Everton confirm death of former player Paul Holmes aged 56

Former Everton player Paul Holmes has died aged 56 after a battle with cancer.

Born in Stocksbridge, Holmes joined the Blues from Birmingham City in 1993 and made 28 appearances for the club. Everton have released a statement stating that everyone at the club “is deeply saddened” by Holmes’ death and club ambassador Ian Snodin, who was one of his team-mates at Goodison Park said: “I knew Paul was unwell but I am deeply shocked by his passing.

“He was a fine player and a lovely guy to share a dressing room with. He got on well with all the lads and he was unfortunate not to play more games.”

Holmes lined up alongside Everton title-winner Snodin on his debut on March 24, 1993 as the Blues won 3-0 at home to Ipswich Town while Neville Southall, Matt Jackson, Andy Hinchcliffe, Dave Watson and Paul Rideout who were all part of the 1995 FA Cup-winning side were also involved that night. The right-back’s big move to Goodison Park came about by chance after manager Howard Kendall spotted him playing for Birmingham City’s reserves while scouting another player.

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In an article published by the EFC Heritage Society earlier this season, Steve Zocek quoted Holmes as saying: “I played for Birmingham reserves and was told later to go into the office where Terry Cooper had informed me that Howard Kendall from Everton had been on the phone. I thought that this was some kind of joke.

“I spoke to Howard on the phone who invited me up to play in a reserve game which is basically it. The move was a bit nerve-racking as the players there were all household names. Everton is a massive and fantastic club and was a big step.”

Holmes, who played in a 2-0 Merseyside Derby win over Liverpool on September 18, 1993 and would come on as a substitute for his final Everton appearance in a goalless draw against Feyenoord on October 19, 1995 when a certain Ronald Koeman was in opposition for a European Cup-Winners’ Cup tie, spoke of his excitement of coming to Goodison Park in the same piece. He said: “The only time that I ever saw Howard Kendall until we met was on TV. He of course was a club legend and still is despite his passing. I went to Everton; they liked me and the signing came shortly after. I didn’t need to be asked twice. Whatever wages they offered me I would have signed. It was just great to be involved with a club like that.”

Following his time at Everton, Holmes turned out for West Bromwich Albion and Torquay United and following his diagnosis, former Soccer AM presenter Helen Chamberlain, who is a fan of the latter, backed a fundraising effort to buy him a larger television to watch during his treatment after he was unable to continuing working in the medical records department at Torbay Hospital. She said: “We’ve gone big, we want the best biggest telly. If we don’t reach the target, we’ll get one within budget, if it goes over, he can buy what the hell he likes with the leftovers, which will most likely be sweets.”