Post by Taxigirl on Mar 1, 2006 10:56:19 GMT
www.leedsunited.com
The celebrations had barely started when Gary Kelly turned his team-mates focus back to the job of winning promotion this season.
In honour of the defender's 500th appearance for the club, the former Irish international's team-mates plus extended family and friends held a surprise party for the 31-year-old after the 2-1 win over Luton.
It was fitting for Kelly's big day that Leeds made it six wins in a row at Elland Road, whilst at Bramall Lane Sheffield United slumped to a 3-2 defeat to QPR, throwing the race for the second automatic promotion place wide open again.
Kelly is desperate to spent next season, possibly his last at the club, in the Premiership.
"Now that's (his 500th appearance) out the way we can concentrate on Palace," said Kelly.
"Sheffield United lost but at the moment we need Watford to lose first. We seem to get so close to the heels of Sheffield United but then we let ourselves down, along comes a performance like Leicester, so it's a kick in the teeth.
"You can't get more honest than these lads and if we get our rewards for what we've put in all year it will be great for the club.
"I was part of the team that took Leeds United down so I feel it is my responsibility to help them even more to get back up there.
"Promotion would be great for the city and the fans because it must hurt the fans when they have to listen to things like 'you're not famous any more' being sung at them because it definitely hurts me. Leeds United are a massive club.
"I can understand why the fans got frustrated with me, Eirik Bakke, Seth Johnson and Michael Duberry. We took the brunt of it with people booing and shouting 'are you still here?'
"There's a lot of clubs in the Championship that needs Premiership football and Leeds is definitely one of them.
"But what went on with the money problems and all that has made the club stronger. Kevin Blackwell did a great job last year and this season we have been up there knocking on the door more or less.
"With the points we have any other season we might be in that second spot already but We can't feel sorry for ourselves, we set off looking to get into the play-offs and if we do get there then we fancy ourselves home and away.
"We have an awful lot of games before then so we have to knuckle down and make sure we don't have any more Leicester's."
Kelly admitted it was an emotional moment for him to make his 500th appearance for the club, but it was never really his intention to celebrate it.
"I am glad it's out the way because to be honest I hate things like that.
"I want to just concentrate on promotion or getting in the play-offs and not Gary Kelly's 500th, I have no real interest in milestones. It's nice to achieve them but you have to concentrate on the job.
"I got a phone call off Eddie Gray saying "welcome to the club Gary", so I take it he's already in it, and I really appreciate all the messages I have got off well wishers, friends, friends and supporters."
LEGEND ;D
FIN
The celebrations had barely started when Gary Kelly turned his team-mates focus back to the job of winning promotion this season.
In honour of the defender's 500th appearance for the club, the former Irish international's team-mates plus extended family and friends held a surprise party for the 31-year-old after the 2-1 win over Luton.
It was fitting for Kelly's big day that Leeds made it six wins in a row at Elland Road, whilst at Bramall Lane Sheffield United slumped to a 3-2 defeat to QPR, throwing the race for the second automatic promotion place wide open again.
Kelly is desperate to spent next season, possibly his last at the club, in the Premiership.
"Now that's (his 500th appearance) out the way we can concentrate on Palace," said Kelly.
"Sheffield United lost but at the moment we need Watford to lose first. We seem to get so close to the heels of Sheffield United but then we let ourselves down, along comes a performance like Leicester, so it's a kick in the teeth.
"You can't get more honest than these lads and if we get our rewards for what we've put in all year it will be great for the club.
"I was part of the team that took Leeds United down so I feel it is my responsibility to help them even more to get back up there.
"Promotion would be great for the city and the fans because it must hurt the fans when they have to listen to things like 'you're not famous any more' being sung at them because it definitely hurts me. Leeds United are a massive club.
"I can understand why the fans got frustrated with me, Eirik Bakke, Seth Johnson and Michael Duberry. We took the brunt of it with people booing and shouting 'are you still here?'
"There's a lot of clubs in the Championship that needs Premiership football and Leeds is definitely one of them.
"But what went on with the money problems and all that has made the club stronger. Kevin Blackwell did a great job last year and this season we have been up there knocking on the door more or less.
"With the points we have any other season we might be in that second spot already but We can't feel sorry for ourselves, we set off looking to get into the play-offs and if we do get there then we fancy ourselves home and away.
"We have an awful lot of games before then so we have to knuckle down and make sure we don't have any more Leicester's."
Kelly admitted it was an emotional moment for him to make his 500th appearance for the club, but it was never really his intention to celebrate it.
"I am glad it's out the way because to be honest I hate things like that.
"I want to just concentrate on promotion or getting in the play-offs and not Gary Kelly's 500th, I have no real interest in milestones. It's nice to achieve them but you have to concentrate on the job.
"I got a phone call off Eddie Gray saying "welcome to the club Gary", so I take it he's already in it, and I really appreciate all the messages I have got off well wishers, friends, friends and supporters."
LEGEND ;D
FIN