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John Holdsworth

1947 – 2023

English rugby league referee

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About John Holdsworth

Lived 1947 – 2023 (aged 75–76). John Holdsworth was a rugby league player.

John Holdsworth (25 January 1947 – 17 February 2023) was a rugby league referee from Kippax, West Riding of Yorkshire, England.

Career Holdsworth took charge of matches during the 1980s and 1990s, and was the referee for the 1987 World Club Challenge, and Wigan's 36–14 victory over Warrington in the 1990 Challenge Cup Final during the 1989–90 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 28 April 1990.

International referee Holdsworth refereed a number of international Test matches during his career. His first international came on 20 March 1980 when England defeated Wales 17–4 at Boothferry Park in Hull. His last test as a referee was at the Stade d'Albert Domec in Carcassonne, France on 21 November 1993 in a game which saw New Zealand defeat hosts France 36–11 as part of the Kiwis 1993 tour of Great Britain and France.

Death Holdsworth died on 17 February 2023, at the age of 76.

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Important facts

Birth century
Died
2023
Occupation

People in John Holdsworth's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped John Holdsworth's

Frequently asked questions

Who was John Holdsworth?

English rugby league referee

When was John Holdsworth born?

John Holdsworth was born on 25 January 1947.

When did John Holdsworth die?

John Holdsworth died in 2023.

What was John Holdsworth's occupation?

John Holdsworth was a rugby league player.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: John Holdsworth

· Wikidata: Q6239566

· DBpedia: John Holdsworth (referee)

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). John Holdsworth. https://biography.guide/john-holdsworth-rugby-league-player/

MLA: "John Holdsworth." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/john-holdsworth-rugby-league-player/.

Chicago: "John Holdsworth." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/john-holdsworth-rugby-league-player/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-22 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

Portrait: Wikimedia Commons · author & licence

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