12 Facts About Len Kelly

Leonard Thomas Kelly was an Australian premiership winning rugby league player who played in the 1930s and 1940s with St George.

Len Kelly was later a senior administrator with the club in their successive eleven year winning run from 1956 to 1966.

Len Kelly was born in Manildra, New South Wales on 17 June 1913.

Len Kelly went on to become a legend at the St George as a player, coach and administrator.

Len Kelly came to club via the junior club, Sutherland Grave-Diggers.

Len Kelly played twelve seasons for St George between 1933 and 1944, the highlight being his vice-captaincy in the 1941 Grand Final winning team.

Len Kelly played 208 grade games with St George, a record which stood till Norm Provan surpassed it late in his career.

Len Kelly retired from the Sydney league in 1944 to captain-coach at Picton for three years.

Len Kelly returned to St George as an administrator in 1950 and became an Australian selector in 1956.

Len Kelly was President of the St George Football Club and a director of St George League's Club during the club's successful run of eleven straight premierships from 1956 to 1966.

Len Kelly later became vice-president of the NSWRFL under President Bill Buckley.

Len 'The Deacon' Kelly died at his Arncliffe, New South Wales home on 3 November 1981, age 68 after a long illness.