Kelvin's Room

Kelvin was born on Tuesday 19th June 1973.

He spent his first 10 happy years growing up in Port Erin with Dad Peter, Mum Lesley and Brother Rob.

It was in these formative years that Kelv developed his love of both football and golf.  Being the youngest brother, Kelv was actively encouraged to go in goals - against numerous garage doors in Athol Avenue - behind the family house in Breagle Glen - nearby Athol Park & in the Rushen Primary School team.  In time Kelvin made his junior league debut in goals for Colby – Peter - with his Peel connection - successfully steering him clear of the foe that still is - Rushen United.

On the golfing front – long, late 70’s summers were spent with Rob on the Breagle Glen & Rowany pitch & putts - before progressing to the Rowany junior section.

The return to Peel:

The Port Erin years were brought to a close in July 1983 when Kelvin’s Mum Lesley tragically passed away aged just 38.  It was at this difficult time that the family returned to Peter’s hometown of Peel.

Kelv thankfully settled into Peel life quickly – on his first day at Clothworkers he was taken under the wing of a certain Stu Perry and readily welcomed by the rest of the lads in year 6 who had a decent football team - but no goalkeeper.   It was a natural step to join the junior ranks of Peel AFC led by Roly Haughton.  

Golf was also an easy transition - with a move to Peel Golf Club and the junior section overseen by a certain Godfrey Kelly Esq.  Kelv’s handicap tumbled culminating in selection for the Junior Island Northern Counties Team.

Work career:

After leaving QE2 School in 1989 and a brief, but unsuccessful foray into a banking, Kelv joined the family tyre business with Dad Peter where he would remain for the next 30 years.

In many ways Kelv became the face of the business – in his typical way - regularly doing favours for the many people he knew - but shrewdly banking these for when the time was right to call on them - we’ll come onto these later!  

Kelv loved the garage - working alongside his Dad - meeting & chatting to people and everything that came with it.   He’d often describe himself as “problem solver” and “part of the commonsense gang”.  When the business moved to Peel - this played into his hands - of juggling work alongside other commitments: family, footy, golf and charity work.  

Also, the garage being based in Peel now gave him the opportunity to take up an additional career which turned out to be the making of him – a retained firefighter at Peel Station.

He was extremely proud to be in the service and in time took up the position of Leading Firefighter.  He always said that joining came at the perfect time as he was coming to the end of his football career - he was just moving from one changing room to another and the banter was just the same.

Football:

Football and in particular Peel AFC was a big part of Kelv’s life. He made his Peel senior debut for the Combination team in October 1988 - aged 15 - before continuing his goalkeeping apprenticeship at Michael Utd - likely influenced by Rob’s stories of lock-ins at the Mitre and then manager Reuben Reid’s ambition of on field success. The 3 years at Michael were probably best described as character building – socially - very successful and with plenty of shot stopping practice.

Kelvin returned to his beloved Peel AFC in 1993 and the rest as they say is history. Over the next 17 years he made 578 appearances. 522 for the 1st team and kept 166 clean sheets - both a club record for Peel. He was part of the backbone of teams that won multiple league titles and countless cup competitions.

Kelvin was also a very successful player for the Isle of Man, making his debut in July 1997 against Wigan Athletic playing 18 matches until he retired in 2003 to focus on family priorities.  

In an unusual turn of events Kelvin also played for Football League side Wrexham FC.  He replaced injured former Wales keeper Andy Dibble in the 2002 IoM International Football festival.  Kelv helped Wrexham secure their place in the final vs Darlington - where he also made an appearance and picked up a winner’s medal – the only Manxman ever to do so!

He finally hung up his 1st team gloves at the end of the 2009-10 season - culminating in a Hospital Cup final 2-1 victory vs DHSOB.  There was a brief 3 game return in 2014-15 aged 41 to cover injury and until nephew and young protégé Owen was old enough to claim the spot!

Family Life:

Kelvin and Marie met in February 1992.  Eighteen months on - Kelv & Marie - along with new four-legged friend “Cornflakes” - set up their first family home in Glenfaba Road.  

Kelv & Marie married on 18th June 1999 at Kirk Patrick Church.  Much loved daughters, Ana arrived in July 2000, Lea in January 2002 and Hollie in September 2004.

It’s fair to say that from arrival of the girls in the early noughties Kelv’s priorities changed – everything now centred around his beloved family - apart of course from 2 hours on a Saturday afternoon!  

The family moved to 3 Mountain View in 2004 - the house, today unrecognisable, was another example of Kelv’s dogged determination to provide the best for his family and following extensive works they achieved a beautiful family home.

As mentioned - Kelvin’s own promising early golf career was tempered by footballing priorities. He continued to play when he could - annoyingly off 5 or 6 without even practising - likely helped by a razor-sharp short game - the famous Dawson soft hands - he didn’t get from his dad or Rob!

His focus turned to helping the junior section at Peel Golf Club and in particular Ana – Lea - Hollie & niece Kayleigh.  Many a time Kelv would travel back on the now customary Sunday overnight boat with the girls and straight into work at the garage. He’d often be found early in the morning or last thing at night on the putting green or practice ground at Peel Golf club - helping the girls work on their games.  

Charity & Community:

Kelvin was the Chairman of the Tommy Clucas Memorial Fund - a charity which was formed by friends & family of Tom after he lost his life in the 2004 Manx Grand Prix.

He was a driving force behind fundraising - including the annual Peelstock music festival. During many a meeting in the Whitehouse, the target was often suggested as out of reach. Kelv would have none of it and kept the committee motivated to not settle for anything less than the aim - an indoor sports facility for Peel.

‘Pulling a rabbit out of a hat’ - as Kelv said many times – drawing on many of those favours he’d come up with friends and contacts to support fundraising, grants and events.

The Tommy Clucas Community Sports Hall opened in Peel on 1 September 2013.  Community use has exceeded all expectations and it is a massive part of sport and recreation in the West.

Without Kelvin’s enthusiasm and commitment, simply, the project would not have succeeded.

Kelvin’s battle with cancer:

In September 2019 Kelvin was diagnosed with a brain tumour - the prognosis being severe at between 3-18 months. Following several operations and extensive treatment Kelvin battled the illness for 2 ½ years with the grit and determination that he’d demonstrated throughout his life.

Not content with having to deal with severe illness and the extra complications of a pandemic, he continued to help his beloved Peel AFC with ad-hoc keeper coaching duties, supported his girls' progression with their golf and still managed a regular game himself with Robin, his girls and the Peel Viking League.  

He was a model of positivity, drive and stubbornness, refusing to admit defeat in anything that life threw at him.      

Kelvin was one of life’s true gents – never a bad word to say about anyone and would always put others above himself.  He was the biggest team player and had a sense of purpose with everything he did.

Kelvin passed away on 16 March 2022 aged 48.

‍

‍

‍