Renforth
Kelley was one of the celebrated English crew which visited America in 1871 with the then champion James Renforth. During a race against a St John's crew on Aug 23 1871, Renforth collapsed and eventually died in Kelley's arms.
A memorial sculpture, erected by public subscription showing the dying figure of Renforth in the arms of Kelley now stands outside Shipley Art Gallery in Gateshead.
Kelley continued to row and on the 5th November 1877 he raced Joseph Sadler over the Putney to Mortlake course for a stake of £400. After an even start Sadler went ahead and was never passed. His time was 24m.02s. After the race Kelley rowed over to Sadler and shook hands to the cheers of the onlookers. After finally retiring from competitive rowing, Kelley went on to act as a steer and trainer for a number of crews and scullers. He steered Australian Edward Trickett against Canadian Ned Hanlan during their race for the World Champion title on the Thames. He was still busy coaching F L Playford for the amateur championship in 1879 and steered the umpire for the Oxford Cambridge Boat Race on a number of occasions.
He died at his home in Fulham in 1914 aged 82.
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