Christopher James Holland (born 11 September 1975) is a former English footballer who played as a midfielder. He played in the Premier League for Newcastle United and made 279 appearances in the Football League playing for Preston North End, Birmingham City, Huddersfield Town and Boston United. He is a former England under-21 international.

He later played non-league football for Boston United, Southport, Leigh Genesis, Fleetwood Town, Burscough and Guiseley.

Club career

Holland was born in Whalley, Lancashire, started his football career as a trainee at Preston North End in 1993. He made just one league appearance as a substitute before signing for Premier League club Newcastle United on 20 January 1994 for a fee of £100,000. However, an eye injury sustained during an ammonia attack hindered his progress[3] and he joined Birmingham City on loan on 3 September 1996.[4] The loan was made permanent in October 1996 for a fee of £600,000. He helped Birmingham reach the Division One playoffs in 1999, however he missed a crucial penalty as they lost to Watford in a shoot out.[5] He made 88 appearances in all competitions for Birmingham, of which 70 were in the league.[6]

On 3 February 2000, Holland joined Huddersfield Town for a fee of £100,000. He scored the first goal of his professional career, a winner against Nottingham Forest, on 21 March.[7]

He played regularly for three seasons, but when told by manager Peter Jackson that a new contract would not be offered at the end of the 2003–04 season, he chose to join League Two club Boston United in March 2004.[8]

After two years playing regularly, during which he made 85 league appearances, he moved nearer to his Lancashire home when he signed an 18-month contract with Conference National club Southport on 31 January 2007 on a free transfer.[9][10] Despite Southport's relegation to the Conference North at the end of the season, Holland agreed a new contract and was appointed club captain.[11] Holland was a vital part of the Southport side in the 2007–08 season. He scored his first goal for the club at Hyde United.^{[citation needed]} His next goal came three weeks later in Southport's 3–1 victory at his old club Boston United.^{[citation needed]}

In July 2008 Holland signed for Northern Premier League Premier Division club Leigh Genesis on a free transfer. He made his debut on the opening day of the 2008–09 season, in a 2–0 defeat to Eastwood Town. He scored his first goal in his tenth game for the club on 20 September in a 4–2 defeat to Whitby Town.[12]

On 14 November 2008 he joined Conference North club Fleetwood Town,[13] making his debut the next day in a 2–1 away victory over Stafford Rangers.[14] In March 2009, Holland joined another Conference North outfit, Burscough.[15] He remained at Burscough until the end of the season, then joined Guiseley of the Northern Premier League. He helped that club win the title in his first season,[16] but was appointed assistant manager in September 2010, and thereafter his appearances were restricted to the substitutes' bench.[17][18][19][20][21]

International career

Holland is a former England youth and under-21 international. He won the first of his ten under-21 caps while at Newcastle.[22]

Career statistics

Chris Holland at the English National Football Archive (subscription required)

References

External links

• Chris Holland at Soccerbase

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