John Holland was a professional footballer who played as a striker for various clubs in England during the late 1950s to the mid-1970s. He was born on 22nd December 1938 in Liverpool, England.
Holland began his football career with Liverpool in 1957, where he played for two seasons before moving to Oldham Athletic in 1959. He spent four seasons with Oldham, scoring 63 goals in 148 appearances. In 1963, he moved to Sheffield Wednesday, where he played for two seasons and scored 23 goals in 60 appearances.
In 1965, Holland joined Derby County, where he played for six seasons and became a club legend. He scored 98 goals in 271 appearances for the club and helped them win the Second Division title in 1969. He was also part of the Derby team that reached the semi-finals of the European Cup in 1973.
Holland left Derby County in 1971 and joined Mansfield Town, where he played for two seasons before moving to non-league side Boston United in 1973. He played for Boston United for two seasons before retiring from professional football in 1975.
Holland was known for his pace, skill, and goal-scoring ability. He was a prolific scorer throughout his career and scored a total of 232 goals in 604 appearances. He was also known for his sportsmanship and was never sent off during his career.
After retiring from professional football, Holland worked as a coach and scout for various clubs, including Derby County, Sheffield Wednesday, and Nottingham Forest. He also worked as a football commentator for BBC Radio Derby.
Holland was inducted into the Derby County Hall of Fame in 2009, and his contribution to the club was recognized with a statue outside Pride Park Stadium in 2019.
In conclusion, John Holland was a talented footballer who had a successful career playing for various clubs in England. He was a prolific scorer and a respected sportsman who made a significant contribution to the clubs he played for. After retiring from professional football, he continued to work in the sport as a coach and commentator.
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