Kevin Keelan - Page 3 - RedPassion.co.uk

Kiddy Dragon · 29th October 2018, 21.14:22

Great keeper of which we've had a few, came to Wrexham from Kiddy not long after another of my favourite keepers Rolando Ugolini left the town.

Red Light · 29th October 2018, 21.24:54

Keelan was born in British India where his father was serving in the Army.

After beginning his career with Kidderminster Harriers, he had spells with Aston Villa, Stockport County, Kidderminster Harriers again and Wrexham before signing for Norwich City in the summer of 1963. Between then and 1980 he would make 673 first-team appearances for City, a club record.

He was twice City Player of the Year and played for the City side which lost the 1973 League Cup Final to Tottenham Hotspur.

In both 1978 and 1979, Norwich City sent Keelan on loan to the New England Tea Men of the North American Soccer League for the summer season. He was named in the 1978 NASL All-Star Team.[1]

Coaching career[edit]

While playing for the Tampa Bay Rowdies in 1981, Keelan also served as an assistant manager, a position he retained in 1982. In July 1982, he also served as the interim manager when Gordon Jago resigned.[2] In June 1991, the University of Tampa hired Keelan as the goalkeeper coach for the men's soccer team.[3] In February 1997, he replaced Peter Mellor as the goalkeeper coach for the Tampa Bay Mutiny of Major League Soccer.[4]

In an interview for the Norwich City matchday programme on 30 April 2006, Keelan confirmed that he runs goalkeeping schools in Cape Coral and Tampa Florida and coaches "pretty much every night". He also stated that for 20 years he has worked for a company that manufactures contact lenses and distributes them all over the world, but plans to retire at the end of 2006 to concentrate on his coaching. He is also a staff coach with the Florida Soccer Club

Mr Wonderful · 29th October 2018, 21.27:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inside Left

Keelan known as 'The Cat' probably the best keeper to wear the green of Wrexham.
I believe he was spotted by Norwich when we played them in the cup.

I thought they called him that because he shat in the corner . . . ..

WasanActonlad · 29th October 2018, 21.43:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red Light

Thanks - yes that's him - see that he never played for Wrexham but there is some video cover of a game he played in at Wrexham between Wales & Ireland in 1906 but the coverage seems to concentrate on the Welsh attacking the Irish goal.

Found this explanation about him though. There was also a book about him released which I seem to recall had a thread of it's own sometime ago.

https://youtu.be/6AKXqVMJO-o

Excellent piece......though don't think Gallypolly is correct pronounceation

Cenotaff · 29th October 2018, 22.05:32

Long before my time. Marriot and Ben Foster are the best I've seen in my Wrexham FC life.

Funny_Old_Game · 29th October 2018, 22.39:16

Marriott was the best I’ve seen in the past 30 years or so. It was good business by Flynn, a hell of a lot of money to shell out for him but it was an investment. We got years out of him and sold for a profit. I’m sure he cost us £200k, unthinkable now really.

Jebudo · 30th October 2018, 06.55:51

I know he only played more or less half a season for us but Mike Hooper never seems to get a mention when talking about good keepers for us, I always thought he was one of the best I've seen here.

BillEBadass · 30th October 2018, 08.06:40

This thread highlights how many excellent keepers we have been fortunate to have on our books.
Who is the best? I could make out a case for easily a half dozen mentioned but as a teenager watching Kevin Keelan I was wide open to 'hero worship' and he fitted the bill and more.
A true Wrexham Great, he was also in the team that beat Hartlepools 10:1 although I don't recall him doing much except trying to keep warm.

jackwilliams · 30th October 2018, 08.26:12

I think Kev Keelan was in goal when Arfon made his comeback as well. Great crowd that day. It was a real occasion for a young lad stood on the Kop in the corner where the steps were bigger! Keelan was very athletic and had a great career in football. We have had some wonderful keepers. Dai Davies, Dave Gaskell, Dibble was also very commanding. Ben Foster has to be up there as well. What a career he has had.

29th October 2018, 21.14:22	#19-0 (permalink)
Kiddy Dragon Cult Hero (info) Joined: Jul 2010 Racecourse Spot: Started in MR then The Boys pen and a graduate of The Kop Real Name: Twitter: @	Re: Kevin Keelan Great keeper of which we've had a few, came to Wrexham from Kiddy not long after another of my favourite keepers Rolando Ugolini left the town.

29th October 2018, 21.24:54	#20-0 (permalink)
Red Light Due a Testimonial Joined: Aug 2014 Racecourse Spot: none given Real Name: none given Twitter: @	Re: Kevin Keelan Keelan was born in British India where his father was serving in the Army. After beginning his career with Kidderminster Harriers, he had spells with Aston Villa, Stockport County, Kidderminster Harriers again and Wrexham before signing for Norwich City in the summer of 1963. Between then and 1980 he would make 673 first-team appearances for City, a club record. He was twice City Player of the Year and played for the City side which lost the 1973 League Cup Final to Tottenham Hotspur. In both 1978 and 1979, Norwich City sent Keelan on loan to the New England Tea Men of the North American Soccer League for the summer season. He was named in the 1978 NASL All-Star Team.[1] Coaching career[edit] While playing for the Tampa Bay Rowdies in 1981, Keelan also served as an assistant manager, a position he retained in 1982. In July 1982, he also served as the interim manager when Gordon Jago resigned.[2] In June 1991, the University of Tampa hired Keelan as the goalkeeper coach for the men's soccer team.[3] In February 1997, he replaced Peter Mellor as the goalkeeper coach for the Tampa Bay Mutiny of Major League Soccer.[4] In an interview for the Norwich City matchday programme on 30 April 2006, Keelan confirmed that he runs goalkeeping schools in Cape Coral and Tampa Florida and coaches "pretty much every night". He also stated that for 20 years he has worked for a company that manufactures contact lenses and distributes them all over the world, but plans to retire at the end of 2006 to concentrate on his coaching. He is also a staff coach with the Florida Soccer Club

29th October 2018, 22.05:32	#23-0 (permalink)
Cenotaff Part Time ITV4 Pundit Joined: Oct 2004 Racecourse Spot: Real Name: Twitter: @	Re: Kevin Keelan Long before my time. Marriot and Ben Foster are the best I've seen in my Wrexham FC life.

29th October 2018, 22.39:16	#24-0 (permalink)
Funny_Old_Game Name A Stand After Me (info 1 & 2) Joined: Nov 2008 Racecourse Spot: Real Name: Twitter: @	Re: Kevin Keelan Marriott was the best I’ve seen in the past 30 years or so. It was good business by Flynn, a hell of a lot of money to shell out for him but it was an investment. We got years out of him and sold for a profit. I’m sure he cost us £200k, unthinkable now really.

30th October 2018, 06.55:51	#25-0 (permalink)
Jebudo First Teamer (info) Joined: Jul 2012 Racecourse Spot: MRS Real Name: none given Twitter: @	Re: Kevin Keelan I know he only played more or less half a season for us but Mike Hooper never seems to get a mention when talking about good keepers for us, I always thought he was one of the best I've seen here.

30th October 2018, 08.06:40	#26-0 (permalink)
BillEBadass Due a Testimonial Joined: Mar 2011 Racecourse Spot: Yale Stand Real Name: Bill E. Badass Twitter: @	Re: Kevin Keelan This thread highlights how many excellent keepers we have been fortunate to have on our books. Who is the best? I could make out a case for easily a half dozen mentioned but as a teenager watching Kevin Keelan I was wide open to 'hero worship' and he fitted the bill and more. A true Wrexham Great, he was also in the team that beat Hartlepools 10:1 although I don't recall him doing much except trying to keep warm.

30th October 2018, 08.26:12	#27-0 (permalink)
jackwilliams Squad Player Joined: Jul 2012 Racecourse Spot: anywhere Real Name: Brian Williams Twitter: @	Re: Kevin Keelan I think Kev Keelan was in goal when Arfon made his comeback as well. Great crowd that day. It was a real occasion for a young lad stood on the Kop in the corner where the steps were bigger! Keelan was very athletic and had a great career in football. We have had some wonderful keepers. Dai Davies, Dave Gaskell, Dibble was also very commanding. Ben Foster has to be up there as well. What a career he has had.