9th June 1891

Bolton, England

Winger

Harold was born in, Little Lever Bolton around 1891.

Harry Holt was a multi-talented sportsman with Exeter City when he joined Manchester United during the 1915 close-season. He was expected to be the replacement for Billy Meredith, who had begun a long period of ‘guesting’ for Manchester City during the war. Unfortunately, Harry managed just the one appearance in United’s colours, against Oldham Athletic in the opening match of the season on 4^th September 1915. The Manchester Football News declared that they were “…disappointed…” with both Holt’s and some of his team-mates’ performances in the 2-3 defeat at Boundary Park.

Harold then disappears from United’s records, but re-appears first with Walkden Central and then with Rochdale, playing against United on 13^th November 1915. The Manchester Football News noted that “…Holt would probably never have left Old Trafford for Rochdale could he have been assured of a regular position.

Harold’s career had started in local Bolton football and cricket teams before a brief trial with Norwich City and a return north to join Walkden Central. There then followed a brief period with Bolton Wanderers, but unable to reach first team level for the ‘Trotters’ he was signed on a free transfer by Exeter City of the Southern League. A consistent player for Exeter, especially during 1914-15 season when he played in all of their Southern League fixtures, he returned north at the end of the season when professional football was abolished for the duration of the war. 

In addition to playing for Manchester United, Walkden Central and Rochdale during the various war-time competitions, he also may have assisted Atherton. His war-time career in Lancashire football has not been fully confirmed and he does not appear to have resumed either his football or cricket careers after the war.

Brief Career

Lever Bridge Amateurs, c. cs 1906 to March 1908
Bolton Wanderers trial, March 1908
Lever Bridge Amateurs, cs 1908 to cs 1909
Atherton, August 1909 to c. cs 1910
Little Lever Lads Club, c. cs 1910
Norwich City trial, April 1911
Walkden Central, c. cs 1911 to 10^th February 1913
Bolton Wanderers, 10^th February 1913 to August 1913
Exeter City, August 1913 to cs 1915
Manchester United war-time guest, September 1915
Walkden Central war-time guest, September 1915
Atherton war-time guest, October 1915 [Not Confirmed]
Rochdale war-time guest, November to December 1915
Atherton war-time guest, February to March 1916 [Not Confirmed]
Walkden Central war-time guest, August to November 1916

Detailed Career

Lever Bridge Amateurs, c. cs 1906 to March 1908

1906-07 Season

Holt selected at outside right for Lever Bridge amateurs against Ringley at Ringley in the Bolton Amateur League, Bolton Evening News, 31^st August 1906 Holt of Lever Bridge selected at outside right for the Bolton Amateur League ‘Rest of League XI’ against the champions on 30^th April 1907, Bolton Evening News, 13^th April 1907
1907-08 Season

Harold noted at outside left for Lever Bridge against Victoria Wesleyans, Bolton Evening News, 20^th September 1907
Harold noted at outside right and the captain of Lever Bridge against King’s Hall at Snow Hill, Bolton Evening News, 24^th January 1908
Holt noted at outside right and the captain of Lever Bridge against 2^nd Volunteer Battalion Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, Bolton Evening News, 7^th February 1908
Noted as having started his career with Lever Bridge FC, Cricket & Football Field, 27^th February 1915

Bolton Wanderers trial, March 1908

1907-08 Season

Holt the outside right of Lever Bridge to be given a trial with Bolton Wanderers, Cricket & Football Field, 21^st March 1908
Bolton Wanderers yesterday secured the transfer from Lever Bridge of an amateur named Holt, an outside right. George Doughty, the Lever Bridge centre half, is also to have a trial with the Wanderers' Reserve on April 18, against Oldham Reserve.
Manchester Courier, 21^st March 1908

Hard lines on Holt, the Lever Bridge player, to go to Burnden to have a trial, and then find a Scot preferred. Still, his turn will probably come in the near future.

Cricket & Football Field, 28^th March 1908

Lever Bridge Amateurs, cs 1908 to cs 1909

1908-09 Season

Holt noted as to play in the Lever Bridge pre-season practice match, Bolton Evening News, 13^th August 1908
Selected at outside right for Lever Bridge Amateurs against Breightmet United, Bolton Evening News, 4^th September 1908

Played in a 4-0 win against Worsley Road at Darcy Lever, Cricket & Football Field, 12^th September 1908
Scored against Proctor’s Amateurs at Farnworth, Cricket & Football Field, 19^th September 1908

Scored for Lever Bridge against Smithill’s in a 5-2 win at Heaton in the Bolton Amateur League, Cricket & Football Field, 28^th November 1908

Atherton, August 1909 to c. cs 1910

1909-10 Season

Noted as Holt of Lever Bridge and playing for the Stripes at outside right against the Colours in the Atherton practice match on 18^th August 1909, Leigh Chronicle, 20^th August 1909

Noted at outside right in the Atherton reserve team against Hindley Central in the Lancashire Alliance, Bolton Evening News, 1^st October 1909

Little Lever Lads Club, c. cs 1910

1910-11 Season

Holt scored a penalty for Little Lever Lads against Eagley Institute, Bolton Evening News, 27^th September 1910

Holt selected to play for Little Lever Lads against Little Lever United at outside right in the Lancashire Junior Shield on 1^st October 1910, Bolton Evening News, 30^th September 1910
Holt selected to play for Little Lever Lads against Little Lever United at outside right in the Lancashire Junior Shield second round replay on 8^th October 1910, Bolton Evening News, 7^th October 1910

Holt noted as a forward for Little Lever and scoring against Edgworth, Cricket & Football Field, 5^th November 1910

Walkden Central, c.1911 [It is unclear about this as he is also referred to as being from Little Lever]

1910-11 Season

Holt noted as an amateur from Walkden Central and making his debut for Norwich City at outside right in a 1-0 win against Brentford, Eastern Daily Press, 19^th April 1911

Norwich City trial, April 1911

1910-11 Season

Holt noted as an amateur from Walkden Central and making his debut for Norwich City at outside right in a 1-0 win against Brentford, Eastern Daily Press, 19^th April 1911

Holt noted as the Little Lever man and “…gave a good show…” at outside right for Norwich City in a 0-0 draw with Exeter City, Athletic News, 24^th April 1911

Walkden Central, c. cs 1911 to 10^th February 1913

1911-12 Season

Played for Walkden Central in a 0-1 defeat against Heywood United at Bamford Road on 17^th February 1912, Heywood Advertiser, 23^rd February 1912
Noted as selected at outside right for Walkden Central against Rochdale at Spotland on 27^th April 1912, Rochdale Times, 27^th April 1912

1912-13 Season

Holt at outside right for Walkden Central, Eccles & Patricroft Journal, 3^rd January 1913

Bolton Wanderers, 10^th February 1913 to August 1913

1912-13 Season

BOLTON’S NEW FORWARD

Bolton Wanderers yesterday made arrangements with Walkden Central for the transfer of Harry Holt, their outside right. Other big clubs have had this player under observation. He was formerly associated with Norwich City, in the Southern League; and a cricketer of some repute, assisting Darcy Lever in the Bolton and District League.

Manchester Courier, 11^th February 1913

Holt noted to have been transferred on Monday 10^th February 1913, Leeds Mercury, 11^th February 1913

The transfer of Harry Holt, who is said to be one of the fastest wing forwards in the Lancashire Combination, has been secured by Bolton Wanderers from Walkden Central. Manchester City were also anxious to enlist Holt's services. He is 21 years of age, stands 5 feet 8 ½ inches high, and is a native of Little Lever. He had a trial with Norwich City at the beginning of the season, but could not come to terms with the Southern League club.

Dundee Courier, 12^th February 1913

Holt of Bolton Wanderers reserve team noted as the ex-Walkden Central winger, Burnley News, 8^th March 1913

Holt (Bolton Wanderers) given a free transfer, Yorkshire Post, 9^th August 1913

Bolton Wanderers played a match against Walkden Central as part of the transfer arrangements for Harry Holt joining from Walkden Central. He had by then moved on to join Exeter City. Manchester Courier, 9^th September 1913

Exeter City, August 1913 to cs 1915

He had to wait until October 1913 though before he made his Grecians debut in a Southern League fixture at Gillingham. After that, he never looked back and was a virtual ever-present for the rest of the season, scoring three goals in 30 starts. 

In the 1914-15 season, he played in every match in City’s Southern League programme - 38 appearances, scoring four goals. Including the matches on the South American tour, concluding with the match against Brazil in Rio. 

After the First World War, Holt assisted Chesterfield, Gillingham (in 1920-21 where he made 6 Football League outings) and Mansfield Town.

 

1913-14 Season

The Exeter City directors also expect to sign to-day Harry Holt, who was understudy to Whittaker as outside right. Last season while at Walkden he was transferred to Bolton Wanderers, being a native of Bolton. He is 21 years old, stands 5ft. 8in., and weighs eleven stone.

Portsmouth Evening News, 12^th August 1913

Exeter City hare secured a promising player, Harry Holt, for nothing from Bolton Wanderers. The latter gave £100 for him, and played him in their Central League team.
Sheffield Star Green ‘Un, 16^th August 1913

1914-15 Season

Noted as having re-signed for Exeter City for 1914-15 season, Western Times, 7^th May 1914

Selected to play at outside right in the Exeter City second practice match for the Stripes against the Colours on 29^th August 1914, Western Morning News, 29^th August 1914

Noted as scoring for Exeter City in a 1-0 win against Bristol Rovers, Daily Citizen (Manchester), 5^th April 1915

Noted as having played in every match for Exeter City in the Southern League in 1914-15 season, Sheffield Daily Telegraph, 19^th May 1915

Bolton Wanderers war-time guest, cs 1915

1915-16 Season

Noted as the Exeter City forward who will assist Bolton Wanderers during the 1915-16 season, Birmingham Evening Despatch, 26^th August 1915

Noted as the Exeter City forward who will assist Bolton Wanderers during the 1915-16 season and a “…local lad and working in the neighbourhood”, Sheffield Star Green ‘Un, 28^th August 1915

 

[Not confirmed as having played for Bolton Wanderers during 1915]

Manchester United war-time guest, 4^th September 1915

1915-16 Season

Harold Holt of Exeter City noted as being available for Manchester United during 1915-16 season, Birmingham Sports Argus, 4^th September 1915

Holt noted as having played for Manchester United against Oldham Athletic on 4^th September 1915, Manchester Courier, 6^th September 1915

Confirmed as playing for Manchester United against Oldham Athletic on 4^th September 1915, Football league List of Registered Players for Manchester United 1915-16 Season

Replaced at outside right by Tom Knighton for the match against Everton on 11^th September 1915, Birmingham Sports Argus, 11^th September 1915

Walkden Central war-time guest, September 1915

1915-16 Season

Holt an ex-Exeter City player at outside right scored in a 5-3 win for Walkden Central against Eccles Borough, Eccles & Patricroft Journal, 17^th September 1915

Atherton war-time guest, October 1915 [Not Confirmed]

1915-16 Season

Player called Holt at outside right for Atherton against Altrincham in a 0-0 draw, Runcorn Guardian, 26^th October 1915

Rochdale war-time guest, November to December 1915

1915-16 Season

Made his debut at outside right for Rochdale in a 0-2 defeat against Manchester City at Spotland on 6^th November 1915, Rochdale Observer, 10^th November 1915

Played at outside right for Rochdale in a 0-2 defeat against Manchester United at Old Trafford on 13^th November 1915, Birmingham Sports Argus, 13^th November 1915; Rochdale Observer, 17^th November 1915

Played at outside right for Rochdale against Stoke at the Victoria Ground on 20^th November 1915, Rochdale Times, 24^th November 1915

Noted as scoring for Rochdale in a 2-3 defeat against Blackpool at Spotland on 27^th November 1917, Reynold’s Newspaper, 28^th November 1915

Played for Rochdale at outside left in a 1-0 win against Burnley at Spotland on 4^th December 1915, Rochdale Observer, 4^th December 1915

Noted as dropped from the outside right position for the visit to Southport Central on 18^th December 1915, Rochdale Times, 15^th December 1915

Holt noted as a reserve for the match against Oldham Athletic on Christmas Day, Rochdale Observer, 22^nd December 1915

Atherton war-time guest, February to March 1916 [Not Confirmed]

1915-16 Season

Player called Holt noted as scoring for Atherton in a 2-0 win against Altrincham, Runcorn Guardian, 22^nd February 1916

Player called Holt playing at outside left for Atherton in a 2-1 win against Warrington Town, Runcorn Guardian, 7^th March 1916

Walkden Central war-time guest, August to November 1916

1916-17 Season

Harry Holt noted as the Darcy Lever cricketer and footballer for Walkden Central, Rochdale and Manchester United, Bolton Evening News BUFF, 26^th August 1916

Player called Holt noted at outside right for Walkden Central in a 1-5 defeat against Altrincham, Nantwich Guardian, 14^th November 1916

Harry Holt the footballer at Walkden is the Darcy Lever cricketer, Bolton Evening News BUFF, 18^th November 1916

Player called Holt noted at outside right for Walkden Central in a 5-0 win against Altrincham, Runcorn Guardian, 21^st November 1916

Cricket Career

Darcy Lever Cricket Club, 1909 to 1910

[Probably there for longer but not researched]

1909 Season

Noted as a Darcy Lever cricketer in the 1909 cricket season, Bolton Evening News, 23^rd April 1909

 

1910 Season

Noted as a Darcy Lever cricketer in the 1910 cricket season, Cricket & Football Field, 16^th July 1910

Noted as playing for Darcy Lever against Heaton in the Bolton & District League First Division, Bolton Evening News, 12^th August 1910

 Selected for Darcy Lever against Farnworth in the Bolton & District League First Division, Bolton Evening News, 19^th August 1910

 Harry Holt noted as the Darcy Lever cricketer and footballer for Walkden Central, Rochdale and Manchester United, Bolton Evening News BUFF, 26^th August 1916

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