Kelly had to deal with a grim reality before being asked to join MK Dons.
While waiting to be signed this summer, the Irish goalkeeper talked about his worries for his professional future.
Michael Kelly was fervently hoping for a job offer a few weeks ago when his phone didn’t ring. He was maintaining a clean sheet for MK Dons on Tuesday.
The 27-year-old goalkeeper made his Dons debut at the Kassam Stadium in the EFL Trophy as Graham Alexander’s team’s 1-0 victory over Oxford United and Jack Payne’s penalty all but guaranteed them a berth in the next round of the competition.
None of the four players who made their club debuts that night were more unexpected than Kelly. The Irishman’s entire football career was in jeopardy until a few weeks ago, despite the fact that he helped Carlisle United earn promotion last season.
However, Nathan Harness’ injury forced Dons to search the free-agent market for a keeper to support Craig MacGillivray, and for Kelly, the phone finally rang.
Waiting is terribly difficult, he said. “Anyone who said otherwise is lying.
You have no job today, and in this line of business, there is no guarantee that you will ever have one again. It’s like yanking the rug out from under you tomorrow.
Simply said, you must have confidence in yourself because no one else will, if you don’t. You must persevere and keep working alone. Although difficult, you must persevere.
“It’s not really much of a decision,” he said, “when a club as large as MK Dons comes knocking for you! You can do some things on your own, but you can’t duplicate the high-intensity exercise and the support you receive from the group.
I was eagerly anticipating the call at home, so when you get it, you have to come and take care of business.
Kelly was first hired on a temporary contract just to provide cover for
