SCOTTISH forward Kevin Kelbie is to end his stay at Ballymena United after five seasons, following the news that he will not be offered a new contract.

Arriving as a virtual unknown, he leaves with 75 goals in 181 appearances and regarded as arguably the one of the best United players over the past decade.

Formerly a youth team player at Celtic, Rangers and Alloa in his native Scotland, he appeared at Glentoran in the summer of 2005, following a move to the province for work. Despite signings for Roy Coyle’s side, he was allowed to join Tommy Wright’s new-look Ballymena team in August 2005.

Despite scoring a last minute winner on his full-debut against Glenavon, it would take Kevin months to find his feet as injury and illness prevented his progress. Another late winner, this time against Glentoran in December 2005 sparked off his Ballymena United career which only went from strength to strength.

Kelbie finished as leading goalscorer in four of his five seasons at Warden Street, which led to continued speculation of interest from other sides, including a £40,000 offer from Linfield in August 2009. During the 2007/2008 season Kelbie was forced to move home to Scotland and would spend the remainder of his contract flying over on weekends and training with local side Stirling Albion.

With Roy Walker plagued by financial restrictions and his desire to have his players within a designated radius for continuity purposes, the tough decision was taken to release his top goalscorer.