A true Exeter City legend, Kellow enjoyed no less than three separate spells with the Grecians and was always a fans favourite.
He first signed for the Grecians from Falmouth Town in July 1976, where he had been a prolific goalscorer. Falmouth would also receive 10% of any future fee that Exeter received for the player.
Kellow had started his playing career with the Falmouth Docks team in the Falmouth & Helston league.
At the age of 15 he made his debut for the Docks first team in the Cornwall Combination League.
He later joined South Western League side, Penzance, playing for the Cornwall County side on five occasions.
Kellow moved to Falmouth Town in the summer of 1973 and netted 62 goals in his first season as his team won the South Western League title.
Kellow switched back to Penzance for the 1974-75 season, but twelve months later had signed for Falmouth Town once more, and in 1975-76 scored well over 50 goals for them.
Despite the higher level of football, Kellow netted twice on his league debut for Exeter, in a 2-2 draw against Hartlepool United at St James’ Park.
In his first season he netted 19 league goals and formed a lethal partnership with Alan Beer (21 goals) which did much to earn Exeter promotion to Division Three.
He was Exeter’s top scorer with 14 league goals in 46 matches in 1977-78, and had netted 7 in 17 games in 1977-78 before a move to Blackpool took place in November 1978 for a fee of £105,000 - a then club record.
Three months earlier City had turned down a bid of £40,000 from Chesterfield, as well as £70,000 from Fulham, £75,000 from Peterborough United and £45,000 plus a player from Watford.
Although Kellow scored 23 goals in 57 league appearances for the Seasiders he never really settled on the Lancashire coast and was pleased to return to Exeter for another club record fee of £65,000 in March 1980. He soon got back into the scoring groove, and became the Exeter City Player of the year in 1980-81.
This time he scored 61 goals in 143 league outings, before transferring to Plymouth Argyle in November 1983 for a fee of £5,000.
By the following October and having made only a handful of appearances for Argyle, Kellow signed for Swansea City.
He featured just the once as a substitute for the Swans, then moving to their near neighbours Newport County in November 1984, scoring 8 goals in 20 league matches.
Kellow started his third spell back at Exeter City in July 1985 and was to stay for another three seasons, once again becoming the clubs leading scorer in 1985-85 and 1986-87.
He then became the Grecians’ Promotions Manager, Commercial Manager and also ran the Centre Spot social club at St James’ Park.
Kellow had a benefit match at St James’ Park in August 1990, when Exeter City played Leicester City.
After finally leaving the Grecians in November 1991, Kellow became landlord of the Eagle Tavern in Howell Street, Exeter and later the Clifton Arms.
He was also appointed Crediton United’s commercial manager in November 1992.
Later Kellow returned to his native Cornwall at Budock Water. A weekly internet show, ‘Kellows Bootlaces’ was named after the player who many regard as one of the all time Grecian legends and a terrific character.
Tony Kellow died in February 2011. A memorial stone and plaque was put up in his home village of Budock Water in December that year and a photograph donated by Exeter City Supporters Club hangs in the adjoining Trelowarren Arms.
Tony was one of initial members of our Hall of Fame which included : Cliff Bastin, Jimmy Giles, Alan Banks, Tony Kellow, Dick Pym, Arnold Mitchell, Dermot Curtis and Reg Clarke.
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