Adam Kelly enjoyed the briefest of playing careers at Exeter City as a member of the Centre of Excellence under-16 squad in 2003/04. But, in a varied career, he was to return to the academy in various sports science and coaching roles between 2011 and 2017 before teaching in universities. 

After City, Adam’s playing career took him on to Tiverton Town where he played for the under 18s during 2005/06 and made five first-team appearances before his education took him to Southampton.

Whilst in the Southampton area Adam played for Winchester City and Bashley. Later, between 2010 and 2012, he was at Salisbury City for whom he made 77 appearances and scored 14 goals. He was on the bench when Salisbury faced Sheffield United in the FA Cup in January 2012. 

After leaving Salisbury, and by now studying for a masters qualification, Adam joined Truro City in 2012. He was soon to move to Poole Town and on to Tiverton (for a second spell) and Weymouth before joining the now re-formed Salisbury FC in 2016.

Adam signed for Taunton Town in 2016/17 later playing with Mangotsfield United, Thatcham Town, Melksham Town and Paulton Rovers and - by 2022/23 - Willand Rovers.

Academically Adam progressed on to PhD study at Exeter University focusing on talent identification and development processes in youth football. Completing his PhD in 2018, Adam worked as a lecturer in sports science and coaching at Birmingham City University and published a number of research papers.