Latics Bolton player connections

Just as you would imagine with the clubs being so close geographically there have been quite a few players to have played for both teams over the years, there are some who I admit to never having heard of

Then there are one or two who were legends at both clubs

Vital Wigan will today take a brief look at one of those legends

Tony Kelly

Date of Birth - 1st October 1964:

Kelly was signed by Latics manager Harry McNally from Prescott Cables back in 1983 and made his debut playing at right back in a 0-1 defeat at home to Walsall.

From his uninspiring debut Kelly went on to become a Latics legend, firstly as a sweeper and then forming a midfield partnership with Kevin Langley that was as good as any outside the top division.

He was a dab hand with free kicks and scored regularly from them earning the nickname 'Zico` from Latics fans

Kelly made 101 appearances for the Latics before being sold to Stoke City for £80,000 in 1986 to help avoid the club going in to administration

Kelly returned to the Latics in 1995 and made two appearances before joining Altrincham

Tony Kelly was a goal scoring member of the 1985 Freight Rover Trophy winning Latics team that brushed Brentford aside 3-1 at Wembley

The Bolton years

Kelly signed for Bolton in August 1991 from Shrewsbury Town for £100,000 and made his debut on the 17th August 1991 at Burnden Park against Huddersfield Town.

Kelly went on to make over 100 appearances for Bolton and earned the nickname 'Tubby` for obvious reasons, before leaving for Port Vale on a free transfer in September 1994

He was an almost ever present for both clubs during his time at Wigan and Bolton becoming Kelly the legend.

Here is a list of others who have played for both clubs:

John Ball, Malcolm Barrass, Brian Bromley, Paul Comstive, Walter Crook, Ernie Corfield,

Wayne Entwistle, Simon Farnworth, Gareth Farrelly, Dave Felgate, Per Frandsen, Scott Green, Ken Grieves, Ralph Gubbins,

Derek Hennin, John Higgins, Paul Jones, Tony Kelly, David Lee, Paul Lodge, Dave McKearney, Tommy Neill, Neil Redfearn,

Bruce Rioch, Ian Seddon, Geoff Sleight, Stuart Storer, Greg Strong, Steve Taylor, Emerson Thome,

Chris Thompson, David Thompson, Gavin Ward, Stuart Whittaker, Roy Wilkinson, Tom Woodward.

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