Tom Holford
Encyclopedia
Thomas Holford (28 January 1878 – 6 April 1964) was an English
footballer who played for Stoke
, Manchester City
, Port Vale
and the England national team
. His primary position was wing-half
, but over the course of his career he played in many different positions. He later managed Port Vale on two separate occasions, serving throughout World War I
, before a three year spell from 1932 to 1935. He also served the club for many years as a trainer and a scout. In 1924 he turned out for the Vale at the age of 46 years and 68 days, making him one of the oldest ever players in the Football League
. He was a cousin
of Wilf Kirkham
.
; Stoke
.
For ten seasons Holford was an ever present in the Stoke team however it did take him three seasons to become a regular. His good performances won him an England cap in 1903 and he is considered the smallest Centre-back ever to play for England at just 5 ft 5. During Holfords time at Stoke became known as 'Dirty Tommy' as he played the game in a fiery style however he was never sent-off.
Holford's manager Horace Austerberry
described him as "an excellent passer of the ball and one who played every match as if it was his last". In 1908 Stoke went bust and dropped out of the Football League
and played in the Birmingham League. Holford was too good to be lost to non-league football and so he had to leave his home town club, who he played nearly 270 games for.
Manchester City
, making his debut on 21 April against Bristol City
, a match which finished goalless. In his first full season at the club he made 27 appearances and was the club's second highest goalscorer with 15 goals, which included three hat-trick
s. However, Manchester City finished second-bottom in the First Division
, and Holford again suffered relegation. In the 1909–10 season Holford won a Second Division championship medal as his club made an immediate return to the top flight. Though he had been an ever-present in 1912–13, Holford lost his place in the first team in the 1913–14 season, making all but three of his 15 appearances in the first ten weeks of the season. He made his last appearance for Manchester City on 13 April 1914 against Newcastle United
, giving him a final total of 183 appearances and 38 goals for the club.
back in the Potteries
as player-manager. He led the side to North Staffordshire Infirmary Cup victory in 1915, but two years later was conscripted into the army. After playing his part in World War I
, as well as guesting for Nottingham Forest
he returned to Vale in the summer of 1919. Regaining his place, he helped the club to win the Staffordshire Senior Cup
and share the North Staffordshire Infirmary Cup in 1920. Due to his age he hardly played after October 1920, but played his part in the club's 1922 North Staffordshire Infirmary Cup achievement.
He retired as a player at the end of the 1922–23 season
. Over his full career Holford played 474 league games, an exceptionally large number for the period, he had played everywhere except in goal. Upon his retirement he became a trainer for Port Vale, only to make his final appearance on 5 April 1924 at a club record age of 46 years and 68 days. At the time this also made him the second-oldest to play in the Football League, after Billy Meredith
, and as of 2008 he is the sixth oldest Football League player of all time.
cap
on 14 February 1903, in a 4–0 win over Ireland at Molineux
.
. He retired as a scout in 1950, having also been a trainer at the club from July 1939 to July 1946.
with Port Vale
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
footballer who played for Stoke
Stoke City F.C.
Stoke City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire that plays in the Premier League. Founded in 1863, it is the oldest club in the Premier League, and considered to be the second oldest professional football club in the world, after Notts...
, Manchester City
Manchester City F.C.
Manchester City Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Manchester. Founded in 1880 as St. Mark's , they became Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887 and Manchester City in 1894...
, Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
and the England national team
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
. His primary position was wing-half
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
, but over the course of his career he played in many different positions. He later managed Port Vale on two separate occasions, serving throughout World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, before a three year spell from 1932 to 1935. He also served the club for many years as a trainer and a scout. In 1924 he turned out for the Vale at the age of 46 years and 68 days, making him one of the oldest ever players in the Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
. He was a cousin
Cousin
In kinship terminology, a cousin is a relative with whom one shares one or more common ancestors. The term is rarely used when referring to a relative in one's immediate family where there is a more specific term . The term "blood relative" can be used synonymously and establishes the existence of...
of Wilf Kirkham
Wilf Kirkham
Wilfred Thomas "Wilf" Kirkham was a Port Vale football player who scored a record 164 goals in 276 Vale appearances, including a record 38 goals in one season...
.
Stoke
Holford was born in Hanley, and started his career with Cobridge before moving on to one of the two local league clubsPotteries derby
The Potteries derby is the football local derby in Stoke-on-Trent between Port Vale and Stoke City. The fans of each club both consider the other to be their main rivals; this has led to a heated atmosphere at these matches, especially with the rise of football hooliganism and the 'Naughty Forty'...
; Stoke
Stoke City F.C.
Stoke City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire that plays in the Premier League. Founded in 1863, it is the oldest club in the Premier League, and considered to be the second oldest professional football club in the world, after Notts...
.
For ten seasons Holford was an ever present in the Stoke team however it did take him three seasons to become a regular. His good performances won him an England cap in 1903 and he is considered the smallest Centre-back ever to play for England at just 5 ft 5. During Holfords time at Stoke became known as 'Dirty Tommy' as he played the game in a fiery style however he was never sent-off.
Holford's manager Horace Austerberry
Horace Austerberry
Horace Denham Austerberry was an English association football manager.-Biography:Austerberry was born in Hanley, Staffordshire in 1868 and died in 1946.-Career:Austerberry managed Stoke City from 1897 to 1908....
described him as "an excellent passer of the ball and one who played every match as if it was his last". In 1908 Stoke went bust and dropped out of the Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
and played in the Birmingham League. Holford was too good to be lost to non-league football and so he had to leave his home town club, who he played nearly 270 games for.
Manchester City
In April 1908 he signed for First DivisionFootball League First Division
The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
Manchester City
Manchester City F.C.
Manchester City Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Manchester. Founded in 1880 as St. Mark's , they became Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887 and Manchester City in 1894...
, making his debut on 21 April against Bristol City
Bristol City F.C.
Bristol City Football Club is one of two football league clubs in Bristol, England . They play at Ashton Gate, located in the south-west of the City...
, a match which finished goalless. In his first full season at the club he made 27 appearances and was the club's second highest goalscorer with 15 goals, which included three hat-trick
Hat-trick
A hat-trick or hat trick in sport is the achievement of a positive feat three times during a game, or other achievements based on threes. The term was first used in 1858 in cricket to describe HH Stephenson's feat of taking three wickets in three balls. A collection was held for Stephenson, and he...
s. However, Manchester City finished second-bottom in the First Division
Football League First Division
The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
, and Holford again suffered relegation. In the 1909–10 season Holford won a Second Division championship medal as his club made an immediate return to the top flight. Though he had been an ever-present in 1912–13, Holford lost his place in the first team in the 1913–14 season, making all but three of his 15 appearances in the first ten weeks of the season. He made his last appearance for Manchester City on 13 April 1914 against Newcastle United
Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
, giving him a final total of 183 appearances and 38 goals for the club.
Port Vale
Upon leaving Manchester he was joined Port ValePort Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
back in the Potteries
The Potteries Urban Area
The Potteries Urban Area is a conurbation in North Staffordshire in the West Midlands region of England.It includes the city of Stoke-on-Trent, and the towns of Newcastle-under-Lyme and Kidsgrove....
as player-manager. He led the side to North Staffordshire Infirmary Cup victory in 1915, but two years later was conscripted into the army. After playing his part in World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, as well as guesting for Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest F.C.
Nottingham Forest Football Club is an English Association Football club based in West Bridgford, Nottingham, that plays in the Football League Championship...
he returned to Vale in the summer of 1919. Regaining his place, he helped the club to win the Staffordshire Senior Cup
Staffordshire Senior Cup
The Staffordshire Senior Challenge Cup is a football cup tournament based in the county of Staffordshire in England first competed for in 1877-78. Organised by the Staffordshire Football Association, it is competed for by a mix of clubs from Staffordshire and the surrounding areas. Both...
and share the North Staffordshire Infirmary Cup in 1920. Due to his age he hardly played after October 1920, but played his part in the club's 1922 North Staffordshire Infirmary Cup achievement.
He retired as a player at the end of the 1922–23 season
1922–23 Port Vale F.C. season
The 1922–23 season was Port Vale's fourth consecutive season of football in the Football League. For the third successive the season the club finished just out of the relegation zones, and for the second successive season were unable to find a regular goalscorer following the sale of Bobby Blood...
. Over his full career Holford played 474 league games, an exceptionally large number for the period, he had played everywhere except in goal. Upon his retirement he became a trainer for Port Vale, only to make his final appearance on 5 April 1924 at a club record age of 46 years and 68 days. At the time this also made him the second-oldest to play in the Football League, after Billy Meredith
Billy Meredith
William Henry "Billy" Meredith was a Welsh footballer. He was considered one of the early superstars of football due to his performances, notably for Manchester City and Manchester United. He won each domestic trophy in the English football league and also gained 48 caps for Wales, for whom he...
, and as of 2008 he is the sixth oldest Football League player of all time.
International career
He won his only EnglandEngland national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
cap
Cap (sport)
In sports, a cap is a metaphorical term for a player's appearance on a select team, such as a national team. The term dates from the practice in the United Kingdom of awarding a cap to every player in an international match of association football...
on 14 February 1903, in a 4–0 win over Ireland at Molineux
Molineux stadium
Molineux Stadium is a Premier League football stadium situated in Whitmore Reans, Wolverhampton, England. It has been the home ground of Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club since 1889, and has a long and illustrious history as the first 'new build' stadium in Football League history, one of the...
.
Managerial career
He had two spells as manager of Port Vale, the first as player-manager from 1914 to 1918 when he was player-manager. His second appointment came in June 1932, though he was relieved of this post in September 1935 so that he could concentrate his efforts on scoutingScout (sport)
In professional sports, scouts are trained talent evaluators who travel extensively for the purposes of watching athletes play their chosen sports and determining whether their set of skills and talents represent what is needed by the scout's organization...
. He retired as a scout in 1950, having also been a trainer at the club from July 1939 to July 1946.
Career statistics
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | Total | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Stoke Stoke City F.C. Stoke City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire that plays in the Premier League. Founded in 1863, it is the oldest club in the Premier League, and considered to be the second oldest professional football club in the world, after Notts... |
1898–99 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| 1899–1900 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 1 | |
| 1900–01 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 0 | |
| 1901–02 | 29 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 33 | 3 | |
| 1902–03 | 33 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 37 | 2 | |
| 1903–04 | 34 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 35 | 3 | |
| 1904–05 | 34 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 36 | 2 | |
| 1905–06 | 36 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 38 | 2 | |
| 1906–07 | 35 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 36 | 5 | |
| 1907–08 | 29 | 12 | 6 | 3 | 35 | 15 | |
| Total | 248 | 30 | 21 | 3 | 269 | 33 | |
| Manchester City Manchester City F.C. Manchester City Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Manchester. Founded in 1880 as St. Mark's , they became Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887 and Manchester City in 1894... |
1907–08 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 1908–09 | 26 | 12 | 1 | 3 | 17 | 15 | |
| 1909–10 | 30 | 12 | 4 | 1 | 34 | 13 | |
| 1910–11 | 29 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 31 | 2 | |
| 1911–12 | 32 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 34 | 2 | |
| 1912–13 | 38 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 40 | 0 | |
| 1913–14 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 0 | |
| Total | 172 | 34 | 11 | 4 | 183 | 38 | |
| Port Vale Port Vale F.C. Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as... |
1919–20 1919–20 Port Vale F.C. season The 1919–20 season was Port Vale's first season of football back in the Football League . It was their first Football League season at The Old Recreation Ground, and their first season in which they were in the same division as rivals Stoke... |
26 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 26 | 0 |
| 1920–21 1920–21 Port Vale F.C. season The 1920–21 season was Port Vale's second consecutive season of football in the Football League. The season peaked early with a double victory in the league over rivals Stoke, however any sense of euphoria evaporated in February with the sale of star striker Bobby Blood. The club failed to find... |
23 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 24 | 1 | |
| 1921–22 1921–22 Port Vale F.C. season The 1921–22 season was Port Vale's third consecutive season of football in the Football League. Another difficult season, both on and off the pitch, the club finished with 36 points for the second season in a row... |
5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 1 | |
| Total | 54 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 56 | 1 | |
| Career Total | 474 | 65 | 34 | 7 | 508 | 72 | |
as a Player
with Manchester City- Football League Second DivisionFootball League Second DivisionFrom 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
champion: 1909–10
with Port Vale
- North Staffordshire Infirmary Cup winner: 1920 (shared) & 1922 (shared)
- Staffordshire Senior CupStaffordshire Senior CupThe Staffordshire Senior Challenge Cup is a football cup tournament based in the county of Staffordshire in England first competed for in 1877-78. Organised by the Staffordshire Football Association, it is competed for by a mix of clubs from Staffordshire and the surrounding areas. Both...
winner: 1920