Nick Holmes (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Nicholas Charles Holmes (born 11 November 1954) is a retired footballer, who won the FA Cup Final
with Southampton
in 1976 and, from July 2002 to July 2010, was general manager of Salisbury City
.
. A natural left-sided player, he was equally at home at full-back, midfield, centre-back or sweeper. A loyal one-club man, Holmes spent 14 years at The Dell
. David Peach
and he are the only two players to have played in two Cup Finals for Southampton. Naturally left-sided, he could play at left-back or midfield and was a thoughtful, yet thrusting, player who was as reliable as he was skilful.
He played at left-midfield in the 1976 F.A. Cup Final against Manchester United which Saints won 1-0, and also played and scored in the 1979 League Cup
final against Nottingham Forest, which was lost 2-3. Between these two Wembley appearances, he was an integral member of the Southampton team that gained promotion from Division 2 at the end of the 1977-78 season.
An urbane man, he became club captain in March 1980, and on his 400th appearance for the club, Lawrie McMenemy
praised his “reliability, dependability and flexibility”, adding that he was “a man for all seasons”.
Holmes was a constant when Southampton finished second in Division 1 in the 1983-84 season and was part of a midfield that was probably the best in the club's history.
In 1986 (16 August) Saints recognised his loyalty by awarding him a testimonial match against John Mortimore
’s Benfica
, which was won 4-1, with Holmes scoring one of the goals.
International honours eluded Holmes, although he was picked for England under-23 only for injury to prevent him playing.
His last appearance for Southampton was on 14 Feb 1987 at Tottenham Hotspur. A pelvic injury forced him to retire from the game in May 1987, by which time only Terry Paine
and Mick Channon
had made more appearances for the Saints. In total, he played 543 times for Southampton, scoring 64 goals.
, before spending a season as coach back at Southampton working with manager Chris Nicholl
.
In 1989 he quit football and bought a general store at Winterslow
near Salisbury
. In 1999 he emigrated to Florida
to set up a property management company, which he sold in 2004.
Under Holmes’ management, Salisbury gained promotion to the Conference South
in the 2005-06 season by finishing top of the Southern League Premier Division, followed by winning the play-off final in the 2006-07 season to participate in the Conference National
in 2007-08.
In January 2008, following the departure of George Burley
, Holmes was linked with a return to Southampton as manager. Although he was not offered the job, Holmes stated that Southampton was "the only club I'd leave Salisbury for".
Holmes left Salisbury on 14 July 2010 by mutual consent.
FA Cup Final 1976
The 1976 FA Cup Final took place on 1 May 1976 at Wembley Stadium. It was contested between Manchester United and Southampton.United had finished third in the First Division that season, and were strong favourites, while unfancied Southampton had finished sixth in the Second Division...
with Southampton
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
in 1976 and, from July 2002 to July 2010, was general manager of Salisbury City
Salisbury City F.C.
Salisbury City Football Club is an English football club based in Salisbury, Wiltshire currently playing in the Conference South. They were formed in 1947 and play at The Raymond McEnhill Stadium...
.
Southampton
He was an apprentice with Southampton in the early 1970s. He made his first team debut on 2 March 1974 away to ArsenalArsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
. A natural left-sided player, he was equally at home at full-back, midfield, centre-back or sweeper. A loyal one-club man, Holmes spent 14 years at The Dell
The Dell (Southampton F.C.)
The Dell in Milton Road, Southampton, England was the home ground of Southampton Football Club, between 1898 and 2001.-New stadium:Since 1896, Southampton had been tenants of Hampshire County Cricket Club at the County Ground, having vacated the Antelope Ground in the summer of 1896...
. David Peach
David Peach
David Sidney Peach is a former footballer, who played at left back for Southampton in the FA Cup Final 1976.-Chelsea & Gillingham:...
and he are the only two players to have played in two Cup Finals for Southampton. Naturally left-sided, he could play at left-back or midfield and was a thoughtful, yet thrusting, player who was as reliable as he was skilful.
He played at left-midfield in the 1976 F.A. Cup Final against Manchester United which Saints won 1-0, and also played and scored in the 1979 League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
final against Nottingham Forest, which was lost 2-3. Between these two Wembley appearances, he was an integral member of the Southampton team that gained promotion from Division 2 at the end of the 1977-78 season.
An urbane man, he became club captain in March 1980, and on his 400th appearance for the club, Lawrie McMenemy
Lawrie McMenemy
Lawrie McMenemy MBE is a retired English football coach, best known for his spell as manager of Southampton Football Club...
praised his “reliability, dependability and flexibility”, adding that he was “a man for all seasons”.
Holmes was a constant when Southampton finished second in Division 1 in the 1983-84 season and was part of a midfield that was probably the best in the club's history.
In 1986 (16 August) Saints recognised his loyalty by awarding him a testimonial match against John Mortimore
John Mortimore (footballer)
John Mortimore is an English former association football player and manager. He played as a centre half in the Football League for Chelsea, with whom he scored 10 goals from 279 games in all competitions between 1956 and 1965 and won the 1965 Football League Cup, and for Queens Park Rangers...
’s Benfica
SL Benfica
Sport Lisboa e Benfica , commonly known as simply Benfica or occasionally as Benfica Lisbon, is a Portuguese multi-sports club based in Lisbon. Although they successfully compete in a number of different sports, Benfica is mostly known for its association football team...
, which was won 4-1, with Holmes scoring one of the goals.
International honours eluded Holmes, although he was picked for England under-23 only for injury to prevent him playing.
His last appearance for Southampton was on 14 Feb 1987 at Tottenham Hotspur. A pelvic injury forced him to retire from the game in May 1987, by which time only Terry Paine
Terry Paine
Terence Lionel Paine MBE is a former English footballer.Paine made 713 football league appearances for Southampton F.C. and 111 for Hereford United F.C...
and Mick Channon
Mick Channon
Michael Roger "Mick" Channon is a sportsman who enjoyed a career as a striker with Southampton and England in the 1970s and later became a hugely successful racehorse trainer.-Southampton:...
had made more appearances for the Saints. In total, he played 543 times for Southampton, scoring 64 goals.
After Southampton
After leaving Saints he spent the 1987-88 season with East Cowes VicsEast Cowes Victoria Athletic A.F.C.
East Cowes Victoria Athletic AFC are a football club based in East Cowes, Isle of Wight, England. They joined the Wessex League in 1987 and have reached the 2nd round of the FA Vase twice in their history. They are currently members of Wessex League Division One.-History:East Cowes Victoria...
, before spending a season as coach back at Southampton working with manager Chris Nicholl
Chris Nicholl
Christopher John "Chris" Nicholl is an English-born former Northern Ireland international footballer.-Playing career:Nicholl was born in Macclesfield...
.
In 1989 he quit football and bought a general store at Winterslow
Winterslow
Winterslow is a village with a population of around 2,000 people, located about 6 miles North East of Salisbury, Wiltshire, United Kingdom, just off the A30 London Road. It has a primary school, a pre-school group, a village shop and post office, doctor's surgery, two pubs, 5 churches, a large...
near Salisbury
Salisbury
Salisbury is a cathedral city in Wiltshire, England and the only city in the county. It is the second largest settlement in the county...
. In 1999 he emigrated to Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
to set up a property management company, which he sold in 2004.
Salisbury City
In July 2002, he was tempted back into football when he was offered the manager’s job at Salisbury City.Under Holmes’ management, Salisbury gained promotion to the Conference South
Conference South
Conference South is one of the second divisions of the Football Conference in England, taking its place immediately below the Conference National...
in the 2005-06 season by finishing top of the Southern League Premier Division, followed by winning the play-off final in the 2006-07 season to participate in the Conference National
Conference National
Conference National is the top division of the Football Conference in England. It is the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
in 2007-08.
In January 2008, following the departure of George Burley
George Burley
George Elder Burley is a Scottish football manager and former player and manager, formerly the manager of Crystal Palace Football Club. Burley had a professional career spanning 21 years as a player making 628 appearances and earning 11 Scotland caps...
, Holmes was linked with a return to Southampton as manager. Although he was not offered the job, Holmes stated that Southampton was "the only club I'd leave Salisbury for".
Holmes left Salisbury on 14 July 2010 by mutual consent.
As a player
SouthamptonSouthampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
- FA Cup winner 1976FA Cup Final 1976The 1976 FA Cup Final took place on 1 May 1976 at Wembley Stadium. It was contested between Manchester United and Southampton.United had finished third in the First Division that season, and were strong favourites, while unfancied Southampton had finished sixth in the Second Division...
- League Cup Runner Up 1979
- Football League Division 1 Runners-up: 1983-841983-84 in English footballThe 1983–84 season was the 104th season of competitive football in England.- First Division :Liverpool had a great first season under the management of Joe Fagan as they wrapped up their third successive league title and the 15th in their history...
As a manager
- With Salisbury CitySalisbury City F.C.Salisbury City Football Club is an English football club based in Salisbury, Wiltshire currently playing in the Conference South. They were formed in 1947 and play at The Raymond McEnhill Stadium...
- Southern League Premier Division championship 2005-06
- Conference SouthConference SouthConference South is one of the second divisions of the Football Conference in England, taking its place immediately below the Conference National...
play-off champions 2006-07