Kelso played just one game for Liverpool Football Club in the club's inaugural season on 24 September 1892 against Bury. Liverpool won 4-0. The right-half was a promising player and Field Sport gave this account of him in 1892: "Young Kelso is as like his older brother, Bob, in play as he is in features, and great things are expected from him." His brother, Bob, was a famous footballer with Renton, Everton and Dundee. James returned to Renton after just one season at Liverpool. On 25 July 1900 James and family had just returned home to Renton from a holiday at the Isle of Man. James, who had always had a steady job and never had a drinking problem according to the media, seemed in good spirits. Shortly after their arrival he committed suicide by cutting his throat, only 31 years old.