Andy Keeley was a regular member of the youth team and reserve defence and was signed as an apprentice in September 1972, before being upgraded to a full professional in November 1973.
Born Basildon, Andy attended Manor Junior and Barstable Comprehensive Schools, representing Basildon Boys at football and he also played rugby at school, making the Essex County side as a scrum-half.
Started with Ipswich Town schoolboys, but in September 1972 signed as an apprentice professional with Spurs, going on to make his Football Combination debut in the same year. Was part of the Spurs Youth team that won the FA Youth Cup in 1972.
Andy was upgraded to a
professional in January 1974 and went on to make six
first team appearances in the league, but was allowed to
join Sheffield United. At the Blades, he started
as a midfielder before moving back into his more
accustomed position in the back four and played the bulk
of his games for the club in the first two seasons
there, with only a few outings in 1979-80 and 1980-81.
Keeley then moved onto Scunthorpe United in the summer
of 1981 for two seasons and was a regular in the side
when they won the Fourth Division Championship in
1981-82, but was released at the end of that season.
His brother Glenn, two years older and also a defender,
started at Ipswich as well and was signed by Newcastle
United, going on to play for Blackburn Rovers, as well
as a numbe rof other league clubs.