Fred Holbeach

Fred Holbeach Date of Birth: Mar 17, 1910

Born Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, a winger, he played for Mansfield Town Colts and then in the Reserve team. Freddie came from Mansfield Town to Luton in 1932 where he signed professional. He was released in April 1934 after playing mainly for the reserves.

Freddie signed for Yeovil and Petters FC and played in FA Cup run of 1934/35 when they beat Exeter City and Crystal Palace. He stayed with them for the 1935/36 season then went to play in Northern Ireland with Glenavon then Derry then back to Glanavon. He had a final spell with Shelbourne before retiring from the playing side.

After World War Two he went to be manager at March Town, Cambridgeshire. The club had a successful period making money too but domestic issues caused Freddy to return to Northern Ireland.

He became a scout for Wolves sending many lads to the West Midlands for a trial. Wolves regularly brought him over to their Annual Dinner when he would berate them for not following up on some of his recommendations. Bearing in mind Wolves turned down a young Frank Stapleton, David O’Leary and George Eastham, Freddie did have a point. He was a school crossing patrolman in 1982 while kept his weekends free for football.

Freddie passed away in 1997.