He joined the Tigers in 1992 as a 21-year-old and was taken under the wing of experienced senior players during a pre-season tour of South Africa before rugby union was to go professional. After balancing his job as a construction worker with his burgeoning career with Tigers, he was offered a three-year contract with the side when the game went pro after the success of the 1995 World Cup.
Over the next decade he would form a crucial part of the Tigers’ squad, helping them to a period of unprecedented success. In this time, Tigers would win nine trophies in ten years and become one of the most feared teams in rugby union. Despite battling a shoulder injury, he would make 145 appearances in the positions of loosehead and tighthead prop. In the 1998-99 season he would make the most appearances for the side, with 35, helping Leicester Tigers to win the Premiership title.
Dean Richards would join as Director of Rugby in 1998, ushering in a golden age. They would go on to win four Premiership titles in succession between 1999 and 2002, as well as back to back Heineken Cups in 2001 and 2002. After a loan spell at Wakefield in the 2002-03 season, Jelley joined Rotherham Titans following their promotion to the Premiership. But in his first game for the club, he would suffer a career ending shoulder injury and subsequently retired.
Since hanging up his boots, Jelley has become a member of the corporate team at Tigers, playing host to the Executive 1886 Suite since 2004. His experiences in rugby have made him one of the most entertaining after dinner speakers from the game, prompting sports clubs, associations and corporations to book his services for various events.
A charming and humorous personality, able to engage audiences with stories of his success in the game, as well as discuss topics that are in-demand at corporate events, such as overcoming adversity and drive and determination – Derek Jelley is a renowned motivational speaker.
