Born in Skelmersdale, Lancashire, Holmes had trial spells with both Liverpool and Wigan Borough in 1925 but was an employed as a miner and playing for local side Prescot Cables when he was spotted by Chesterfield in 1930.
[1] Making his debut for United in October 1931 in an away fixture at Manchester City, Holmes became a regular in the Blades defence for the next four years.
[1] Holmes was regarded as a robust and tough tackling defender with a fiery temper, highlighted when a referee ruled out a goal Holmes had scored, only for the defender to pick up the official and "shake him like a dog would a rat" according to press reports.
[1] Having missed very few fixtures, Holmes was sidelined by injury at the start of the 1935–36 season and was replaced by Tom Johnson.
[1] In May 1936 Holmes moved to West Ham United for £750 where he played for a season, before joining Reading in July 1937.