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Bobby Kellard (he was Well ‘ard)

John J O’Connor

Friday, January 15th, 2021

1 Leave a comment on verse 1 0 Some players are born to ramble
Others play for just one side
Bobby Kellard played for eight different teams
And led them all with pride.

2 Leave a comment on verse 2 0 Robert Sydney William Kellard
A north Londoner by birth
A born and natural, feisty leader
And a salt man of the earth

3 Leave a comment on verse 3 0 Near the earth, he was we know
Standing only five feet four
But anyone tackled by Bobby Kellard
Always came out bruised and sore

4 Leave a comment on verse 4 0 His son Rob was often told by fans
‘you’re dad was a dirty player’
“No, he was just a little bit ‘ard,” said Rob
“He always tried to play it fair.”

5 Leave a comment on verse 5 0 He started out with Southend United
Then was signed, by Palace boss Dick Graham
And in midfields throughout the football world
Bobby Kellard caused sheer mayhem.
Combative, ferocious, tenacious
Were descriptive words for Bobby
Whose ruthlessness in winning tackles
Was on par with MacKay and Nobby.

6 Leave a comment on verse 6 0 Sold by Palace to Ipswich town
Was the man with the chest of barrel
Bought by Bristol City, Pompey,
and then Leicester’s Frank O’Farrell
He re-signed for Palace in 71
About forty grand we paid
And after just half a dozen games
Our captain he was made.
He led us into battle
Saved the team from relegation
Loved by all the Palace fans
For his inspirational dedication.
He weren’t no Martin Peters
And he weren’t no Johnny Giles
But to the fans of Crystal Palace
He brought happiness and smiles.

7 Leave a comment on verse 7 0 He was transferred back to Pompey
Where he made the history books
Being the first player ever sent off on a Sunday
After throwing a few right hooks.
So Bobby you were a rare one
A captain through and through
While some players for brekks have cornflakes
It was nails that you would chew.
So for all the clubs you rambled
And all the grounds you played
The name of Bobby Kellard
Will never, ever fade.

8 Leave a comment on verse 8 0 R.I.P. Bobby

Notes

Bobby Kellard played for Palace two different times in his career, as he did Portsmouth. He also played for Southend ( where he was their youngest ever first team player) Ipswich, Bristol City, Leicester, Torquay United and Durban City. He was a real proper captain. Something that seems to be missing in todays game. Palace fans still talk of his performance against Arsenal at the end of the 71-72 season. Bobby was immense that night. Two down after ten minutes, Bobby took the game by the scruff of the neck, winning every ball in the middle and then urging his players forward. A pure captain’s performance, which ended with Palace clawing their way back to earn a 2-2 draw. Sadly Bobby passed away last Sunday (Jan 10) He will be sadly missed by fans from all the clubs he represented.

Bobby Kellard 1943-2021 R.i.P.

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Source: http://footballpoets.org/poems/bobby-kellard-he-was-well-ard/