I’ve loved the 15 years with my town team
HIGHLY-RESPECTED midfielder Mike Kelly has played 15 successive seasons for Holyhead Hotspur. Here is a Q and A session with the popular player, who has just returned from Gotland where he represented Ynys Mon in the Island Games. WHICH clubs have you played for? Holyhead Gwelfor, Holyhead Hotspur WHAT honours have you won in football?
Welsh Alliance title, Barritt Cup, Cookson Cup 2010/11 MOST memorable match?
When we beat Bangor City 2-1 and knocked them out of the Welsh Cup in 2015/16. A great night for all involved with the club and probably the best scalp in the club’s history. MOST memorable goal? Away to Guilsfield in the 2008/09 season. We were losing 1-0 at 90 mins and we scored two in stoppage time. I got the winner to snatch the three points. That sparked a mass pile-on from my teammates and I ended up with a nasty gash on the head from the celebrations (night in hospital on my 21st birthday) BEST player played alongside? Kenleigh Owen – Holyhead Hotspur HARDEST opponent? Joe Morgan – Llandudno BIGGEST strength as a player? Work rate and versatility WEAKNESSES? Age isn’t on my side anymore CAN you see a day when Holyhead Hotspur play in the Welsh Premier?
It will be difficult but I hope so, it would be fantastic for the town as well as Anglesey.
Hopefully I will be part of it when it does happen. HOW did you rate the 2016/17 season just gone?
A decent one for the first team, but the reserves did really well to win their league cup and then there was the success of the youngsters, too
Yes, the first team got off to a very slow start and we were hampered with a lot of injuries/ suspensions which didn’t help.
But we all stuck together and turned it around to finish strongly. I didn’t want the season to end. Andy Batsford and Co have done a brilliant job with the reserves.
The cup success was a fitting tribute to all the hard work the lads have put into the season.
The Hotspur youth system is one of the best developments in North Wales.
A great achievement by all the players and staff of the under-10s team, who were recently overall winners of the oversea tournament SV Nevelo in Holland.
Nathan Owen and Nick Dumbarton have assembled a quality side. WHICH teams will be vying for the Huws Gray Alliance title this season coming?
The league is getting stronger each year. I think it’s wide open as the top teams are assembling strong sides over the summer.
But I would say Airbus and Caernarfon will be the front runners. IS there anything you’d like to achieve in the game before you retire?
I would love another good Welsh Cup run and never say never getting Hotspur to the summit of the CA and promoted to WPL.
I’ve had the honour playing for my hometown club with my mates for 15 successive seasons, so I’m quite content with how it’s all gone so far. CAN Wales still qualify for the World Cup? YES! Win against Austria at home then its game on top IS Wayne Rooney finished at the level for club and country? NO! He’s a class act, still a lot to offer in WHAT was the last film you saw the cinema? STAR Wars: Rogue One DID you vote in the general election and would you divulge who you voted for? LABOUR WHAT do you think of Donald Trump? ANOTHER clown, like all politicians DO you watch much women’s of football? If so, what do you think it? IT’S really kicked on of late, especially on the local scene, and good to see everyone taking an interest in it. JAMES Corden - funny or flop? FUNNY to a THREE songs you would take desert island OASIS - Live Forever KASABIAN -LSF STONE Roses - I wanna be adored