Cliff Kelly
Personal information
Full nameClifford Cyril Kelly
Born1917
Kurri Kurri, New South Wales
Died23 July 1942 (aged 25)
Tempe, New South Wales
Playing information
PositionSecond-row, Prop
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1940–41 St. George 7 2 0 0 6
Source: [1]

Cliff Kelly (1917 – 23 July 1942) was an Australian rugby league footballer who played in the 1940s.

Career

Kelly came to St. George in 1940 from Kurri Kurri, New South Wales. He was a second-row forward who suffered recurring knee injuries that stifled his short career.[2]

Accidental death

In 1942, he was again playing good football in the reserve grade before an accident on a train killed him on 27 July 1942.[3] The train was heading for Tempe railway station when he leaned out of the train and was immediately struck in the head by a passing train. He died at Tempe station while waiting for an ambulance.[4]

The Annual St. George Club Cabaret night was held on 8 August 1942 at Rockdale Town Hall, and all proceeds on the night were donated to Kelly's wife Helen and young son.[5]

Funeral

A large funeral was held at Woronora Crematorium for Kelly, will all members of the St. George Dragons team attending.[6]

References

  1. ^ "Cliff Kelly - Career Stats & Summary - Rugby League Project". www.rugbyleagueproject.org. Retrieved 31 July 2019.
  2. ^ The Encyclopedia Of Rugby League Players by Whiticker & Hudson (1995 edition) (ISBN 1 875169571)
  3. ^ The Sun (Sydney) 28 July 1942 "Fatal Loss" https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/231799110?searchTerm=%22ST.GEORGE%22%20%22CLIFF%20KELLY%22&searchLimits=l-state=New+South+Wales%7C%7C%7Cl-decade=194%7C%7C%7Cl-year=1942
  4. ^ Newcastle Morning Herald 25 July 1942 "Newcastle Footballer Killed" https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/132814421?searchTerm=%22clifford%20cyril%20kelly%22&searchLimits=l-decade=194%7C%7C%7Cl-state=New+South+Wales%7C%7C%7Cl-year=1942%7C%7C%7Cl-month=7
  5. ^ The March of the Dragons by Ian Heads (page 61) 1989 (ISBN 0 949853 20 8)
  6. ^ Sydney Morning Herald : Funeral Notice - 25 July 1942