Kevin Kelly's turbulent Celtic legacy as club pay tribute following death of ex-chairman

Kelly was chairman from 1991 to 1994, leaving after Fergus McCann led a takeover of the financially-troubled club, which ended the decades-long rule of several families who formed what was nicknamed the “biscuit-tin” board.

Celtic described Kelly as a “passionate supporter of the club over many years”. A statement added: “Our sincere condolences, thoughts and prayers are with Kevin’s family at this very difficult time.”

Kelly joined the board in 1971, when his uncle Sir Robert Kelly stepped down after 24 years as chairman.His cousin Michael Kelly was on the board with him. His grandfather, James Kelly, had also been Celtic chairman and a long-standing board member after being the club’s first captain.

Kelly’s spell as chairman was troubled on and off the pitch.

Celtic did not win a trophy between the 1989 and 1995 Scottish Cup finals and there was a lengthy campaign for boardroom change which involved courtroom battles and warnings the club was at risk of insolvency.

The Lanarkshire-based businessman was at the forefront of plans for a new stadium in Cambuslang, which he termed Celtic’s “dream home”, which never got off the ground.

McCann and his allies remained persistent over several years and, after a meeting with the Bank of Scotland in early 1994, Kelly called for the removal of two directors and alleged the board had not been kept “fully informed of the financial plight of the club” and warned of an “immediate peril of being put into receivership”.

With Celtic on the brink of financial collapse, McCann and his allies completed a rescue deal and takeover in March 1994 and Kelly stepped down from the board six months later.

“As I have always put the club’s interest first and my own position last, this was not such a difficult decision to make,” he said. “Having refused a considerable cash benefit, which enabled Fergus McCann to assume control of the club, I am convinced he will restore the fortunes of Celtic both on and off the field of play.”

Then managing director McCann said: “I feel it should be remembered that Kevin and Tom Grant both stood up to be counted when the club faced bankruptcy and turned down personal wealth to enable the club to begin its climb back to former glories.”

Kelly was on the board during a spell when dozens of young footballers at Celtic Boys’ Club – seen as Celtic’s feeder club – were sexually abused by coaches including James Torbett.

Torbett was convicted in 1998 of offences ranging from 1967-1974 and then in 2018 of offences from 1986-1994. He had left Celtic Boys’ Club in 1974 but later returned.

The club last year settled a group action which involved about 30 players and said it was “very sorry” that the events took place at Celtic Boys’ Club, noting the “historic contacts between the two organisations”.

Kelly later denied having any knowledge of claims against Torbett during his spell on the board. He was listed as being a director of Torbett’s Trophy Centre company from 1989 to 2005.