Former Carlisle United defender auctions match-worn shirts to help non-league club Scarborough Athletic

But now former Blues defender Darren Kelly is putting four of his match-worn United jerseys up for auction. 

The 41-year-old is attempting to raise funds to help non-league Scarborough Athletic – the club he manages – through the severe financial challenges of Covid-19. 

Scarborough Athletic are the club that formed after the collapse of Scarborough FC – the latter having been consigned to non-league and then oblivion after Blues keeper Jimmy Glass’s miracle goal against Plymouth in 1999. 

One of the shirts Kelly is offering on eBay is a genuine rarity – a green away shirt worn just once by the team. 

It was produced by Umbro for Carlisle’s away game against Bristol Rovers in February 2003.

How United's one-off green kit looked in 2003

Kelly is also offering a red and black away shirt, as well as a blue home shirt and a white away shirt from his time with the Cumbrians.

Blues fans have already been bidding for the shirts. 

Former centre-half Kelly told the News & Star: “I’m proud of my Carlisle jerseys, and absolutely love them, but the bigger picture is that I want to play my part at a difficult time. 

“Like every club at this level, we don’t get any real financial support and the club [Scarborough] are rallying around for any bit of help we can. 

“Although games at our level have been suspended, there are bills still to be paid and if I can help in a little way I’ll happily do that. 

“It might not raise thousands and thousands but every week at clubs there are outgoings, and every little helps. 

“Anything that’s raised will go to the club to help pay bills and it doesn’t surprise me that the Carlisle supporters are bidding on the shirts, because they’re absolutely amazing people up there.

“If Carlisle were in the same position, I would do exactly the same for them because of my connection and love for them.” 

Bidding remains open on the four shirts until Thursday afternoon, with the green shirt attracting the highest offers so far - currently standing at £127.

“I believe the green one is well sought-after,” Kelly added. “It’s even more of a rarity because I cut the sleeves off that one, because I didn’t wear long sleeves when I played.

Darren Kelly pictured during his time at Brunton Park

“My main prized possession from my time at Carlisle is my jersey from the LDV final in 2003 – that’s all framed and has a medal with it. I will always keep that one, but I am willing to let these four go.” 

Kelly said that in the previous lockdown he auctioned off some Northern Ireland memorabilia to raise funds. 

Of his latest fundraising effort, he said: “I’ve come to adore and love Scarborough in the same way I do Carlisle. 

“As I’ve said a thousand times over, I would love to return to Carlisle one day in some capacity. I absolutely love the place. 

“I would do something like this for any of the clubs I have an affiliation with.” 

Kelly, who has been in charge at Northern Premier League Premier Division side Scarborough since 2019 after spells at the helm of Oldham, FC Halifax and Hyde, also has an ambassadorial role with Coaches Voice Academy, and is about to begin a university tutoring post. 

To bid on the four shirts, which feature Kelly’s name and number on the back as well as Football League logos, visit: 

Green away shirt: tinyurl.com/zhf2gflh

Blue home shirt: tinyurl.com/3bsuv645

Red and black away shirt: tinyurl.com/473xgt6t

White away shirt: tinyurl.com/1i3q6l4e