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

[62eyesofblue]

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

 

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[rob9872]

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]

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

 

[Grendel]

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

 

[Monners]

Larry Lloyd (I think)

 

[skybluesam66]

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

 

[Grendel]

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]

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]

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

Larry Lloyd against Norwich

 

[62eyesofblue]

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]

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

 

[letsallsingtogether]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

 

[jaymo132]

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]

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]

He played for Talbot too

Sent from my EVA-L09 using Tapatalk

 

[Sky Blue Harry H]

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!)