08/05/2024 16comments  |  Jump to last

Former Everton defender, Paul Holmes, has died aged just 56 after a battle with cancer, the Club have announced.

Holmes made 28 appearances in all competitions for the Blues following a move from Birmingham City when Howard Kendall signed him in 1993.

He had begun his career with Doncaster Rovers but played the bulk of his football at Torquay United over two spells between 1998 and 1992 and then between 1999 and 2003.

Paul played in the Merseyside derby defeat of Liverpool in September 1993 when goals by Mark Ward and Tony Cottee lifted the Toffees to a 2-0 win and made his last appearance against Feyenoord in the European Cup Winners’ Cup in October 1995 under Joe Royle.

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He left Goodison Park the following year to join West Bromwich Albion.

 

 

Reader Comments (16)

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Kieran Kinsella
1 Posted 08/05/2024 at 15:27:34
Very sad to hear of his passing at a young age.

I just read his last game was v Feyenoord as a sub. I was at that game and forgot he was still at the club at that point. He seemed like an astute old-school-style Kendall signing when we got him but, for whatever reason, he never really had a good run in the team.

Thoughts and prayers for him and his family.

Danny O’Neill
2 Posted 08/05/2024 at 15:52:17
Sad news, especially when people pass away at a young age.

Rest in peace blue boy.

Jeff Spiers
3 Posted 08/05/2024 at 17:58:40
Very sad.
David Vaughan
4 Posted 08/05/2024 at 18:10:25
I can't believe this. You sometimes forget players are only human, exposed to the weaknesses and trials of being alive.

Rest well, young man, I remember you well.

Stephen Vincent
5 Posted 08/05/2024 at 18:46:06
I remember a wonderful cross for Tony Cottee to complete a hat trick against Sheffield Utd. I think he was very unlucky with injuries.

RIP young man.

Lee Courtliff
6 Posted 08/05/2024 at 20:35:40
Although I only saw him play a couple of times, Paul Holmes always stood out in my memory. I have no idea why.

I was there for his last league appearance for us against Man Ud in September 1995, I didn't recall him playing against Feyenoord.

RIP Paul, and condolences to his family and friends.

Rob Halligan
7 Posted 08/05/2024 at 21:17:08
Another death with Everton connections…

Viv Busby former Fulham player, who scored both goals against us in the FA Cup game in 1975, a game we lost 2-1. Busby was also part of Howard Kendall's coaching team in the 1997-98 season.

Paul Ferry
8 Posted 08/05/2024 at 21:32:12
One of my early heartbreaks that, Rob. Viv Busby scored the winner with a few minutes to go after Roger Kenyon got the equaliser.

RIP Viv Busby and Paul Holmes.

Gavin Johnson
9 Posted 08/05/2024 at 22:26:22
Sad news about Paul Holmes. He's a player that stands out in my mind as I remember reading the sports page while on my morning paper round as a kid, and reading we'd signed him for £100,000 from Birmingham.

My first thoughts were... why are we were signing a player from Birmingham who isn't even a regular 1st team starter and I think he was already something like 24 years old?!

It was a curious time for Everton. This was also around the time we signed Kenny Sansom from Coventry City on a free, and we also had to sell Beardsley and Keown... No wonder Howard left!

Unfortunately, I don't remember Paul playing in any game for us, but my thoughts go out to his wife and family.

Paul Birmingham
10 Posted 08/05/2024 at 22:42:48
Very sad news to hear of the passing of Paul Holmes and Viv Busby, RIP.

It's frightening where the years have gone.

Deepest condolences to their families at this terrible time.

Si Cooper
11 Posted 09/05/2024 at 01:13:51
Got to admit I really cannot remember Paul Holmes at all. Tragic he has died at what is still a young age.

I recently lost a 55-year-old friend to cancer. Missing opportunities for early diagnosis seems to be key in this day and age, but some cancers seem to be able to be very advanced before they are at all noticeable.

Kieran Kinsella
12 Posted 09/05/2024 at 03:46:43
Gavin

I thought the same, mate, initially… but my 1987 Shoot! Annual pointed out how Howard signed all kinds of binmen, Burnley players, etc who became stars.

So, as a Kendallphile, I assumed Holmes would be of the same calibre. Rather like John O'Kane, John Oster and Gareth Farrelly a few years later. But hey he far exceeded 99.9% of us wannabe players by having a decent career and playing 30-plus times for Everton.

There was an article today in The Echo that mentioned another young man who died too soon: Gary Ablett. Holmes, Speed, Albett… God rest their souls.

Peter Mills
13 Posted 09/05/2024 at 08:09:14
I remember Paul as a neat and tidy full-back who perhaps lacked the pace and strength to make it to the very top, but he had a good career.

Much more importantly, I have read he was a decent person. Sincere condolences to his family and friends.

Alan McGuffog
14 Posted 09/05/2024 at 08:44:55
RIP indeed...far too young.

Did we not have Holmes and Watson playing for us at one time?
.

Chris Williams
15 Posted 09/05/2024 at 09:08:48
That's true, Alan… and we still didn't have a clue.
Frank Sheppard
16 Posted 11/05/2024 at 21:05:53
His misfortune to be around same time as Gary Stevens.

I remember seeing him play in a pre-season friendly v Celtic at Goodison.

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