Tears From The Past: On This Day 1993 – Sky Blues & Footballing World Lose ‘Big Jim’!

In an earlier post we looked at a Division One game between the Sky Blues and Manchester City at Highfield Road on 4th October 1977 which featured Jim Holton playing at No.5 for the Sky Blues.

In a sad coincidence, ‘Big Jim’ also passed away on the very same day (4th October) in 1993 just sixteen years later at the tragically early age of only 42. ‘Big Jim’ was a feared centre-half with a no-nonsense style which endeared him to the fans at all of his clubs. Born in Scotland at Lesmahagow in April 1951 he began his professional career with Glasgow Celtic in 1967 before moving South of the border to West Bromwich Albion in April 1968. His next club was Shrewsbury Town for whom he signed in June 1971.

He was at his peak with the mighty Manchester United for whom he signed for £80k in January 1973 and he played for his country in the 1974 World Cup finals. With United he had a short loan spell in the States with Miami Toros in the close season of 1976. Breaking his leg twice, he later lost his place with the Red Devils and, after a short spell with Sunderland at the start of the 1976-77 season, he moved to Highfield Road in March 1977 for £50k.

He undoubtedly played an important role in keeping the club in Division One during his initial time at Highfield Road and also played his part in consolidating their status in the top flight. Having worn the Sky Blue from 1977-81 in one hundred games (one goal), and after losing his place to Paul Dyson,  he had had a swan-song loan period in the States for Detroit Express in 1981 before ending up at Sheffield Wednesday (where he did not feature for the first team before hanging up his boots).

He retired in 1983 after playing some games with Coventry Talbot and became a publican locally being ‘mine host’ at the Rising Sun & Old Stag in Coventry.

He passed away in 1993, suffering a heart attack while driving through Baginton Village near Coventry.

He is sadly missed by so many.