Cliff Kelly (1917 – 23 July 1942) was an Australian rugby league footballer who played in the 1940s.

Cliff Kelly
Personal information
Full nameClifford Cyril Kelly
Born1917
Kurri Kurri, New South Wales
Died23 July 1942 (aged 25)
Tempe, New South Wales
Playing information
PositionSecond-row, Prop
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1940–41 St. George 7 2 0 0 6
Source: [1]

Career

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Kelly came to St. George in 1940 from Kurri Kurri, New South Wales. He was a second-row forward who suffered recurring knee injuries that stifled his short career.[2]

Accidental death

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In 1942, he was again playing good football in the reserve grade before an accident on a train killed him on 27 July 1942.[3] The train was heading for Tempe railway station when he leaned out of the train and was immediately struck in the head by a passing train. He died at Tempe station while waiting for an ambulance.[4]

The Annual St. George Club Cabaret night was held on 8 August 1942 at Rockdale Town Hall, and all proceeds on the night were donated to Kelly's wife Helen and young son.[5]

Funeral

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A large funeral was held at Woronora Crematorium for Kelly, will all members of the St. George Dragons team attending.[6]

References

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  1. ^ "Cliff Kelly - Career Stats & Summary - Rugby League Project". www.rugbyleagueproject.org. Retrieved 31 July 2019.
  2. ^ The Encyclopedia Of Rugby League Players by Whiticker & Hudson (1995 edition) (ISBN 1 875169571)
  3. ^ The Sun (Sydney) 28 July 1942 "Fatal Loss" https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/231799110?searchTerm=%22ST.GEORGE%22%20%22CLIFF%20KELLY%22&searchLimits=l-state=New+South+Wales%7C%7C%7Cl-decade=194%7C%7C%7Cl-year=1942
  4. ^ Newcastle Morning Herald 25 July 1942 "Newcastle Footballer Killed" https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/132814421?searchTerm=%22clifford%20cyril%20kelly%22&searchLimits=l-decade=194%7C%7C%7Cl-state=New+South+Wales%7C%7C%7Cl-year=1942%7C%7C%7Cl-month=7
  5. ^ The March of the Dragons by Ian Heads (page 61) 1989 (ISBN 0 949853 20 8)
  6. ^ Sydney Morning Herald : Funeral Notice - 25 July 1942