John S. Holmes was an English Rugby League World Cup winning footballer of the 1960s, '70s and '80s, who at representative level played for Great Britain, and England, and at club level for Leeds, and Barrow.[1]
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John Holmes won caps for England while at Leeds in the 1975 Rugby League World Cup against Wales, France, New Zealand, and Australia, in 1977 against Wales, and France (sub), in 1978 against France (sub), and won caps for Great Britain while at Leeds in 1971 against New Zealand, in 1972 against France (2 matches), in the 1972 Rugby League World Cup against Australia (sub), New Zealand and Australia, in the 1977 Rugby League World Cup against France, New Zealand, Australia, and Australia (sub), in 1978 against Australia (sub) (3 matches), in 1979 against Australia (2 matches), Australia (sub), and New Zealand (3 matches), and in 1982 against Australia.[1]
In a career spanning from 1968 to 1989, Holmes made a club record 625 appearances for Leeds, starting his career as a full-back or centre and later switching to stand-off,[2] i.e. number 6. He played in nineteen major finals for Leeds winning all but five.[2] He played at the highest level representing Yorkshire, England and Great Britain. He made 20 appearances between 1971 and 1982 for Great Britain,[3] and was a World Cup winner for Great Britain in 1972 at the age of twenty.[4]
John Holmes' Testimonial match at Leeds took place in 1989.
He died from cancer on 27 September 2009.[5] On 10 October, Leeds won the Super League Grand Final, captain Kevin Sinfield dedicated the victory to Holmes.
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