Shrewsbury Town legend Tony Kelly shares memories and hopes for survival
Shrewsbury legend Tony Kelly described Town's 2-0 defeat to Bolton last weekend as like a 'chess match.'
For many Salop fans old enough to remember back a few decades – he was the grandmaster in possession.
What those in blue and amber could've done with his calming influence in the middle of the pitch, dictating the ball, calling the shots and keeping the hosts ticking over.
Kelly was on Bolton media duty in his position of club ambassador at the Macron, where he's also had a stint as fan liaison officer.
The immensely popular Huyton-born midfielder used the opportunity, alongside close friend and fellow former Salop star and Bolton legend John McGinlay, to catch up with some old Gay Meadow acquaintances.
"I was quite pleased with them and they look OK," said Kelly, who made 116 appearances for Town between 1989-1991 before his big move to Burden Park.
"I was talking to the chairman and (club president) Malcolm Starkey, people that were around here when I was here.
"You've just got to stick together and keep working hard and they'll get out of it. Town are fighting for their lives.
"Bolton are going for promotion so I knew it was going to be a game of chess, Bolton stuck to the task and what they're good at and got the goals."
It may be more than a quarter of a century since Kelly, now 52, left for Bolton, but his time with Shrews – where fans idolised his ability on the ball and technique with a fine left foot – is ranked among his highest.
As well as being confident enough in what he's seen of Paul Hurst's Town during last Saturday's first half and their spirited second-half comeback at the Macron on Boxing Day, Kelly holds personal affection with the area.
"It's always been a lovely little football club, a family football club and I had some great times here – it's a result I look for," added Kelly.
"I want to see them stay up, I really do. I had some special times, it's a big part of my life, my daughter was born here, she's a proud Salopian.
"Me and John (McGinlay), all we were talking about was our time at Shrewsbury, originally under Ian McNeill before John left, I was club captain for a few years. I also got to speak to Bernard McNally there who was a great lad.
"Mick Heathcote was a great lad, Mickey Brown obviously went in the same year as me (to Bolton), Stevie Perks – all great people.
"Lessie Helm (former physio) sorted out my fitness that got me the big move to Bolton.
"My favourite game was when I got the hat-trick against Reading, the only one I ever got.
"But I think my best performance in a Shrewsbury Town shirt was at Stoke City when I scored that goal, beating five or six men in the box and scoring from a tight angle.
"The Stoke fans had been booing because I played for them but (after scoring) they were clapping me too."
