John Holt (footballer)
Encyclopedia
John Holt is a Scottish
footballer who played as a full-back, most prominently for Dundee United
.
and Andy Gray, and made regular appearances in midfield or defence for the club until 1987, when he left for Dunfermline. A playing spell at Dundee
followed, before player/manager spells with Forfar Athletic
, Deveronvale
and Montrose
. Holt returned to United and Tannadice
in the mid 1990s and spent several years in many coaching roles, before leaving in 2003 when Ian McCall
was appointed Dundee United manager. He went on to become a scout for Celtic
, operating in the Dundee area, before joining Dundee as youth development coach. Referred to by some fans as "Yosser" Holt, after hard man Yosser Hughes from the BBC's "Boys from the Black Stuff" mini series (1982), opponents feared Holt as he prowled around in midfield or gave opposition wingers a torrid time as a full back. But he was also a player blessed with tremendous ability; he was the man of the match at the Nou Camp in the UEFA Cup quarter final in 1987, shortly before his departure from Tannadice, as Dundee United beat Barcelona 2-1 on the night and 3-1 on aggregate to attain a 100% competitive record against the Catalan giants.
Runner-up: 1
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
footballer who played as a full-back, most prominently for Dundee United
Dundee United F.C.
Dundee United Football Club is a Scottish professional football club located in the city of Dundee. Formed in 1909, originally as Dundee Hibernian, the club changed to the present name in 1923...
.
Career
Dundee-born Holt played his part in all of Dundee United's successes in the 1980s, breaking into the first team in 1974 along with the likes of David NareyDavid Narey
David 'Sash' Alan Narey, MBE is a former Scottish international footballer, who spent 21 years with Dundee United, coinciding with United's most successful era, under the management of Jim McLean. Many considered Narey to be the most naturally talented member of the side during these years...
and Andy Gray, and made regular appearances in midfield or defence for the club until 1987, when he left for Dunfermline. A playing spell at Dundee
Dundee F.C.
Dundee Football Club, founded in 1893, are a football club based in the city of Dundee, Scotland. They are nicknamed The Dee or The Dark Blues and play their home matches at Dens Park. Their shirt colour is dark blue. Dundee currently play in the Scottish First Division, having been relegated from...
followed, before player/manager spells with Forfar Athletic
Forfar Athletic F.C.
Forfar Athletic Football Club are a Scottish semi-professional football club from the town of Forfar, Angus. They are members of the Scottish Football League and currently play in the Second Division...
, Deveronvale
Deveronvale F.C.
Deveronvale F.C. are senior football club currently playing the Highland Football League in Scotland. They were founded in 1938 and play their football at the Princess Royal Park in the town of Banff, , Scotland. The club was formed in 1938 when Deveron Valley and Banff Rovers joined together...
and Montrose
Montrose F.C.
Montrose Football Club is a Scottish semi-professional football team, based in the town of Montrose, Angus. They are members of the Scottish Football League and currently play in the Third Division.- Early years :...
. Holt returned to United and Tannadice
Tannadice Park
Tannadice Park, usually referred to as Tannadice, is a football stadium located on Tannadice Street in the Scottish city of Dundee. The stadium is home of Dundee United F.C. and has a capacity of 14,209.-Early days :...
in the mid 1990s and spent several years in many coaching roles, before leaving in 2003 when Ian McCall
Ian McCall
Ian Holland McCall is a Scottish former footballer and is currently without a job having resigned as the manager of First Division side Partick Thistle.-Playing career:...
was appointed Dundee United manager. He went on to become a scout for Celtic
Celtic F.C.
Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
, operating in the Dundee area, before joining Dundee as youth development coach. Referred to by some fans as "Yosser" Holt, after hard man Yosser Hughes from the BBC's "Boys from the Black Stuff" mini series (1982), opponents feared Holt as he prowled around in midfield or gave opposition wingers a torrid time as a full back. But he was also a player blessed with tremendous ability; he was the man of the match at the Nou Camp in the UEFA Cup quarter final in 1987, shortly before his departure from Tannadice, as Dundee United beat Barcelona 2-1 on the night and 3-1 on aggregate to attain a 100% competitive record against the Catalan giants.
Honours
UEFA CupUEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
Runner-up: 1
-
- 1986–871986-87 in Scottish footballThe 1986–87 season was the 90th season of competitive football in Scotland.-Notable events:In the first full season under the management of player-manager Graeme Souness, Rangers won their first league title since 1978, and also won the League Cup....
Premier DivisionScottish Premier LeagueThe Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
: 1 - 1982–831983-84 in Scottish footballThe 1983–84 season was the 87th season of competitive football in Scotland.-Scottish Premier Division:Champions: AberdeenRelegated: St...
Scottish CupScottish CupThe Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup,, commonly known as the Scottish Cup or the William Hill Scottish Cup for sponsorship purposes, is the main national cup competition in Scottish football. It is a knockout cup competition run by and named after the Scottish Football Association.The...
Runner-up: 3 - 1980–811980-81 in Scottish footballThe 1980-81 season was the 84th season of competitive football in Scotland.-Scottish Premier Division:Champions: CelticRelegated: Kilmarnock, Hearts-Scottish League Division One:Promoted: Hibernian, Dundee...
, 1984–851984-85 in Scottish footballThe 1984–85 season was the 88th season of competitive football in Scotland. This is the last time a non Old Firm club has won the Scottish Premier title.-Scottish Premier Division:Champions: AberdeenRelegated: Dumbarton, Morton....
, 1986–871986-87 in Scottish footballThe 1986–87 season was the 90th season of competitive football in Scotland.-Notable events:In the first full season under the management of player-manager Graeme Souness, Rangers won their first league title since 1978, and also won the League Cup....
League CupScottish League CupThe Scottish League Cup is a football competition open to all Scottish Football League and Scottish Premier League clubs. At present it is also known as the Scottish Communities League Cup owing to the sponsorship deal in place with the Scottish Government. In the past it has been sponsored by...
: 2 - 1979–801979-80 in Scottish footballThe 1979–80 season was the 83rd season of competitive football in Scotland.-Scottish Premier Division:Champions: AberdeenRelegated: Dundee, Hibernian-Scottish League Division One:Promoted: Hearts, Airdrieonians...
, 1980–811980-81 in Scottish footballThe 1980-81 season was the 84th season of competitive football in Scotland.-Scottish Premier Division:Champions: CelticRelegated: Kilmarnock, Hearts-Scottish League Division One:Promoted: Hibernian, Dundee...
League CupScottish League CupThe Scottish League Cup is a football competition open to all Scottish Football League and Scottish Premier League clubs. At present it is also known as the Scottish Communities League Cup owing to the sponsorship deal in place with the Scottish Government. In the past it has been sponsored by...
Runner-up: 1 - 1981–821981-82 in Scottish footballThe 1981–82 season was the 85th season of Scottish league football.-Scottish Premier Division:Champions: CelticRelegated: Partick Thistle, Airdrieonians-Scottish League Division One:Promoted: Motherwell, Kilmarnock...
, 1984–851984-85 in Scottish footballThe 1984–85 season was the 88th season of competitive football in Scotland. This is the last time a non Old Firm club has won the Scottish Premier title.-Scottish Premier Division:Champions: AberdeenRelegated: Dumbarton, Morton....
- 1986–87