George Holley
Encyclopedia
George Holley was an English
professional footballer who spent most of his career as an inside forward
with Sunderland
, helping them claim the Football League
title in 1913
. He was also joint top scorer in the First Division
in 1911–12
and represented England
ten times, scoring eight goals.
, County Durham
and played local football for three different Seaham clubs: Seaham Athletic, Seaham Villa and Wearside League champions Seaham White Star before joining Sunderland
in November 1904. Initially, Holley played in the reserves where he was a regular goal-scorer, although he made a scoring debut in the First Division on 27 December 1904 away to Sheffield Wednesday
. Following the transfer of Alf Common
to Middlesbrough
in February 1905, Holley became a first team regular.
In his first few seasons at Roker Park
he was over-shadowed as a goal-scorer by Arthur Bridgett
, but in 1907–08
he was the club's top-scorer with 24 league goals. On 5 December 1908, Holley scored a hat-trick in a 9–1 victory at St James' Park
over bitter local rivals Newcastle United
, with the other goals coming from Billy Hogg
(another hat-trick), Bridgett (two) and Jackie Mordue
. Sunderland finished the 1908–09 season in third place, with Newcastle champions.
In January 1908 Sunderland had signed Leigh Roose, who was brought in to replace Ned Doig
who had moved to Liverpool
. Holley and Roose soon became close friends.
Holley won his first international cap against Wales
on 15 March 1909, playing on the right alongside his Sunderland team-mate, Arthur Bridgett. His close friend, Leigh Roose, was in goal for Wales but could not stop Holley scoring after 15 minutes as England ran out 2–0 victors. Holley was also selected for the 1909 summer tour of Europe, playing in all three matches, scoring twice in both the 8–2 victory over Hungary
and the 8–1 victory over Austria
. Holley scored five goals in five internationals that season. Surprisingly, he was dropped from the team after failing to score in the first game (against Wales) the following season.
Holley continued to score plenty of goals for Sunderland and ended up as the First Division
joint top scorer in the 1911–12 season
with 25 goals. During this season he scored four goals in a 5–0 defeat of Manchester United
at Roker Park on 27 January 1912, as well as a hat-trick against Everton
. He also won back his place in the England team and scored in all three games he played in the 1912 British Home Championship
.
Sunderland won the Football League First Division championship in the 1912–13 season
. Holley's 12 goals made an important contribution although top-scorer was Charlie Buchan
with 27 goals. Buchan later argued that in a game against Bradford City
on 2 November 1912, Holley's performance was the best he ever saw by an inside-forward. "He scored a magnificent hat-trick, running nearly half the length of the field each time and coolly dribbling the ball round goalkeeper Jock Ewart
before placing it in the net."
Sunderland narrowly missed out on the Double
, losing the FA Cup final
1–0 to Aston Villa
. Holley was not fully fit for the cup final and went into the game with his ankle and knee bandaged.
After the First World War, Holley left Sunderland to play for Brighton & Hove Albion
in July 1919. He was Sunderland's top scorer in five separate seasons and during his time at the club he scored 154 goals in 315 appearances in all competitions. Altogether he scored nine hat-tricks for Sunderland and his scoring record for Sunderland is bettered only by Bobby Gurney
, Charlie Buchan
and Dave Halliday
.
for ten years and then at Barnsley
.
His son, Tom
played as a central defender for Barnsley from 1932 to 1936, and then for Leeds United
from 1936 to 1948.
He died on 27 August 1942.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
professional footballer who spent most of his career as an inside forward
Inside forward
In football, the position of inside forward was popularly used in the late nineteenth and first half of the 20th centuries. The inside forwards would support the centre forwards, running and making space in the opposition defence, and, as the passing game developed, supporting him with passes...
with Sunderland
Sunderland A.F.C.
Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
, helping them claim 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...
title in 1913
1912-13 in English football
The 1912–13 season was the 42nd season of competitive football in England.-Overview:Sunderland won the First Division for the fifth time, with a record of 25–4–9; Aston Villa, finishing second, had fewer defeats, but a lot more draws: 19–12–7....
. He was also joint top scorer 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....
in 1911–12
1911-12 in English football
The 1911–12 season was the 41st season of competitive football in England.-Overview:Blackburn Rovers won the First Division title for the first time....
and represented England
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...
ten times, scoring eight goals.
Sunderland
Holley was born in SeahamSeaham
Seaham, formerly Seaham Harbour, is a small town in County Durham, situated south of Sunderland and east of Durham. It has a small parish church, St Mary the Virgin, with a late 7th century Anglo Saxon nave resembling the church at Escomb in many respects. St Mary the Virgin is regarded as one of...
, County Durham
County Durham
County Durham is a ceremonial county and unitary district in north east England. The county town is Durham. The largest settlement in the ceremonial county is the town of Darlington...
and played local football for three different Seaham clubs: Seaham Athletic, Seaham Villa and Wearside League champions Seaham White Star before joining Sunderland
Sunderland A.F.C.
Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
in November 1904. Initially, Holley played in the reserves where he was a regular goal-scorer, although he made a scoring debut in the First Division on 27 December 1904 away to Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield Wednesday F.C.
Sheffield Wednesday Football Club are a football club based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, who are currently competing in the Football League One in the 2011-12 season, in England. Sheffield Wednesday are one of the oldest professional clubs in the world and the fourth oldest in the...
. Following the transfer of Alf Common
Alf Common
Alf Common was an English footballer who played at inside forward or centre forward. He is most famous for being the first player to be transferred for a fee of £1,000 on his transfer to Middlesbrough from Sunderland in 1905.-Club career:Common played for South Hylton and Jarrow in North East...
to Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough F.C.
Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
in February 1905, Holley became a first team regular.
In his first few seasons at Roker Park
Roker Park
Roker Park was an English football stadium situated in Roker, Sunderland. The stadium was the home of the English football club Sunderland A.F.C. from 1897 to 1997 before the club moved to the Stadium of Light. Near the end of the stadium's history, its capacity was around 22,500 with only a small...
he was over-shadowed as a goal-scorer by Arthur Bridgett
Arthur Bridgett
George Arthur Bridgett was an English footballer who played most of his career, playing at outside left, for Sunderland and also made eleven appearances for England....
, but in 1907–08
1907-08 in English football
The 1907–08 season was the 37th season of competitive football in England. Manchester United were Football League champions for the first time, while Bradford City won the Second Division and Wolverhampton Wanderers won the FA Cup...
he was the club's top-scorer with 24 league goals. On 5 December 1908, Holley scored a hat-trick in a 9–1 victory at St James' Park
St James' Park
St James' Park, known for sponsorship reasons as the Sports Direct Arena, is an all-seater stadium in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. It is the home of Newcastle United Football Club and is the sixth largest football stadium in the United Kingdom with a capacity of between 52,387 and 52,409.St James'...
over bitter local rivals 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...
, with the other goals coming from Billy Hogg
Billy Hogg
William "Billy" Hogg was an English footballer who played at outside right, winning the Football League championship with Sunderland in 1901–02, before moving to Scotland where he won the Scottish League title three times with Rangers...
(another hat-trick), Bridgett (two) and Jackie Mordue
Jackie Mordue
John "Jackie" Mordue was an English footballer who played at outside right, and won the Football League championship with Sunderland in 1912–13 and made two appearances for England.-Early career:...
. Sunderland finished the 1908–09 season in third place, with Newcastle champions.
In January 1908 Sunderland had signed Leigh Roose, who was brought in to replace Ned Doig
Ned Doig
John Edward 'Ned' Doig was a Scottish footballer who played as a goalkeeper. He played the peak of his career for Sunderland, in a famous period of time in the club's history where they were dubbed the 'team of all talents'. Noted for his exceptional performances in goal, he was also famously shy...
who had moved to Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
. Holley and Roose soon became close friends.
Holley won his first international cap against Wales
Wales national football team
The Wales national football team represents Wales in international football. It is controlled by the Football Association of Wales , the governing body for football in Wales, and the third oldest national football association in the world. The team have only qualified for a major international...
on 15 March 1909, playing on the right alongside his Sunderland team-mate, Arthur Bridgett. His close friend, Leigh Roose, was in goal for Wales but could not stop Holley scoring after 15 minutes as England ran out 2–0 victors. Holley was also selected for the 1909 summer tour of Europe, playing in all three matches, scoring twice in both the 8–2 victory over Hungary
Hungary national football team
The Hungary national football team represents Hungary in international football and is controlled by the Hungarian Football Federation....
and the 8–1 victory over Austria
Austria national football team
The Austria national football team is the association football team that represents the country of Austria in international competition and is controlled by the Austrian Football Association ....
. Holley scored five goals in five internationals that season. Surprisingly, he was dropped from the team after failing to score in the first game (against Wales) the following season.
Holley continued to score plenty of goals for Sunderland and ended up as 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....
joint top scorer in the 1911–12 season
1911-12 in English football
The 1911–12 season was the 41st season of competitive football in England.-Overview:Blackburn Rovers won the First Division title for the first time....
with 25 goals. During this season he scored four goals in a 5–0 defeat of Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
at Roker Park on 27 January 1912, as well as a hat-trick against Everton
Everton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
. He also won back his place in the England team and scored in all three games he played in the 1912 British Home Championship
1912 British Home Championship
The 1912 British Home Championship was a football competition played between the British Home Nations during the second half of the 1911–12 season. England and Scotland shared the trophy after both beat Wales and Ireland and then drew the deciding match at Hampden Park. Ireland took third...
.
Sunderland won the Football League First Division championship in the 1912–13 season
1912-13 in English football
The 1912–13 season was the 42nd season of competitive football in England.-Overview:Sunderland won the First Division for the fifth time, with a record of 25–4–9; Aston Villa, finishing second, had fewer defeats, but a lot more draws: 19–12–7....
. Holley's 12 goals made an important contribution although top-scorer was Charlie Buchan
Charlie Buchan
Charles Murray Buchan was an English football player and writer.-Early career:Born in Plumstead, London, Buchan first played as an amateur for local club Woolwich Arsenal, joining the club in December 1909...
with 27 goals. Buchan later argued that in a game against Bradford City
Bradford City A.F.C.
Bradford City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, playing in League Two....
on 2 November 1912, Holley's performance was the best he ever saw by an inside-forward. "He scored a magnificent hat-trick, running nearly half the length of the field each time and coolly dribbling the ball round goalkeeper Jock Ewart
Jock Ewart
John "Jock" Ewart was a Scottish footballer who played professionally as a goalkeeper for Airdrieonians, Bradford City and Preston North End. His playing career was interrupted by the First World War, in which Ewart served. He made one appearance for the Scottish national side, in a 3–0 win...
before placing it in the net."
Sunderland narrowly missed out on the Double
The Double
The Double is a term in association football which refers to winning a country's top tier division and its primary cup competition in the same season...
, losing the FA Cup final
1913 FA Cup Final
The 1913 FA Cup Final was contested by Aston Villa and Sunderland on 19 April 1913 at London's Crystal Palace. Playing as the home side, Aston Villa won 1–0 on a goal by Tommy Barber on a crossed ball from Charlie Wallace...
1–0 to Aston Villa
Aston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
. Holley was not fully fit for the cup final and went into the game with his ankle and knee bandaged.
After the First World War, Holley left Sunderland to play for Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.
Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club are an English association football club based in the coastal city of Brighton & Hove, East Sussex. They currently play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system....
in July 1919. He was Sunderland's top scorer in five separate seasons and during his time at the club he scored 154 goals in 315 appearances in all competitions. Altogether he scored nine hat-tricks for Sunderland and his scoring record for Sunderland is bettered only by Bobby Gurney
Bobby Gurney
Bobby Gurney was a football forward who is the highest goal scorer in the history of his only senior club as a player, Sunderland.-Early years:...
, Charlie Buchan
Charlie Buchan
Charles Murray Buchan was an English football player and writer.-Early career:Born in Plumstead, London, Buchan first played as an amateur for local club Woolwich Arsenal, joining the club in December 1909...
and Dave Halliday
Dave Halliday
David "Dave" Halliday was a Scottish footballing prolific goalscorer and trophy winning manager. His 38 goals in 1923-24 made him top scorer in Scotland's top flight that season and 43 goals in 1928–29 gave him the same distinction in England's top flight that season. He scored 376 senior goals as...
.
Later career
He retired from playing in 1920 and returned to Sunderland in January 1921 for an 18-month spell as coach. He later had spells coaching at Wolverhampton WanderersWolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...
for ten years and then at Barnsley
Barnsley F.C.
Barnsley Football Club are a professional English football club based in the town of Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Nicknamed the Tykes, they were founded in 1887 under the name Barnsley St. Peter's...
.
His son, Tom
Tom Holley
Tom Holley was a professional footballer who played for Sunderland, Barnsley and Leeds United.Born in Wolverhampton, he began his career with Sunderland at the turn of the 1930s, joining Barnsley later in the decade and guesting for Huddersfield Town during World War II...
played as a central defender for Barnsley from 1932 to 1936, and then for Leeds United
Leeds United A.F.C.
Leeds United Association Football Club are an English professional association football club based in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, who play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system...
from 1936 to 1948.
He died on 27 August 1942.
Honours
SunderlandSunderland A.F.C.
Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
- The Football LeagueThe Football LeagueThe 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...
champions: 1912–131912-13 in English footballThe 1912–13 season was the 42nd season of competitive football in England.-Overview:Sunderland won the First Division for the fifth time, with a record of 25–4–9; Aston Villa, finishing second, had fewer defeats, but a lot more draws: 19–12–7.... - FA CupFA CupThe Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
finalist: 19131913 FA Cup FinalThe 1913 FA Cup Final was contested by Aston Villa and Sunderland on 19 April 1913 at London's Crystal Palace. Playing as the home side, Aston Villa won 1–0 on a goal by Tommy Barber on a crossed ball from Charlie Wallace...