Harold Holt joined Exeter City from Bolton Wanderers and played in the Southern League for the club between 1913 and 1915. A member of the team which toured Argentina and Brazil in 1914, he later guested for Manchester United after the suspension of official football in 1915.

Starting at Lever Bridge Amateurs, he had an unsuccessful trial with Bolton Wanderers in 1908 before moving on to play for Lever Bridge Amateurs, Atherton and Little Lever Lads Club. Trying his luck in the professional game again he failed to secure a contract with Norwich City before, after eighteen months with Walkden Central, finally getting his chance with Bolton Wanderers in February 1913.

His time at Burnden Park was to be short-lived as he was soon on the move to Exeter City. Arriving at St James’ Park aged twenty-two, he made his Grecians debut in a Southern League fixture at Gillingham on 18 October 1913. After that he never looked back and was a virtual ever-present for the rest of the season as he scored three goals from 30 starts. 

Touring Argentina and Brazil in 1914 he appeared against Brazil in Rio before appearing in all 38 league games during 1914/15 when he scored on four occasions.

Heading back to Lancashire on the suspension of football for the duration of the war, he made guest appearances for Manchester United, Rochdale and a number of other clubs.