Brummie striker Kelly enjoyed his sole full season as a Fox, regaining his scoring touch following a tough spell at West Ham and finishing as a top-scorer before falling out with incoming manager Brian Little and swiftly moving to Newcastle United.

The Birmingham-born marksman battled disability to become a professional footballer but was given his big chance by Walsall while working in the Cadbury’s factory in the West Midlands, his form with the Saddlers attracting the interest of the Hammers, who paid big money for his services.

Things didn’t work out in the capital and Leicester took a chance on him in March 1990, signing him on deadline day. It was a move that suited both parties, with Kelly rediscovering his scoring touch to finish as top-scorer for City in his only full campaign, eventually netting 25 goals in total.

His improved form saw him called up for Ireland seven times whilst a Fox but he did not get a chance in the 1990 World Cup in Italy.

Kelly’s spell in the blue and white was short-lived, however, A falling out with new boss Little saw the striker transfer listed and Newcastle United snapped him up just days later. Kelly went on to spearhead Newcastle’s Division One championship, including a hat-trick in a 7-1 thrashing of City.

That was his last game for the Geordies, however, with a move back to the Midlands with Wolverhampton Wanderers soon following. Moves to Sunderland, Tranmere and Sheffield United followed before Kelly spent his latter years as a professional with Motherwell and Mansfield Town.