Lack of fitness hampers Kelly

• But midfielder vows to work hard to capitalise on next trial

Ryon Jones, Gleaner Writer

Keith Kelly, a former Jamaica youth football standout, is taking steps to rekindle his international football career, as after enjoying some playing time in the just concluded Digicel Premier League with Sporting Central Academy, he went on a trial stint in Vietnam.

During his three-week spell in Vietnam, Kelly tried out with two separate clubs, but failed to secure a deal due to his poor physical condition and the clubs' desire to sign a player capable of helping them out of their current predicament.

"It was kind of difficult for me because I just started playing back in February, so I wasn't in the best of condition," disclosed Kelly, who just returned to the island.

"But I have been on trial before and knew what to expect, so I did what I had to do. I did my best and they liked me, but the problem was my physical condition as they were wondering if I could last 90 minutes," he added.

overseas experience

Kelly is no stranger to overseas trial stints, having previously played in France, Belgium and Trinidad and Tobago.

He arrived on the football scene with aplomb back in the late 1990s, as after receiving a belated call-up to the national under-17 team, he played a pivotal role in helping them qualify for the 1999 World Youth Cup finals in New Zealand. He then repeated the feat with the under-20 team, which made it to the 2001 FIFA World Youth Championship in Argentina.

Kelly was spotted and signed by Paris Saint Germain in 2000, while competing with the under-23 team at the Olympics. He spent three years with the French side, during which time he was loaned out for half of a season to Belgium club, R.A.E.C. Mons. He then returned to Jamaica, where he joined up with Arnett Gardens, before securing a move to Trinidad and Tobago-based club San Juan Jabloteh.

It was during his spell in the twin-island republic that he suffered his first major injury setback, as he broke his left ankle, which kept him out of action for two and a half years.

He returned to Jamaica in 2007, where he reunited with his first club, Harbour View. But just when he was regaining his fitness and form, he was derailed by another injury. On this occasion he damaged his knee, which saw him take no part in the Stars of the East's 2009-2010 league-winning campaign.

Now 28 years old, the attacking midfielder has not given up on his dream of once again playing professional football abroad.

"I am still working hard and hoping that I can still get one more opportunity to go overseas on a trial," Kelly said. "This one (Vietnam trial stint) was a surprise for me, because just coming back from injury and having not played for so long and getting a trial surprised me.

"Hopefully this season, through hard training and hard work, I can get a next trial and do my best. This season I will be putting my all in it because I always tell myself that I still can get an opportunity to go back overseas," he added.