Kelso was born in Cardross, Dunbartonshire, and began his football career with Renton where he won the Scottish Cup in 1885 and 1888 and played on the losing side in the 1886 final.
He made his Everton and Football League debut on 19 January 1889 at Anfield, Liverpool against "The Invincibles", Preston North End.
In front of 15,000 fans Everton played well but Preston scored two late goals and looked the better side at the end of the game.
[2] With Preston he won the English league championship in 1889–90 before moving back to Everton in 1891 where he played in the 1893 FA Cup Final.
[6] Kelso was described as a player who was difficult to get past, caught the eye with his powerful and timely tackling, and was always clearing the ball well while specialising in long-range dipping shots at goal.