The former Dewsbury, Widnes Vikings and Welsh National Coach took over the reins on Tuesday, just 24 hours after the Centurions Cooperative National One game at Whitehaven.
Vastly experienced as a player with Dewsbury, Featherstone and Wakefield he has enjoyed considerable success as a Coach, first taking over at Dewsbury in 1999, missing out on Grand Final success in 1999, but then steering his Rams side to success against Leigh the following season.
He then joined Widnes after that 2000 National One Grand Final success and took them to Super League for the 2002 season. He was named the Super League Coach of the Year and guided Wales National side at the same time. But as Widnes fortunes faded and increasing debt made it harder and harder to pull a squad together, Kelly and the Vikings parted company in 2005, after which he took a job with Ulster Rugby Union as a defence coach, and was instrumental in them winning the 2007 Mangners League with the best defensive record in the competition.
But after three years he was more than ready for a return to his true love, Rugby League and there is little doubt that he is delighted with the appointment.
" I am absolutely delighted to be back in eth game and with such a fantastic club as Leigh. " said Neil, " It is a real hot bed of the game and has a most incredible set of fans that always give them their full support.
"I've enjoyed my time in Rugby Union, and have learned some different coaching and playing systems, but I always considered myself a Rugby League coach first, and it is fantastic to be back."
Surprisingly, Neil says he has always had a premonition that he and Leigh would be together one day.
" I know it sounds daft. " he admits, "But I always had a feeling that one day I'd coach Leigh. From an opposition point of view I've actually coached other clubs against Leigh in significant games that they have unfortunately lost, but you could never fault the way the club dealt with that. Looking back on the 2000 Grand Final when I was with Dewsbury, for example, I thought that Leigh were the better side. If you can admire a club from afar, then that is what I've done, and when the job became available I knew I had to put my application in."
Kelly was one of 15 applicants, and the club took its time in sifting through the applications to ensure they got the right man for them. Former Salford City Reds Coach, Karl Harrison, Wigan legend Andy Gregory and Australian All time great, Artie Beetson were those that owned up to applying, to show the high calibre of candidates, and just how attractive the position at Leigh was for them and others.
" We had some terrifically well qualified applicants." Stated Leigh Chief Executive, Alan Rowley, "And we felt it was only polite and correct that we should give their applications all the due attention that they had spent in putting them into us. We didn't rush it, but once we had made our decision, we wanted to thank all the unsuccessful candidates and let them know personally rather than letting them hear it in the press.
" We feel we have the right man. He has a proven track record, has done tremendously well with two clubs in similar positions to ourselves and he is a well-respected and highly motivated operator. We are delighted to have him on board."
Kelly's contract is for this season and two more years thereafter, and Paul Rowley will be his assistant, with a new contract of his own that runs concurrently with that of Kelly who is looking forward to the new partnership.
" Paul has done a terrific job since stepping into the caretaker head coach role, and has a wealth of rugby league knowledge." Added Neil, " He was a terrific player and has plenty of good coaching ideas too. I am really looking forward to working with him."
Kelly takes over a t a crucial time for the club, with the Super League application now with the RFL and a new stadium almost ready for occupation and a 2009 season start.
" It's a very important time for the club." Agreed Kelly, " I think we can build on some very solid foundations already there and build the club up. Whether it's for next season or in three years time, I've got to build the club from top to bottom with the help of the people that have already done some good work."
Kelly travelled to Whitehaven last Monday from his home in Belfast to take a 'watching brief' on the team.
" I wanted to get an idea of how they play, see who are the leaders and what seems to work well, and what doesn't." He said. " There was some good stuff out there and plenty to build on. The result was disappointing of course , and we need to smarten up and stop shooting ourselves in the foot and giving the opposition a foot hold in the game. But it was encouraging for the most part. There is a good squad here and some good players. I am optimistic we can turn it round."
Kelly's first game in charge will be the home clash with Featherstone Rovers on May 18.





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