Kelly played
Lock for
Exeter Rugby Club and is the only player from that team to have captained England. He also turned out for Devon County in 39 games between 1903 and 1910, including games against New Zealand, South Africa and Australia. In the 1908–09 match against Australia, he scored the only try against the visitors. As well as playing for Devon he also played for the
Lancashire County Team. After playing for Exeter he also played for London Devonians, London Civil Service, Liverpool OBs and Harlequins. Kelly played a total of 12 matches for England, but only one as captain. He made his international debut on 13 January 1906 at the
Athletic Ground, Richmond in the
England vs
Wales match. Of the 12 matches he played for his national side he was on the winning side on 5 occasions. He played his final match for England on 21 March 1908 at
Inverleith in the
Scotland vs
England match. ==Life outside sport==