Jimmy in the Sky Blue
CCFPA would like to wish, on behalf of all Sky Blues' fans, a very 'Happy Birthday' for today to CCFPA member and former Sky Blue star Jimmy Holmes. Jimmy who was born in Dublin on 11th November 1953 has been our 'special guest' at Sky Blues home games a number of times and is a pretty regular visitor to Sky Blues games as well as often attending both our major annual reunions, Legends Day and Golf Day. Jim is celebrating his 70th Birthday today!
Fellow countryman Noel Cantwell brought Jimmy as a promising youngster to Highfield Road in 1970 from St John Bosco FC.
Jim Holmes, Quintin Young & Roy Barry at Legends Day 2017
Jimmy debuted at left-back in 1971-2 and over six seasons with the Sky Blues he made 150 first team games scoring six times and appeared regularly for the Republic of Ireland eventually winning thirty caps.
Jim proved such a versatile and dynamic defender (with attacking flair) that Tottenham Hotspur took him to White Hart Lane in 1977 for a big fee but after a bad leg fracture his playing career wound down between 1981-84 at the likes of Vancouver Whitecaps, Leicester City, Brentford, Torquay United and Peterborough United before dropping into non-league football.
Jimmy Holmes at Legends Day
Jim has subsequently managed both Bedworth and Nuneaton Borough and built a career with West Midlands Constabulary before retiring. The Coventry Telegraph reported in 2007 that Jim had been formally commended for his bravery, with a fellow PC, in arresting an armed man in July the previous year.
Jim is one of several ex-CCFC players over the years who have worked in the police force either before or after their Sky Blue days including Donato Nardiello, Keith Waugh and, of course, CCFPA members Greg Downs and Steve Ogrizovic!
A few years ago Jimmy brought out his biography (written by former CCFPA Associate Member Mike Malyon) which he launched at Legends Day 2017.
Jim still comes to Sky Blues games at the CBS Arena fairly frequently. Have a good one today Jim and see you back at a CCFPA event in the not too far distant future"
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