ONE of the men who knows him best, Bristol City legend Brian Tinnion has come to expect the maturity beyond years shown by Cherries’ stand-in captain, insisting: “Nothing Lloyd Kelly does surprises me, he’s always been ahead of the curve.”

The 23-year-old has taken the armband in place of absent Steve Cook, despite Scott Parker announcing that he is to keep the Cherries legend as club captain, throughout the start of the 2021-22 campaign.

Kelly’s childhood was blighted by being thrown into foster care aged seven but it only meant he matured and grew from a young age, which he’s turned into unheralded leadership in professional football.

Tinnion, who is now player pathway manager and crucially one of the most respected entities at Kelly’s former club, watched the youngster develop into an eventual Premier League player after joining City as a schoolboy.

Bournemouth Echo: Brian Tinnion is one of the men who unearthed Lloyd Kelly at Bristol City (Pic: PA)Brian Tinnion is one of the men who unearthed Lloyd Kelly at Bristol City (Pic: PA)

The 53-year-old Geordie made over 550 appearances in a playing career for the Robins before re-joining to head up the youth recruitment at the club in 2013, where has worked in various roles since.

Speaking to the Daily Echo, he said: “No, not at all surprised.

“When he left school at 16 we decided to put Lloyd straight into the under-23s, he missed the under-18s out completely. He’s always been ahead of the curve, Lloyd.

“He has a great attitude, wanted to train, wanting to play all the games and not missing too much football. I’m not surprised by anything Lloyd Kelly does, to be honest.

“He was such a good person to have in the academy, his attitude was always spot on.

Bournemouth Echo: Lloyd Kelly made his name in proffessional football emerging from the Bristol City academy (Pic: PA)Lloyd Kelly made his name in proffessional football emerging from the Bristol City academy (Pic: PA)

“Everything I see Lloyd do doesn’t surprise me one bit and to be captaining Bournemouth is the same because he’s the kind of person who just wants to be the best he can be.”

Since making his professional debut in August 2017 during an EFL Cup tie against Plymouth Argyle, Kelly has made over 100 appearances for his two clubs.

Although he failed to make an impact on the Premier League the first time around, making just eight appearances and keeping one clean sheet as Cherries succumbed to relegation in Eddie Howe’s final season as boss, if they were to hit promotion this campaign Kelly would surely be one of Scott Parker’s most valuable assets.

He had spent much of his Bristol City career operating as a left-back before making the switch to the focal point of defence primarily during his Cherries spell.

While he was at City, his mature performances earned him call-ups to the England under-20 and under-21 sides where he was a member of the squad for the 2019 UEFA European Under-21 Championship, and then the 2021 European Under-21 Championship.

Bournemouth Echo: While at Cherries, Lloyd Kelly represented England under-21 in the European Championships (Pic: PA)While at Cherries, Lloyd Kelly represented England under-21 in the European Championships (Pic: PA)

From a BS3 perspective, Bristol-born Kelly’s money-spinning move to Cherries, worth up to a reported £13million, was bittersweet – the fee was huge for a 20-year-old but he has proven to be worth every penny, and he’s one of a number of local academy products their supporters have had to wave goodbye to.

But just because he’s departed, it doesn’t mean he has slipped from Tinnion’s gaze.

Bournemouth Echo: Brian Tinnion scored the winner in a 1-0 FA Cup victory over Liverpool that lives long in the club's memory (Pic: PA)Brian Tinnion scored the winner in a 1-0 FA Cup victory over Liverpool that lives long in the club's memory (Pic: PA)

He added: “I think he’s a Premier League player, I think he will end up back in the Premier League.

“He did have that season with Bournemouth but he did actually have a few injuries that season, so didn’t really have the chance to shine in the Premier League.

“But I’m sure his route will be back there very soon, I’m sure he will hit great heights. He played for England under-21s, he’s an athletic centre-half who can play a few positions.

“I’ve had a few messages with him and wished him good luck at times, but once they move on they just get on with their careers and crack on.

“But I always watch out for how he’s doing, see how well he’s playing, he’s a great lad and everyone at the academy is very proud of him.”