Republic of Ireland international David 'Ned' Kelly signed for West Ham United on this day 26 years ago.
Prolific with Walsall, the Birmingham-born forward top scored for the Saddlers as they secured promotion to the Second Division via the Play-Offs in 1988. A record of 63 league goals in 115 starts prompted the Hammers to come calling that summer to the tune of £600,000.
Kelly started well enough, netting eight times in his first 16 outings in claret and blue. The goals, however, would soon dry up, as the Hammers struggled to stave off relegation. A modest return of six league goals in 21 starts was not nearly enough to keep John Lyall's men in the First Division.
His second season at the Boleyn Ground was to prove similarly turbulent, as Kelly made just eight starts in the second tier, notching three times. An ultimately disappointing stint in east London ended in March 1990, with him heading back to the midlands to join Leicester City.
Kelly journeyed far and wide thereafter, taking in spells at Newcastle United, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Sunderland, Tranmere Rovers, Sheffield United, Motherwell and Mansfield Town, before hanging up his boots in 2002.
With 26 international caps also to his name, Kelly is currently plying his trade at the City Ground, as Nottingham Forest's deputy manager.
On this day - 25 July
25th July 2015