Liverpool star called up to England squad had one of shortest Three Lions career ever

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He was amongst the fortunate 1,290 to have earned an England cap, though the defender's international experience proved fleeting in the extreme.The centre-back was given his debut when he replaced Phil Jones in the 88th minute of the 1-0 friendly victory over Norway in Oslo. However, when looking back on the distinction of possessing one of the shortest international careers in England's history, the 36-year-old revealed why he regards it as a treasured moment."Apparently the shortest England career in history," he told The Athletic in 2025.

"I don't know for sure how accurate that is, but it's what I've been told. All the latest news and analysis from Anfield on the Liverpool Echo's dedicated LFC Facebook pageAs fate would have it, he was subsequently summoned to Hodgson's squad for the Euros as cover for the injured Gary Cahill, who had sustained a fractured jaw.

When Gary Cahill broke his jaw a week later, [England manager] Roy Hodgson called me up as a replacement in the squad for the Euros."It was a shame that I spent the first 10 days of the tournament in bed with a virus and never got the chance to play for England again. Kelly aimed for an emotional return, but the club didn't offer him a contract and he chose to retire from the game in March 2025."It was March when I sat down with the family and told them I was thinking about it," he said.