terry Phelan.The Auckland coaches because the philosiphy and the approcah to the playing style at Auckland was great. Nick Gorman for getting me to Thailand
Q - How did you come to sign for Khon Kaen?
A - I went home for a visit after the Iceland incident for a few weeks and was going round my contacts. I had arranged to go back to Auckland FC but my friend who plays for MK Dons asked if I fancied Thailand. His coach John Gorman (ex England National Team Coach) said his son (Nick Gorman) lived and worked in Khon Kaen. After 8 months of e mails, I signed the 2 year deal and came after the Oceania Champions League final.
Q - What did you know about Khon Kaen FC before you joined?
A - I followed their promotion from Divison 1. I knew they were a small club with family values and a very passionate fan base who are proud of their team.
Q - How did your friends and family react when you told them you were coming to play in Thailand?
A - I wanted a new challenge and here was a two year contract so I grabbed it. My family in Scotland are used to me being away, it’s seven years now, but my partner lives in New Zealand and it meant further time apart from her, which I am grateful for her understanding.
Q - What did you know about Thai football before you came to play in the TPL?
A - I had seen ACL games involving Thai and Australian teams.
Q - What have been your impressions of the TPL?
A - Thai football has great fans that are passionate and good TV and media coverage; all good ingredients for a good league. The Thai players are naturally blessed with good fitness and touch. However, I feel that the coaching can have more detail. Also improved youth coaching for 15-19 year old Thai players will give them better game understanding and prepare local players for overseas and national teams. A population of 65 million people with the natural talent of the Thais should produce more quality players.
Q - Which teams have impressed you the most and why?
A - The set ups of the Big Four, Muang Thong, Chonburi, Bangkok Glass and Buriram PEA are great but the fact all clubs have great fans bases impresses me more. Playing wise, I think everyone is beatable. Going back to the topic of coaching, apart from Buriram PEA, not many clubs have had a winning consistent playing style.
Q - Which players have impressed you the most and why?
A - The Muang Thong captain (ex Chonburi player Nattaporn Phanrit) is a good defensive midfielder and knows his role in the team.
Steve Robb at Thai Port. When he gets the opportunity to play, he shows the level that he has played at in the past.
Strange things seem to happen in Thailand with teams’ better players not always playing in games. Sometimes the football decisions make no sense.
Q - What has been the personal highlight of your season so far?
A - To be honest, my only full ninety minutes, which came against Muang Thong!
Q - And the low point?
A - Consistently not playing. I am not used to that at all.
Q - Can Khon Kaen avoid the drop this season?
A – It’s going to be tight but the last 6-8 games we have been more consistent and organized and have played well at home. We are obviously favourites being at the bottom for so long but until it is mathematically not possible, we will be positive and fight to survive!
Q - Who do you think will go down?
A - I think it can be any of five to seven teams at this stage. The next five, six weeks there are lots of games for all the clubs so anything can happen with a few bad or good results. After the next five games the league table will tell a clearer story of who is safe. It’s exciting for the fans because the top of the table is more or less decided.
Q - What are your opinions on Chonburi FC?
A - They are a very experienced team with a big support.
In our first meeting this season they exploited us very well and could have won by more than 6-1. We are more organised now so hopefully we can get the 3 points!
Q - Who are your best friends in football?
A - I have moved around so much that they are spread everywhere, so Facebook is great for me. There are guys I grew up with in Scotland and played with at Rangers plus all my New Zealand friends and, of course, my new Thai friends. I have football related friends in most parts of the world and that’s the great thing about travelling and playing. Not to mention free holiday accommodation!!
Q - What are your personal ambitions for the future?
A – To play every game like at my past clubs and be part of a successful team. I want to show the Thai League and Thai fans that I can play. If I don’t get the chance, then maybe a move back to Europe. I have agreed with Dr Kasom the Khon Kaen FC president, that I can go on loan or move club and I have agents speaking to clubs now. If nothing comes of it, I will honour my contract to April 2013 at Khon Kaen.
Q - Is there any country you'd particularly like to play in?
A - Japan in 2 weeks time at the FIFA World Club cup! Other than that, Africa then I will have played on all the continents. I like Thiailand for now but would like to play in the USA and Middle East or the Mediterranean countries in Europe towards the end of my career. Also I want to experience the cultures and meet new people in these parts of the world.
Q - Who's the most famous person you've ever swapped shirts with after a match?
A- I have played with Paul Gascoigne, van Bronkhurst, Laudrup and lots of other famous players like Cassius and Joe Cole so I have lots of jerseys.
Q - What are your hobbies away from football?
A - I am a UEFA qualified coach and have coached for big clubs and the Scottish FA. Three years ago I created my own coaching company so I am kept busy designing the website and marketing franchises around the world to football friends. Getting totally away from football, I enjoy a game of golf and generally switching off from the game. I enjoy travelling to new countries and learning about the cultures. This has developed into a hobby for me now.
Q - What is your favourite movie, book and band?
A – I have seen so many movies so I can’t possibly choose.
I enjoy football autobiographies, like George Best’s and Paul Gascoigne’s. Having played with Gazza the book was interesting and a true reflection on the great man!
As for bands, I’m sorry but there aren’t any Thai bands. I can’t understand the words yet! I’m into Oasis and Hip Hop and generally any good Dance music. I did see U2 and Bon Jovi in concert, they were great! I would like to see The Killers and Bruce Springsteen live.
Q - What do you miss most about Scotland?
A - I have 3 brothers and a sister who all have families so being the uncle the kids never see is not good. I miss seeing them grow up. Same with old friends. Apart from that I don’t miss much. A footballer has to travel and I enjoy hot weather and playing in new places while I can. Having been apart from my partner, who lives in New Zealand, for over a year is also hard on both of us.
Q - What has been the funniest thing that has happened to you during your time in Thailand?
A – There have been a few crazy football ones but you can’t print them here! Apart from that, when I arrived Nick Gorman told me to get to near BEC Tero’s home ground as I would meet the team in two days and get a hotel there. I got a taxi and had this 32kg suit case. As I wasn’t aware that the Bangkok streets are no good for suitcase wheels, I was struggling. To make things worse, there was a torrential downpour and I went into the nearest hotel, I think it was Sabay Sabay. There I got conned into the top presidential room, costing me a fortune!
Q - Is there anything else you'd like to add?
A - Thanks to everyone who has made me welcome in Thailand and to the Khon Kaen FC fans who despite my lack of playing time, have always been great to me in the stadium and around town. Also, thanks for the interview, Dale, and allowing me to give your readers an insight into my playing career.
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