George Holley

Sunderland

Holley was born in Seaham, County Durham and played local football for three different Seaham clubs: Seaham Athletic, Seaham Villa and Wearside League champions Seaham White Star before joining Sunderland in November 1904. Initially, Holley played in the reserves where he was a regular goal-scorer, although he made a scoring debut in the First Division on 27 December 1904 away to Sheffield Wednesday. Following the transfer of Alf Common to Middlesbrough in February 1905, Holley became a first team regular. In his first few seasons at Roker Park he was over-shadowed as a goal-scorer by Arthur Bridgett, but in 1907–08 he was the club's top-scorer with 24 league goals. On 5 December 1908, Holley scored a hat-trick in a 9–1 victory at St James' Park over bitter local rivals Newcastle United, with the other goals coming from Billy Hogg (another hat-trick), Bridgett (two) and Jackie Mordue. Sunderland finished the 1908–09 season in third place, with Newcastle champions. In January 1908 Sunderland had signed Leigh Roose, who was brought in to replace Ned Doig who had moved to Liverpool. Holley and Roose soon became close friends. Holley won his first international cap against Wales on 15 March 1909, playing on the right alongside his Sunderland teammate, Arthur Bridgett. His close friend, Leigh Roose, was in goal for Wales but could not stop Holley scoring after 15 minutes as England ran out 2–0 victors. Holley was also selected for the 1909 summer tour of…

Sunderland

First Division: 1912–13 FA Cup runner-up: 1912–13 England

British Home Championship: 1908–09, 1911–12 Individual

First Division top scorer: 1911–12