Carlisle United keeper on 'incredible' understudy and promotion push

No1 Holy says Kelly has been an unsung hero for his efforts behind the scenes at Brunton Park.

United’s big Czech has played in every league game so far with Kelly limited to three Papa John’s Trophy appearances.

But Holy says the value of a player and character like ex-Bray Wanderers man Kelly cannot be underestimated.

“I couldn’t wish for anybody better,” said Holy.

“I’ve been in situations before with other goalkeepers…I understand they want to become first choice goalkeeper, and there is always competition, but it wasn’t really like a friendly way. It didn’t just feel right.

“With Mick, he’s working really hard, and it would be absolutely naïve to think differently than he wants to be number one.

Holy says Kelly is constantly encouraging and advising young keeper Gabe Breeze (Image: Richard Parkes)

“The situation is what it is, but he’s incredible – he’s a friend of mine, incredible to the boys, and great to Gabe [Breeze, United’s teenage third-choice keeper] – loads of times I see him talking to him, trying to give him advice, and he works absolutely hard in training.

“He’s acting as a friend to me, and to the guys. It doesn’t mean I don’t have to work. There is absolutely no guarantee for me, because he’s a very good quality goalkeeper.

“But we are on the same side, like friends and colleagues, and that is priceless for me.”

Holy has helped Carlisle reach second place in League Two – and the Blues’ push for promotion continues at Swindon Town this weekend.

It is the first of a 12-game run-in that sees United come up against a host of sides at the top end of the table.

Holy said: “It’s so open, it’s still so tight. Leyton Orient are several points ahead but in other places it’s only a few points difference.

READ MORE: Blues keeper Holy: how I turned my mindset around

“The game is on. The 12-game season can begin.

“There is a saying that the last step is the hardest one. We’ve got 12 games to go, the next stop is Swindon, and we have to go game by game.

“We’ve got 12 games to go, eight weeks or so of hard work. We have to sacrifice, do whatever it takes.”

Holy also spoke of his appreciation for the support he and the team are receiving from Carlisle’s fans.

“These fans are incredible,” he said. “I think we are where we are also because of them.

“None of the team would play their best without the fans behind them.

“Lots of the away games, I feel like we are at home. Our fans are just incredible. And at home it’s amazing. If something goes wrong, which happens – it’s life, it’s football – they don’t turn against us.

“They try to encourage us even more to turn it. Even last Saturday, if we’d gone 1-0 down, I do believe they’d have pushed us further and we would have turned that game around.”

Holy, meanwhile, maintains that United must enjoy the position they are in and the challenge of seeing a promotion challenge through.

“With all respect, I had a season with Gillingham which was the opposite end of the table, and last year here [at Carlisle] was probably the same.

“Now we are complete opposite end of the table, and unless you are Manchester City, Barcelona, PSG, you are not there every season, every year.

“It’s another reason to enjoy. Don’t be greedy, don’t take it automatically – you still have to put lots of work into this job. It doesn’t come for free, absolutely not.

“But still it’s important to enjoy. We had to work hard to get where we are now, but we are doing it with a smile on our faces. And the hard work brings the fruit.”