The club are delighted to confirm that left-arm spinner Peter Kelly has re-signed for Sefton Park for the 2024 season.
Playing at Croxteth Drive since he was a junior, Peter made his way through the senior teams to become one of the club's greatest wicket takers of the last 20 years, claiming 336 league victims for the 1st XI at an average of 19.18 between 2008 and 2016. In Sefton's 2013 Division Two title winning campaign, Peter took an incredible 80 wickets at just 12.45.
Peter joined rivals Liverpool for the 2017 season and enjoyed further success, taking 133 league wickets over the next two seasons.
A move to Rainhill followed in 2019 with Peter taking 88 Premier League wickets including best figures of 8-59 against Formby in 2021.
Peter will of course be a familiar face to many at the club where brother Dan still plays for the 1st XI and mum Jan works behind the bar.
Talking about the reasons behind his return, Peter, said: "I’d missed playing, taking wickets and being a part of a team environment. There’s nothing like a winning beer after a hard win on a warm summer Saturday surrounded by your teammates. Plus, Daniel being there and having the chance to play in the same side as DK was a big factor, but also my mum being there to look after Olive (Peter's daughter) was really important."
Peter admitted that he had considered returning to Liverpool before opting for 'The Shack' over 'HQ'.
He said: "There was the chance to go back to Liverpool. Obviously Jacko is a very good friend of mine and we chatted about the possibility of returning - he’s certainly strengthened his team with the recruitment of two quality players in the Rankins- but it felt right to go back to Sefton and see if I can offer something to the club and make a positive contribution to the team, whatever team that is!
"I was a part of Sefton for as long as I can remember and played in every team from u11 right through to the 1st team, as well as working there and coaching junior sides - it was a big part of my life for a long long time."
Peter is looking forward to seeing some old faces and meeting some new ones when he returns to the club he once regarded as a home from home.
He added: "Although, Sefton is certainly a different club to the one I left - different people, players, facilities - it will be nice to see how the club has evolved and be part of the next chapter."
Welcome back Pete!
The club can also confirm that Leo Spilsbury has left Sefton Park to join Newton le Willows. Leo took 32 league wickets last season and scored 272 runs. He leaves with the best wishes of everyone at the club - good luck Leo!
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