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Post by Dale on Jun 10, 2019 19:07:24 GMT 1
I’m just starting to read the biography of Jim Holton, who I believe is the last (and possibly only?) first team player to transfer from Salop to Man United, does anyone on here have any good memories of him on and off the pitch?
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Post by DiglisShrew on Jun 10, 2019 19:24:43 GMT 1
I’m just starting to read the biography of Jim Holton, who I believe is the last (and possibly only?) first team player to transfer from Salop to Man United, does anyone on here have any good memories of him on and off the pitch? I remember watching him play and he was a favourite of mine at the time I think it he that during a tv match that the commentator remarked as “good centre half there - kicks the way he’s facing “ . I could never work out whether it was meant as a compliment or not !
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Post by Exkeeper on Jun 10, 2019 19:29:14 GMT 1
Six feet two, eyes of blue Big Jim Holton’s after you Da da da da etc
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Post by venceremos on Jun 10, 2019 19:59:16 GMT 1
Six feet two, eyes of blue Big Jim Holton’s after you Da da da da etc That used to be sung on the terraces at Widnes, except it was about Jim Mills, not Jim Holton. Mills was a huge Welsh prop who famously saw the red mist descend quite regularly, at which point he'd just pop one or two on his opponent and take the sending off. I once turned to find him standing just behind me on the terraces, blocking out the sun. Lovely fella though, when he wasn't angry. Afraid to say I remember Jim Holton only once he was at United - in my pre-Salop days. Not the most cultured defender but pretty effective.
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Post by Worthingshrew on Jun 10, 2019 20:19:36 GMT 1
Remember him as rugged, no-nonsense centre half. Not cultured but in those days it didn’t matter as much, but he was effective.
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Post by R6ix on Jun 10, 2019 20:23:46 GMT 1
DIED AGED 42
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Post by Mortgagehound on Jun 10, 2019 21:51:37 GMT 1
A proper no nonsense centre half - old school and more. Came into the side and was an instant hit with me.
Nobody got past Big Jim unscathed.
When he had the ball at his feet and started dribbling towards the halfway line, my heart was in my mouth waiting for him to either trip over it or be dispossessed - funnily it never really happened.
Big Jim used to come down regularly to the Meddah for the Northern Floodlight games and stand on the terrace by the tunnel with Mr Groves- got both their autographs at these games.
Sadly missed
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Post by Exkeeper on Jun 10, 2019 23:12:48 GMT 1
A proper no nonsense centre half - old school and more. Came into the side and was an instant hit with me. Nobody got past Big Jim unscathed. When he had the ball at his feet and started dribbling towards the halfway line, my heart was in my mouth waiting for him to either trip over it or be dispossessed - funnily it never really happened. Big Jim used to come down regularly to the Meddah for the Northern Floodlight games and stand on the terrace by the tunnel with Mr Groves- got both their autographs at these games. Sadly missed So true. Big Jim died at 42 -Groves at just 29. Both from heart related problems. RIP.
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Post by Minormorris64 on Jun 11, 2019 8:49:18 GMT 1
Saw him in my first Season 1971-72, in however many games, went every Home game after Swansea (5/11/71)
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Post by tdk on Jun 11, 2019 16:15:40 GMT 1
A forward rarely got past him, was stopped legally or illegally. Great in the air
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Post by thesensationaljt on Jun 11, 2019 22:47:19 GMT 1
We were never going to keep big Jim. Absolute powerhouse. I believe we got 80 grand for him.
Peanuts really, but I didn't begrudge him his big chance. So sorry it ended in tragedy.
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Post by cheggersdrinkspop on Jun 11, 2019 23:25:18 GMT 1
Remember we were going to play Bury away one wintry Saturday and it was called off due to poor weather, so diverted down to St Andrew's to take in Birmingham v Sunderland. What a battle that was with Kenny Burns against big Jim Holton, now "thats what I call football" two real competitors giving nothing and fighting for everything and not a bit of Scottish compatrism in sight.
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Post by quinnster on Jun 12, 2019 20:31:09 GMT 1
That was possible back then Div 3 player going straight to Div 1, & ManUtd..omg.., we were starting to struggle then, relegated later, think Graham was brought in to replace him, what history, and Jim playing for Scotland in the World cup '74. England didn't make it thanks to Poland..urrggghhh. Saw him when I had a birthday trip to OT, Jim playing v Derby , and he was popular up there. I felt honoured as a Shrews lad to be watching . Derby won.
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markshrews65
Midland League Division Two
Free to a Good Home
Posts: 204
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Post by markshrews65 on Jun 13, 2019 9:10:43 GMT 1
I’m just starting to read the biography of Jim Holton, who I believe is the last (and possibly only?) first team player to transfer from Salop to Man United, does anyone on here have any good memories of him on and off the pitch? I lived next door to him in Bayston Hill in the early/mid 70s .. remember kicking a ball with him on the drive !! Really nice fella !!
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