Former Sky Blue midfielder Jimmy Holmes is the Coventry City Former Players Association’s special guest at the Sky Blues League Two home game tomorrow at the Ricoh against Swindon Town.
Jim, like all Sky Blues fans will be hoping CCFC extend their unbeaten Ricoh run in all competitions to seven games and get their championship/play-off aspirations back on track after their disappointing 1-0 defeat at Exeter City last time out.
Fellow countryman Noel Cantwell brought Jimmy as a promising youngster to Highfield Road in 1970 from St John Bosco. 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 30 caps. Jim proved such a versatile and dynamic defender (with attacking flair) that Spurs 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 and Peterborough before dropping into non-league football.
Jim (left) at Golf Day 2016
Jim has subsequently managed both Bedworth and Nuneaton Borough and built a career with West Midlands Constabulary. 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 Don Nardiello, Keith Waugh and, of course, CCFPA members Greg Downs and Steve Ogrizovic!
CCFPA’s Mike Young buys a copy of Jimmy’s book at Legends Day 2017
Jim is a regular visitor to Sky Blues games and is also a regular at (and former winner of) the Association’s annual Golf Days. Just last year Jimmy brought out his biography (written by CCFPA Associate member Mike Malyon) which he launched at Legends Day last April.
Look out for Jim meeting the JSB’s in the club’s Family Zone before the game after which he will be meeting older Sky Blue fans in the Supporters’ lounges at the Ricoh. After the game catch him in the G-Casino where CCFPA’s Billy Bell will be quizzing him from the stage of Lady G’s show bar.
If you really can’t get to the game Jim will be broadcasting live on the BBC CWR airwaves as the game unfolds as he assists their commentary team from the Ricoh Press Box.
Other Former Player members expected at tomorrow’s game include:-
Dave Bennett, Jim Blyth, Ken Brown, Ron Farmer, Ian Goodwin, Stuart Giddings, Micky Gynn, Lol Harvey, Brian Nicholas,Gordon Simms, Kirk Stephens, Bill Tedds, Graham Walker and Pete Wyer.