Jim Holton: 6ft 2 eyes of blue (1 Viewer)

62eyesofblue · Feb 14, 2017

Hi, I am an author working on a biography of the late, great Jim Holton - to be published in 2018 to coincide with the 25th anniversary of his tragic death.
I want to include as many memories as I can from fans and ex team-mates as possible, so here's your chance to have some input about Big Jim's time at Highfield Road, and also his days as a landlord in Coventry after he hung up his boots.
You can message me directly, post your memories here, and also follow the book on twitter @62eyesofblue

rob9872 · Feb 14, 2017

6ft 2 Eyes of Blue, big Jim Holton's after you! One of my first City T-shirts - was a 'hand me down' from my cousin.

olderskyblue · Feb 14, 2017

He was a horrible, nasty, dirty defender....until he played for us. Then we saw just how good he was

Grendel · Feb 14, 2017

Didnt he score a goal from his own half once or was that Larry Lloyd?

Monners · Feb 14, 2017

Larry Lloyd (I think)

skybluesam66 · Feb 14, 2017

i played for his pub darts team the night of harry roberts testimonial
I think my 3 dart average was about 5

Grendel · Feb 14, 2017

Yes it was Lloyd

Anyway Holton was a big charismatic figure who was part of arguably the most successful CCFC team of all time.

He was a big commanding centre half who I assume was partnered by the skillful Garry Gillespie. They made for a strong partnership and as I say was part of simething of a revolution at the club as the team. We were a free flowing attacking team that gave the defence little cover from midfield.

Now we argue about the relative merits of someone called Turnbull and someone else called Rawson. How times change

rupert_bear · Feb 14, 2017

Top player who we all hated when he was at Manchester United but instantly changed our minds when he signed fr us. His headstone is just off the main path at Canley Crem just in front of my parents so they are well protected. When I go I always stand look and remember him.
Also remember he was an absolute god at United

Colin Steins Smile · Feb 14, 2017

Grendel said:
Didnt he score a goal from his own half once or was that Larry Lloyd?

Larry Lloyd against Norwich

62eyesofblue · Feb 14, 2017

Thanks for the replies and please keep them coming. The stats suggest he didn't score for Coventry, but he did his main job well - defending and stopping opponents. He also wore that brown away strip well

Captain Dart · Feb 14, 2017

Coventry Tel did some articles, some good photos
Look: Memories of Sky Blues giant Jim Holton

letsallsingtogether · Feb 14, 2017

Grendel said:
Yes it was Lloyd

Anyway Holton was a big charismatic figure who was part of arguably the most successful CCFC team of all time.

He was a big commanding centre half who I assume was partnered by the skillful Garry Gillespie. They made for a strong partnership and as I say was part of simething of a revolution at the club as the team. We were a free flowing attacking team that gave the defence little cover from midfield.

Now we argue about the relative merits of someone called Turnbull and someone else called Rawson. How times change

Have to agree with all of that.
Nearly want to cry thinking of it.
The great Highfield road on a cold saturday watching those players just glee.
Remember going into the Rising Sun and he was there my hero serving me......

Irish Sky Blue · Feb 14, 2017

I used to play for City Supporters on a Sunday. When Jim finished playing professionally he played for a local Sunday team, can't remember who. I do remember playing for the Suppoerters Club against Jim and his team on Cardinal Wiseman School playing field. I played at full back and I remember overlapping down the wing and being absolutely wiped out by Jim who completely Scythed my legs from under me. No Malice though as he had a big toothless grin on his face as he picked me up.
He played centre half in my favourite ever City team, a team that played non stop attacking football and which relied on Holton a great deal as he and Mick Coop (playing at centre half) were along with Jim Blythe in goal, virtually the only defenders, the full backs constantly bombing forward too.

letsallsingtogether · Feb 14, 2017

Irish Sky Blue said:
I used to play for City Supporters on a Sunday. When Jim finished playing professionally he played for a local Sunday team, can't remember who. I do remember playing for the Suppoerters Club against Jim and his team on Cardinal Wiseman School playing field. I played at full back and I remember overlapping down the wing and being absolutely wiped out by Jim who completely Scythed my legs from under me. No Malice though as he had a big toothless grin on his face as he picked me up.
He played centre half in my favourite ever City team, a team that played non stop attacking football and which relied on Holton a great deal as he and Mick Coop (playing at centre half) were along with Jim Blythe in goal, virtually the only defenders, the full backs constantly bombing forward too.

Mick Coop another Hero.

turbosnail · Feb 15, 2017

The game at home to bristol city to stay up,we had big jim they hsd norman hunter,corner to them i think and as the ball comes over big jim stands on hunters foot and brings his shoulder up under hunters chin...result?....hunter laid out on the floor requiring treatment! Lol

Gazolba · Feb 15, 2017

Wikipedia says 6' 1" but that doesn't rhyme.

jaymo132 · Feb 15, 2017

Irish Sky Blue said:
I used to play for City Supporters on a Sunday. When Jim finished playing professionally he played for a local Sunday team, can't remember who. I do remember playing for the Suppoerters Club against Jim and his team on Cardinal Wiseman School playing field. I played at full back and I remember overlapping down the wing and being absolutely wiped out by Jim who completely Scythed my legs from under me. No Malice though as he had a big toothless grin on his face as he picked me up.
He played centre half in my favourite ever City team, a team that played non stop attacking football and which relied on Holton a great deal as he and Mick Coop (playing at centre half) were along with Jim Blythe in goal, virtually the only defenders, the full backs constantly bombing forward too.

Big Jim played for Finham park rangers ..circa 1988_ish

oscillatewildly · Feb 15, 2017

A couple of my mates were bar staff in both his pubs - Rising Sun & Stag late '80's/early '90's. By their accounts he was a very generous bloke. I remember whenever we played Man. U at home, Utd fans would flock to the Rising Sun, partly out of reverence but also on the off chance of a match ticket as he'd normally have a few comps.

SkyBlueBlood · Feb 16, 2017

He played for Talbot too

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Sky Blue Harry H · Feb 17, 2017

Remember a game on the TV where Ian Wallace had fouled an opponent and the play er made a bee line for Wallace, as if to chin him. Before he got there, a long arm appeared from the side of the TV and stopped him in his tracks (a bit like a car park barrier). Camera them focuses on Big Jim. Hopefully somebody may recall the game.One of my favourite memories of a City player standing up to an opponent, although still outdone by Donal Murphy kicking Kenny Burns in the nuts against Birmingham at Highfield Road (comedy gold!)

Jim Holton: 6ft 2 eyes of blue (1 Viewer)

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