Jim Holton

James Alan Holton (born April 11, 1951 in Lesmahagow - died on October 4, 1993) was a Scottish football player.

He began his playing career with West Bromwich Albion in 1968, but left three years later without having played a first-team game. He spent a season at Shrewsbury Town before making the big move to Manchester United. He played in their Second Division championship winning side in 1975 but was sold to Sunderland a year later. In 1976, he played for the Miami Toros of the North American Soccer League (NASL). He returned to the NASL with the Detroit Express in 1980. ^{[http://www.nasljerseys.com/Players/H/Holton.Jim.htm]} He finished his career with Coventry City, enjoying a four-year spell at the club before injury brought his career to an end at the age of 30.

Played in all three initial group games for Scotland in the 1974 World Cup competition, in which the team did not lose, winning 2-0 against Zaire and drawing twice, including a memorable 0-0 draw with then world champions Brazil, yet still failing to progress to the second round due to goal difference. Scotland's third game resulted in a 1-1 draw with the then Yugoslavia.

Holton stayed in Coventry after retiring from professional football, working as a pub landlord. He died in October, 1993, aged 42, after suffering a heart attack at the wheel of his car.

Playing career

*West Bromwich Albion: 1968-1971
*Shrewsbury Town: 1971-1972
*Manchester United: 1972-1976
*Sunderland: 1976-1977
*Coventry City: 1977-1981Sheffield Wednesday: May 1981 - July 1982

He was also a junior at Glasgow Celtic and played for Detroit Express on loan from Coventry City during the 1980-81 close season (JD)