Major Holland Explained

Major Holland
Birth Date:29 October 1887[1] [2]
Birth Place:Halifax, West Riding of Yorkshire, England
Death Place:Huddersfield, England
Year1start:1909
Year1end:21
Appearances1:218
Tries1:7
Goals1:299
Points1:619
Year2start:1921
Year2end:23
New:yes
Retired:yes
Updated:31 August 2017

Major Holland (29 October 1887 – 24 August 1953) was an English rugby league footballer of the early 20th century. Born in Halifax, West Riding of Yorkshire, England, Holland played at for Huddersfield between 1909 and 1921 and, subsequently, for Bramley.

Career

Holland was signed by Huddersfield in 1908 after a trial match and made his debut against Bramley in January 1909.[3] [4]

In the 1913–14 season Holland was the leading points scorer as he scored 268 points. He set a Huddersfield club record of 39 points (18 goals, 1 try) in the Challenge Cup match against amateur side Swinton Park by a then record score of 119–2.[5]

The following season Holland was a member of Huddersfield's Team of all talents that won all four trophies available to them; the Championship, the Yorkshire Cup, the Yorkshire County League and the Challenge Cup.[6] The final of the Challenge Cup being won 37–3 against St. Helens at Watersheddings, Oldham on 1 May 1915.[7]

When the league resumed after the First World War Holland won another Challenge Cup winner's medal as Huddersfield beat Wigan 21–10 at Headingley, Leeds.[8]

In September 1921 Holland left Huddersfield and joined Bramley,[9] however only 18 months later he was placed on the transfer list by Bramley and joined new formed club, Sheffield Hornets, in the Yorkshire Senior League ending a 15-year association with the professional game.[10]

Personal life

Away from rugby Holland was a publican for many years and was the licensee of the Crescent Hotel, Huddersfield at the time of his death in August 1953, having previously run the Calder and Hebble Hotel in Salterhebble.[11]

Notes and References

  1. 1939 England and Wales Register
  2. West Yorkshire, England, Church of England Births and Baptisms, 1813-1910
  3. Book: Haywood . Brian . Smith . David . Sheard . Stuart . Thorpe . David . Standing on the Shoulders of Giants: A History of Rugby League in Huddersfield . 2015 . 47 . 978-0954714680 . amp.
  4. News: Bramley v Huddersfield: May outwits the Huddersfield backs . . 7 . 2 January 1909 . ((5,717)) . subscription . British Newspaper Archive.
  5. News: Huddersfield's century: Holland kicks eighteen goals against Swinton Park . . 2 March 1914 . ((23,208)) . 7 . subscription . British Newspaper Archive.
  6. Web site: All Four Cups . Huddersfield Rugby League Heritage . 31 August 2017.
  7. News: Huddersfield v St.Helens: Yorkshiremen's easy victory . . 1 May 1915 . 3 . ((14,381)) . subscription . British Newspaper Archive.
  8. News: Smashing rally for the Cup . . 9 . ((25,113)) . subscription . British Newspaper Archive.
  9. News: Bramley's new Full Back . . 6 September 1921 . 9 . ((25,540)) . subscription . British Newspaper Archive.
  10. News: Sporting Items . . 9 February 1923 . 9 . ((11,657)) . subscription . British Newspaper Archive.
  11. News: Mr. M.Holland . . 25 August 1953 . 8 . ((33,062)). subscription . British Newspaper Archive.