Jimmy Holmes

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James Paul Holmes (born November 11, 1953 in Dublin) is an Irish former professional footballer. Hailing from Cork Street in The Liberties he won 30 full international caps for the Republic of Ireland.

Holmes, a left-back, joined Coventry City as apprentice from Dublin side St John Bosco and was a member of the FA Youth Cup Final side in 1970. He turned professional in November 1970 and became the Republic of Ireland's youngest ever full international at 17 years, 200 days when he came on as a 74th minute substitute for Don Givens in the 4-1 defeat in the European Championship Qualifier against Austria at Dalymount Park on May 30, 1971.

He made his league debut later that year in the home game against Leicester City on the 4th of December and gradually established himself in the Coventry first team. In March 1977, after 6 goals in 128 games for Coventry, he moved to Tottenham Hotspur for a fee of £120,000. A broken leg ended his career at White Hart Lane after 81 league games, in which he scored twice. While on international duty, Jimmy broke his leg, and complications arose in the setting of the leg.

In 1981 he joined the Vancouver Whitecaps and made one final appearance in the Irish national side. In October 1982 he returned to the UK, joining Leicester City on a free transfer, but played only twice before a free transfer took him to Brentford in February 1983. A month later, another free transfer took him to Torquay United, Holmes playing 25 games (3 goals) for Bruce Rioch's side. In November 1983 he moved to Peterborough United, scoring 7 times in 49 games before ending his league career.

He enjoyed an illustrious testimonial match in 1985 at Dalymount Park, when an Irish XI beat a Glenn Hoddle XI[1].

He later became a police officer in the Midlands. As a police officer, he was once called into duty again while on police duty at Coventry City's Highfield Road. When one of the players for a testimonial did not show, Jimmy stepped into the fray.

In August 2007 he was formally commended for his bravery in July 2006[2]