Tom Holford

Thomas Holford (22 February 1878 – 6 April 1964) was an English footballer who played for Stoke, Manchester City, Port Vale and the England national team. His primary position was wing-half. Still, he played in many different positions throughout his career. He later managed Port Vale on two separate occasions, serving throughout World War I, before three years from 1932 to 1935. He also served the club for many years as a trainer and a scout. In 1924, he turned out for the Vale at 46 years and 68 days, making him one of the oldest players in the English Football League.

Early and personal life Thomas Holford was born on 22 February 1878 in Hanley.

Club career

Stoke Holford started his career with Granville's Night School and Cobridge before he moved on to one of the two local league clubs; Stoke in 1899. For the next ten seasons Holford was a near ever-present in the Stoke team, racking up 105 consecutive appearances from March 1903 to March 1906.

Manchester City In April 1908, he signed for First Division Manchester City, making his debut on 21 April against Bristol City, a match which finished goalless. In his first full season at the club he made 27 appearances and was the club's second-highest goalscorer with 15 goals, which included three hat-tricks. However, Manchester City finished second-bottom in the First Division, and Holford again suffered relegation. Holford won a Second Division championship medal in the 1909–10 season as his club immediately returned to the top flight. Though he had been an ever-present in 1912–13, Holford lost his place in the first-team in the 1913–14 season, making all but three of his 15 appearances in the first ten weeks of the season. He made his last appearance for Manchester City on 13 April 1914 against Newcastle United, giving him a final total of 183 appearances and 38 goals for the club. After playing his part in World War I, as well as guesting for Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United,

Style of play Holford was nicknamed "Dirty Tommy" due to his sometimes reckless tackling. He was also regarded as an excellent passer of the ball.

Managerial career He had two spells as manager of Port Vale, the first as player-manager from 1914 to 1918 when he was player-manager. The club won the 1915 North Staffordshire Infirmary Cup. His second appointment came in June 1932, with the club in the Second Division. He signed wingers Bob Morton and Jimmy McGrath, and led the Vale to a club record 9–1 victory over Chesterfield on 24 September.

Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals

1898–99 First Division

1899–1900 First Division

1900–01 First Division

1901–02 First Division

1902–03 First Division

1903–04 First Division

1904–05 First Division

1905–06 First Division

1906–07 First Division

1907–08 Second Division

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1907–08 First Division

1908–09 First Division

1909–10 Second Division

1910–11 First Division

1911–12 First Division

1912–13 First Division

1913–14 First Division

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1919–20 Second Division

1920–21 Second Division

1921–22 Second Division

1922–23 Second Division

1923–24 Second Division

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International

Managerial + Managerial record by team and tenureTeamFromToRecordPort Vale 1 June 193230 September 1935

Honours

As a player Manchester City Football League Second Division: 1909–10

Port Vale North Staffordshire Infirmary Cup: 1920 (shared), 1922 (shared) Staffordshire Senior Cup: 1920

England British Home Championship: 1902–03 (shared)

As a manager Port Vale North Staffordshire Infirmary Cup: 1915