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The ex-Motherwell and Dundee loanee performer, who had spent the past three weeks on trial at Second Division Peterborough United, ironically managed by former Blues boss Barry Fry, describes himself as a good passer of the ball with a decent engine. His career, unlike that of his father, who was a tenacious and combative midfielder with both Manchester United and Leeds United before his present situation as successful manager of Premiership side Southampton, has yet to get off the ground. In six years as a professional, he has made just twelve senior starts, with another nineteen substitute appearances on top in all competitions. The move to Roots Hall will be seen as a new start for the Scot.
Gavin Strachan
Position: Midfielder
Born: Aberdeen, 23rd December 1978
Age: 24 Height: 5ft 8ins Weight: 10st 6lbs
Honours: Scotland Youth, Scotland Under-21 (7 caps)
Career: (12 games [19 substitute appearances], 1 goal)
Coventry City (1st August 1997-27th March 2003); 7 games [16 substitute appearances] 1 goal
Dundee (25th January 1999-24th April 1999 - loan); 4 games [2 substitute appearances] 0 goals
Motherwell (6th January 2002-28th January 2002 - loan); 0 games, 0 goals
Peterborough United (14th March 2003-27th March 2003 - trial); 1 game [1 substitute appearance] 0 goals
This Season: (1 game [2 substitute appearances], 0 goals)
21st December 2002 - Coventry City 3 Derby County 0 (appeared as a 66th minute substitute)
15th March 2003 - Bristol City 1 Peterborough United 0 (appeared as a 57th minute substitute)
18th March 2003 - Peterborough United 1 Wycombe Wanderers 2 (played full 90 minutes)
Perhaps more surprising is Kelly's move to Second Division play-off hopefuls Queens Park Rangers. The 19-year-old Spurs centre-half, who had been highly impressive alongside Leon Cort in the 10 Nationwide League Division Three appearances that he made, was expected under Rob Newman to sign a further month's extention to his deal by the seaside, with a view to a permenant move a distinct possibilty.
However, Newman's departure has meant that the Dublin-born performer has returned to North London, and Tottenham have allowed him to join QPR, subject to a medical. Terrell Forbes, one of Rangers' regular defenders, stretched some ankle ligaments last weekend, and Kelly has been snapped up as his replacement in readiness for Saturday's clash with Blackpool at Bloomfield Road. His departure could pave the way for either Dave McSweeney or Stephen Broad, who both appeared at Whaddon Road in Blues Twos 2-0 win over Cheltenham Town Reserves yesterday, to return to the starting eleven.
Meanwhile, Stewart Robson has been able to agree a deal with Spurs for another of their second year scholars, 19-year-old Ronnie Henry. The Hemel Hempstead-born performer, who appeared 26 times for Tottenham's Under-19 side last season, scoring twice, and eight times for the reserve side, appeared at Roots Hall alongside Kelly in the 4-1 pre-season drubbing of the Shrimpers. However, neither he nor Gavin Strachan will go straight into the starting line-up for the match against York City on Saturday as Robson wishes to give the current squad an adequate chance to impress.
Ronnie Henry
Position: Defender
Born: Hemel Hempstead, 2nd January 1984
Age: 19
Career:
Tottenham Hotspur (1st August 2002-): 0 games, 0 goals
Robert Craven
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