Tom Holford
Tom Holford player profile: biography, stats, images and news about this Port Vale player.
Time at club: 1914-1924
Appearances: 54
Goals: 1
Tom Holford player profile:
Locally-born Tom Holford was born in Hanley and started his footballing career with Stoke City where he earned an England cap. After a spell with Manchester City he joined Valiants in 1914. Holdford was initially player-manager during the early years of World War One but he left the position when he was called up to fight before he rejoined the Valiants on his return.
At the end of the 1922-23 season, Holford retired as a player but was kept on as a trainer. However, in 1924 when Port Vale suffered an injury crisis in 1924, Holford came out of retirement to play against Derby County. At the age of 46 years and 68 days he became the club’s oldest-ever player.
He then became Port Vale manager for a second spell in 1932 and managed the club for three years which included a club record 9-1 league victory over Chesterfield. He was sacked in 1935 but continued to serve the club until 1950 in scouting and training roles.
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