Kelly Extension
The Club is pleased to announce that Stephen Kelly has signed a two-year contract extension which ties him to Fulham until 30th June 2014.
The full-back was a regular starter for the Whites last season, making 33 appearances for Martin Jol's side, and he was thrilled to put pen to paper upon his return to Motspur Park on Tuesday afternoon.
"I'm delighted that it's sorted now and I can hopefully continue on from last year," Kelly told fulhamfc.com. "It was a really good end to the season with the way we finished off, the way we were playing and I just hope we can continue on with that again.
"Last season was fantastic for me, playing pretty much every game from Christmas onwards and to cement myself as the number one right-back was great and hopefully I can continue on with that this season.
"To sign another contract here is fantastic. I'm delighted to be staying at the Club and I just want to carry on with the progression I've made over the last year or so."
The Club have added three new faces to the squad over the summer in Mladen Petric, Sascha Riether and Hugo Rodallega, and Stephen is looking forward to getting to know the latest additions to the Fulham team.
"Everyone seems to be lovely and seems to be gelling quite well," he explained. "That's really important I think before you go into the start of a season. I think pre-season trips are about more than just fitness, they bring everybody together.
"I missed out on the white water rafting and that would have been right up my street as I'm a bit of an adrenaline junkie! Hopefully they'll be more team bonding things to do which will help us get to know each other. I'm looking forward to getting to know the new lads and meeting up with my friends as well."
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Good
wrong right back extended :016:
Happy with this.
One of those players who has been improving over time.
Good too.
Nogood "being right back where we were, isit" Boyo
Good # 3 . Great attitude, decent player who will continue to improve. Hoping Grygera proves his fitness and gets a contract too as I'll be happy with having the two of them fighting for the spot. ROI flag
Pleased with this, FFC have two good players at right back for next season (I know others will disagree) Kelly has proved he will keep working away patiently waiting for his turn to come round and do his best to cement his place without moaning or unsettling others.
Signing him on a 2 year contract also shows the amount of faith Jol has in him. It's also puts to bed yet another false rumour put about that we had let him go because he was not good enough.
not really the most important contract to have been sorted really. He is ok nothing more.
good 4:
him
us
Alistair
Marteen
great news and glad they signed him quickly. he knows the team, the setup and seems content as a backup and occasional starter with a good attitude. Players like that seem hard to find these days. Best to get that business done now rather than lose him to another club.
Feeling better each day about our side for next season, and it isn't over yet I don't think :scarf:
Put me in the good camp also. Think he had a good season and was getting better with an extended run in the team. Will be interesting to see who starts next month.
Really happy with the positivity when it comes to Kelly after last season, he appears to have won over the majority of the fans with his efforts.
Also means any Kitty isn't expended on him and we can sign someone awesome elsewhere!
ok for squad cover- not my first choice
I'm happy to hear he's staying. :beer:
Massive improvement last season. Extention well earnt...
Very happy he's been rewarded for a very promising season.
Fully deserved :54:
...I'm happy also, not a spectacular player but steady and methodical and he has improved since the Europa Cup season - and despite the detractors I thought he played well back then. I must admit I thought the club had released him a week or so ago, maybe I am overworked..?
Good for him. He deserves it.
Good for us. He's a good player and a team player.
Great news!
Deserved.
The weakest link at the back and the one given the easiest time about it too.
Nothing against the lad, but I reckon he is way off the standard required.
Bit Picky, but surely its only a 1 year extension, given that he already had a year left.
Quote from: EtuhuForNigeria on July 24, 2012, 11:13:51 PM
Bit Picky, but surely its only a 1 year extension, given that he already had a year left.
No he didnt. Out of contract this summer.
Chuffed with this, and really impressed with his character too. It's good that we're keeping some of the lads from the past few seasons as a complete overhaul might be a bit detrimental.
Not been my favourite either but he has shown a great attitude and a great improvement in his football and you can't ask more than that in reality.
I wonder though, have we got a lot to spend? Recent transfers may suggest not and if we were to keep one RB at the club out of Grygera or Kelly (even as a back up to someone coming in), Kelly surely fits the bill. Younger - keeping Jols squad age down, fitter - Grygera coming back from injury and classed as 'homegrown'.
Perhaps we wanted to keep one of the two (to save laying out a huge signing on fee to a new player) and everything mentioned played a part?
Good news. Much improved. Maybe not the best but reliable.
Where does Riether fit in here?
Did we sign him as a starting right-back or utility cover?
I would think Riether is the presumptive starter, but he's also an unknown quantity. Kelly is not going to set the world on fire, but I did think he improved in the second half of last year, and the other options are dicey. I'm not sure if Grygera is going to be right for quite a while longer, and Baird is a problem at RB, in my opinion.
Good! He is one of those players who is willing to run that extra mile.
He deserves it after last season but I don't think he will reach half the number of games he played last season. A good solid squad player who does a job but thats about it.
