Major Holland

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 fullback for Huddersfield between 1909 and 1921 and, subsequently, for Bramley.

Major Holland
Personal information
Born29 October 1887[1][2]
Halifax, West Riding of Yorkshire, England
Died24 August 1953(1953-08-24) (aged 65)[3]
Huddersfield, England
Playing information
PositionFullback
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1909–21 Huddersfield 218 7 299 619
1921–23 Bramley
Total 218 7 299 0 619

Career

Holland was signed by Huddersfield in 1908 after a trial match and made his debut against Bramley in January 1909.[4][5]

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.[6]

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.[7] The final of the Challenge Cup being won 37–3 against St. Helens at Watersheddings, Oldham on 1 May 1915.[8]

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.[9]

In September 1921 Holland left Huddersfield and joined Bramley,[10] 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.[11]

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.[3]

References
  1. 1939 England and Wales Register
  2. West Yorkshire, England, Church of England Births and Baptisms, 1813-1910
  3. "Mr. M.Holland". Yorkshire Post. No. 33,062. 25 August 1953. p. 8 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  4. Haywood, Brian; Sheard, Stuart; Smith, David & Thorpe, David (2015). Standing on the Shoulders of Giants: A History of Rugby League in Huddersfield. p. 47. ISBN 978-0954714680.
  5. "Bramley v Huddersfield: May outwits the Huddersfield backs". Yorkshire Evening Post. No. 5,717. 2 January 1909. p. 7 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  6. "Huddersfield's century: Holland kicks eighteen goals against Swinton Park". Leeds Mercury. No. 23,208. 2 March 1914. p. 7 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  7. "All Four Cups". Huddersfield Rugby League Heritage. Retrieved 31 August 2017.
  8. "Huddersfield v St.Helens: Yorkshiremen's easy victory". Manchester Evening News. No. 14,381. 1 May 1915. p. 3 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  9. "Smashing rally for the Cup". Leeds Mercury. No. 25,113. p. 9 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  10. "Bramley's new Full Back". Leeds Mercury. No. 25,540. 6 September 1921. p. 9 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  11. "Sporting Items". Hull Daily Mail. No. 11,657. 9 February 1923. p. 9 – via British Newspaper Archive.
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