Kelly has six games to beat drop

The ex-Northern Ireland defender, pictured, was named on Thursday night as the successor to Gary Lowe after he left Ewen Fields at the beginning of March with the Tigers hovering above the top flight's drop zone and facing a third successive relegation.

Starting on Saturday at Frickley Athletic, the 36-year-old has six games to avoid the drop with the club one place and three points clear. In a statement on the Premier Division club's website welcoming Kelly, officials said he would be be assisted by Martyn Booty and academy director Gareth Predergast.

A spokesman said: "We hope the change will allow Hyde to secure the points needed over the remaining six games to stay in the EVO-STIK Premier."

Kelly kicked off his career with Derry before playing in the Football League with Carlisle United. He went on to play for York City, Portadown, Stalybridge Celtic, Garforth Town, Frickley Athletic and Scarborough Athletic before moving into management.

Appointed manager of League One side Oldham Athletic on a two-year contract in May 2015, he left in September after nine games at the helm before taking charge at FC Halifax in October. With only two wins from his ten matches in charge, Kelly left in December to be replaced by his number two, former Morecambe boss Jim Harvey.