Holland Tom Image 1 Exeter City 1928

Description

Sheffield born goalkeeper Tom Holland was playing in junior football in Rotherham when he signed for Midland League club Rotherham Town halfway through the 1923-24 season. He was then signed by Third Division (South) club Doncaster Rovers in the summer of 1925, making his Football League debut against Crewe Alexandra that August, but after one more match for Rovers a week later he joined Southern League club Weymouth that autumn, staying with them for two seasons. He also had a one month trial with Middlesbrough.

Signing for Exeter City in the summer of 1927, he made his League debut for The Grecians in a 3-2 home win over Southend United in September 1927 but initially shared the first team goalkeeping duties with Thomas Wainwright and James Campbell. However when Jack Alderson was signed in 1929 he lost his place and played only 5 more matches for Exeter City before a transfer to Watford after 69 appearances for Exeter City.

Holland had two seasons as the principal custodian at Watford, making 73 appearances for The Hornets and was in goal as they reached the 1932 FA Cup quarter final, where they lost to eventual winners Newcastle United at St James’ Park. In June 1932 he transferred to Gillingham, where he was ever present in their 1932-33 campaign, missing only one match the following season, and he continued as their principal glovesman until he lost his place to Dave Whitelaw in September 1935, making only 5 more appearances later in the season before a transfer to non league Aylesford Paper Mills in the summer of 1936 after 126 appearances for Gillingham. He later returned to Weymouth in 1936, his final recorded club before his eventual retirement.