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Chris Holroyd
English footballer (born 1986)
English footballer (born 1986)
| Field | Value | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| name | Chris Holroyd | |||
| fullname | Christopher Holroyd | |||
| height | 1.80 m{{cite news | |||
| title | Chris Holroyd – Soccerbase | |||
| url | https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=43982 | |||
| website | Soccerbase | |||
| publisher | Centurycomm | |||
| access-date | 25 August 2025}} | |||
| birth_date | ||||
| birth_place | Macclesfield, England | |||
| position | Winger, striker | |||
| youthyears1 | 2003–2005 | youthclubs1 = Crewe Alexandra | ||
| youthyears2 | 2005–2006 | youthclubs2 = Chester City | ||
| years1 | 2006–2008 | clubs1 = Chester City | caps1 = 46 | goals1 = 4 |
| years2 | 2008–2010 | clubs2 = Cambridge United | caps2 = 59 | goals2 = 22 |
| years3 | 2010–2011 | clubs3 = Brighton & Hove Albion | caps3 = 16 | goals3 = 0 |
| years4 | 2010 | clubs4 = → Stevenage (loan) | caps4 = 12 | goals4 = 6 |
| years5 | 2011 | clubs5 = → Bury (loan) | caps5 = 4 | goals5 = 1 |
| years6 | 2011–2012 | clubs6 = Rotherham United | caps6 = 15 | goals6 = 1 |
| years7 | 2012–2013 | clubs7 = Preston North End | caps7 = 20 | goals7 = 1 |
| years8 | 2012–2013 | clubs8 = → Macclesfield Town (loan) | caps8 = 19 | goals8 = 7 |
| years9 | 2013 | clubs9 = Morecambe | caps9 = 16 | goals9 = 1 |
| years10 | 2013–2017 | clubs10= Macclesfield Town | caps10 = 160 | goals10 = 25 |
| years11 | 2017–2019 | clubs11= Wrexham | caps11 = 60 | goals11 = 16 |
| years12 | 2019–2020 | clubs12= Chorley | caps12 = 27 | goals12 = 6 |
| years13 | 2020 | clubs13= Stalybridge Celtic | caps13 = 3 | goals13 = 0 |
| years14 | 2020 | clubs14= Warrington Town | caps14 = 2 | goals14 = 0 |
| totalcaps | 459 | totalgoals = 90 |
| access-date = 25 August 2025}} Christopher Holroyd (born 24 October 1986) is an English former professional footballer. Initially deployed solely as a striker, he was later also utilised as a winger.
Holroyd began his career at Crewe Alexandra, progressing through the club's youth system before joining Chester City for the final year of his scholarship. He signed professional terms in 2006 but left the club by mutual consent in July 2008, with a year remaining on his contract. The following month, Holroyd joined Conference Premier club Cambridge United. After scoring 15 goals during the first half of the 2009–10 season, Holroyd signed for League One club Brighton & Hove Albion in January 2010 for an undisclosed fee. He struggled for game time at Brighton and spent time on loan at Stevenage and Bury. At the end of the 2010–11 season, Holroyd was released by Brighton, and signed for Rotherham United in June 2011.
He moved to League One club Preston North End for an undisclosed fee in January 2012. At the start of the 2012–13 season, he joined Macclesfield Town on loan until January 2013. Upon returning to Preston, his contract was cancelled by mutual consent, and he signed for League Two club Morecambe on a free transfer in January 2013. Holroyd rejoined Macclesfield at the end of the season and went on to make 170 appearances over four years with the club. He then spent two years at National League club Wrexham, followed by a year at Chorley for the 2019–20 season. He had brief spells with Stalybridge Celtic and Warrington Town in 2020 before retiring later that year.
Career
Early career
Holroyd began his career at Crewe Alexandra, spending five years at the club as a schoolboy and a further two years as a scholar at the club's youth academy.{{cite news | access-date = 24 September 2010 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090402221930/http://www.cambridge-united.co.uk/page/ProfilesDetail/0%2C%2C10423~36903%2C00.html | archive-date = 2 April 2009 | url-status = dead
The following season, Holroyd scored his first goal in competitive football in a 4–2 Football League Trophy defeat to Carlisle United on 9 October 2007. Later that month, he registered his first Football League goal in Chester's 2–2 draw against Wycombe Wanderers.{{cite news | access-date = 24 September 2010}} He made 26 appearances in all competitions during the 2007–08 season, scoring five goals. In July 2008, Holroyd was transfer-listed by Chester in an attempt to reduce the size of their squad.{{cite news | access-date = 24 September 2010}} The following day, he left the club by mutual consent, with one year remaining on his contract, and was subsequently linked with moves elsewhere.{{cite news | access-date = 24 September 2010}}{{Cite news | access-date = 24 September 2010 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080904102216/http://www.cambridge-united.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10423~1364748%2C00.html | archive-date = 4 September 2008 | url-status = dead
Cambridge United
Holroyd signed for Conference Premier club Cambridge United on 13 August 2008 on a one-year contract, with an option for a further year. Holroyd made his debut for Cambridge in the club's 3–0 away victory against Eastbourne Borough, scoring five minutes after coming on as a 79th-minute substitute.{{cite news | access-date = 24 September 2010}} After his goalscoring debut, he went 16 matches without a goal before ending the run in a 4–0 victory over Salisbury City in December 2008.{{cite news | access-date = 24 September 2010}} Holroyd featured in all three of Cambridge's play-off matches that season, including an appearance as an 80th-minute substitute in the 2–0 defeat to Torquay United in the final.{{cite news | access-date = 2 March 2016}} He made 43 appearances in all competitions, scoring ten goals. In May 2009, the club exercised the option to extend his contract for a further year.{{cite news | access-date = 24 September 2010}}
Ahead of the 2009–10 season, Holroyd was assigned the number nine shirt following the departure of Scott Rendell.{{cite news | access-date = 24 September 2010}} He scored his first professional hat-trick four days later in a 4–2 victory over former club Chester City, a match in which Cambridge came from two goals behind.{{cite news | access-date = 24 September 2010}} Holroyd scored 15 goals during the first half of the 2009–10 season, prompting assistant manager Paul Carden to state that he expected Holroyd to leave during the January transfer window.{{cite news | access-date = 24 September 2010}} His final appearance for Cambridge came in a 1–0 home defeat to Eastbourne Borough.{{cite news | access-date = 24 September 2010}}
Brighton & Hove Albion
Holroyd joined League One club Brighton & Hove Albion on 29 January 2010. An undisclosed fee was agreed with Cambridge on 22 January, but the transfer was delayed due to protracted negotiations over personal terms. The delay led to speculation that the deal had collapsed. Holroyd made his Brighton debut the day after signing, which Holroyd described as "a surprise",{{cite news | access-date = 24 September 2010}} coming on as a 64th-minute substitute in a 1–0 defeat to Millwall.{{cite news | access-date = 24 September 2010}} He made 13 appearances during the remainder of the 2009–10 season, without scoring. He featured only twice in the 2010–11 season, with competition for places increasing following the arrival of Francisco Sandaza.{{cite web | access-date = 24 September 2010 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100927042802/http://www.seagulls.co.uk/page/Latest/0%2C%2C10433~2162847%2C00.html | archive-date = 27 September 2010 | url-status = dead | access-date = 6 May 2011}}
Stevenage and Bury loans
Holroyd subsequently joined League Two club Stevenage on a three-month loan deal on 24 September 2010. He made his debut the following day, scoring the only goal of the game in a 1–0 victory over Lincoln City at Sincil Bank.{{cite news | access-date = 25 September 2010}} Three days later, Holroyd scored a hat-trick in Stevenage's 4–1 win against Hereford United.{{cite news | access-date = 29 September 2010}}{{cite news | access-date = 29 September 2010 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101001120616/http://www.stevenagefc.com/page/MatchReport/0%2C%2C10839~51495%2C00.html | archive-date = 1 October 2010 | url-status = dead | access-date = 29 December 2010 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101231112153/http://www.seagulls.co.uk/page/Preview/0%2C%2C10433~2252648%2C00.html | archive-date = 31 December 2010 | url-status = dead
Having made only three further substitute appearances at Brighton, Holroyd joined League Two club Bury on loan on 11 March 2011, for the remainder of the 2010–11 season.{{cite news | access-date = 6 July 2011}} Holroyd made his debut the following day, coming on as a 69th-minute substitute in a goalless draw against Rotherham United,{{cite news | access-date = 6 July 2011}} and scored three days later a 2–1 home defeat to Torquay United.{{cite news | access-date = 2 March 2016}} Holroyd was recalled by Brighton on 11 April 2011,{{cite news | access-date = 6 July 2011}} having made four appearances and scored once during his loan spell.
Rotherham United
After being released by Brighton, Holroyd signed for League Two club Rotherham United on 20 June 2011 on a free transfer,{{cite news | access-date = 6 July 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110623033853/http://www.themillers.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10360~2379179%2C00.html | archive-date = 23 June 2011 | url-status = dead | access-date = 6 July 2011}} He made his debut on the opening day of the 2011–12 season, playing 72 minutes in a 1–0 home win against Oxford United.{{cite news | access-date = 2 October 2011}} Holroyd scored his only goal for Rotherham in a 2–0 home victory over Aldershot Town on 5 November 2011, scoring a glancing header as the club ended a ten-game winless run.{{cite news | access-date = 22 January 2012}} He made 19 appearances during the first half of the season, including six starts.
Preston North End
Holroyd joined League One club Preston North End for an undisclosed fee on 20 January 2012,{{cite news | access-date = 21 January 2012}} reuniting with manager Graham Westley, who had previously signed him on loan at Stevenage. He made his debut the following day in a 2–0 home defeat to Leyton Orient, playing as a right winger and earning the club's Man of the Match award.{{cite news | access-date = 22 January 2012}} Holroyd scored his only goal for Preston on 21 April 2012, heading in a Danny Mayor cross in a 1–1 draw away at Oldham Athletic.{{cite news | access-date = 22 April 2012}} He made 20 appearances during his time at Preston.
In August 2012, Holroyd joined his hometown club Macclesfield Town of the Conference Premier on loan until January 2013.{{cite news | access-date = 27 August 2012}} He made a scoring debut for the club, coming on as a substitute to score with his first touch in a 3–2 victory against Lincoln City.{{cite news | access-date = 25 August 2012}} During his loan, Holroyd scored nine goals in 23 appearances, including a hat-trick in a 4–3 win against Stockport County at Edgeley Park.{{cite news | access-date = 4 September 2012}} Upon returning to Preston in January 2013, Holroyd was informed he was not in the club's plans,{{cite news | access-date = 6 January 2013 | archive-date = 5 January 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130105231433/http://www.lep.co.uk/sport/football/national-football/luke-s-a-likely-lad-for-pne-1-5271091 | url-status = dead | access-date = 6 January 2013}}
Morecambe
Available on a free transfer following his loan spell at Macclesfield Town, Holroyd attracted interest from the club; however, no permanent deal was reached.{{cite news | access-date = 17 January 2013}} He subsequently signed for League Two club Morecambe on 17 January 2013, on a contract running until the end of the 2012–13 season.{{cite news | access-date = 17 January 2013}} Holroyd made his debut the following day, coming on as a second-half substitute in a 0–0 home draw against Cheltenham Town.{{cite news | access-date = 18 January 2013}} He scored once in 16 appearances before leaving the club upon the expiry of his contract in June 2013.
Macclesfield Town
Holroyd rejoined hometown club, Macclesfield Town, on 19 June 2013, becoming manager John Askey's first signing following his appointment.{{cite news
Wrexham
Two days after Macclesfield's FA Trophy final defeat, Holroyd signed for fellow National League club Wrexham on 23 May 2017.{{cite news
A hamstring injury disrupted the start of Holroyd's 2018–19 season,{{cite news
Further spells in non-League
Holroyd signed for newly promoted National League club Chorley on 27 June 2019. He scored his first goal for the club in a 2–2 away draw with Sutton United on 10 August 2019, and went on to score nine times in 30 appearances in all competitions. In February 2020, he joined Stalybridge Celtic of the National League North, on a contract until the end of the 2020–21 season. The season was curtailed the following month due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and Holroyd departed the club on 10 September 2020, having made three appearances.
Holroyd subsequently signed for Warrington Town on 5 October 2020,{{cite news |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240513114718/https://www.wrexhamafc.co.uk/news/2023/september/interview--chris-holroyd-previews-tranmere-clash/ |archive-date = 13 May 2024 |access-date = 15 July 2025
Style of play
Holroyd began his career as a striker and regarded it as his primary position throughout his playing career. During his time at Preston North End, he was predominantly deployed as a right winger, a role he continued in from his second season at Macclesfield Town. He described the position as more demanding due to the increased defensive responsibilities. Possessing notable pace and skill, Holroyd's versatility enabled him to play effectively in both roles. He attributed his assist contributions to his background as a striker, stating that it gave him an understanding of attacking movement and where forwards preferred to receive the ball.
Personal life
Following his retirement from professional football, Holroyd began a career in finance.
Career statistics
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Total | 46 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 51 | 5 | Total | 59 | 22 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 2 | 73 | 25 | Total | 16 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 0 | Total | 20 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 1 | Total | 160 | 25 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 0 | 181 | 26 | Total | 60 | 16 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 65 | 17 | Career total | 459 | 90 | 24 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 30 | 6 | 517 | 101 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chester City | 2006–07 | League Two | 22 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 25 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2007–08 | League Two | 24 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 26 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cambridge United | 2008–09 | Conference Premier | 35 | 10 | 2 | 0 | — | 6 | 0 | 43 | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| url=http://www.cambridge-united.co.uk/page/Fixtures/0,,10423~2009,00.html | title=Fixtures: 2009–10 | publisher=Cambridge United F.C. | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101218081420/http://www.cambridge-united.co.uk/page/Fixtures/0%2C%2C10423~2009%2C00.html | archive-date=18 December 2010 | url-status=dead}} | Conference Premier | 24 | 12 | 3 | 1 | — | 3 | 2 | 30 | 15 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Brighton & Hove Albion | 2009–10 | League One | 13 | 0 | — | — | — | 13 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2010–11 | League One | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stevenage (loan) | 2010–11 | League Two | 12 | 6 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 12 | 6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bury (loan) | 2010–11 | League Two | 4 | 1 | — | — | — | 4 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rotherham United | 2011–12 | League Two | 15 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 19 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preston North End | 2011–12 | League One | 20 | 1 | — | — | — | 20 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2012–13 | League One | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Macclesfield Town (loan) | 2012–13 | Conference Premier | 19 | 7 | 3 | 2 | — | 1 | 0 | 23 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Morecambe | 2012–13 | League Two | 16 | 1 | — | — | — | 16 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Macclesfield Town | 2013–14 | Conference Premier | 39 | 7 | 2 | 0 | — | 1 | 0 | 42 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2014–15 | Conference Premier | 37 | 4 | 2 | 0 | — | 1 | 0 | 40 | 4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2015–16 | National League | 42 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — | 4 | 0 | 47 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2016–17 | National League | 42 | 13 | 3 | 1 | — | 7 | 0 | 52 | 14 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wrexham | 2017–18 | National League | 34 | 13 | 1 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 35 | 13 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2018–19 | National League | 26 | 3 | 2 | 0 | — | 2 | 1 | 30 | 4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chorley | 2019–20 | National League | 27 | 6 | 1 | 1 | — | 2 | 2 | 30 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stalybridge Celtic | 2020–21 | National League North | 3 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Warrington Town | 2020–21 | Northern Premier League Premier Division | 2 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
Honours
Macclesfield Town
- FA Trophy runner-up: 2016–17
References
References
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- (26 January 2010). "United left hanging as Holroyd's move stalls". Cambridge Newspapers Ltd.
- Naylor, Andy. (29 January 2010). "Poyet looks elsewhere as Holroyd deal collapses.". Newsquest Media Group Ltd.
- (28 January 2010). "Holroyd deal in doubt". Sky UK.
- (24 September 2010). "Holroyd makes Boro loan move". Sky UK.
- "Season statistics 2013–14". Macclesfield Town Football Club Ltd and Geoffrey Knights.
- "Season statistics 2014–15". Macclesfield Town Football Club Ltd and Geoffrey Knights.
- {{Soccerbase season. 43982. 2018
- (27 June 2019). "Holroyd is first summer capture". Chorley FC.
- {{Soccerbase season. 43982. 2019
- "Stalybridge Celtic sign striker Holroyd". nonleaguedaily.com.
- Bugby, Tony. (14 September 2020). "Chris Holroyd leaves Stalybridge Celtic".
- {{soccerbase season. 43982. 2006
- "Playing staff 2007/08 Chris Holroyd". Steve Mansley.
- {{soccerbase season. 43982. 2008
- (4 November 2008). "Fixtures: 2008–09". Cambridge United F.C..
- "Fixtures: 2009–10". Cambridge United F.C..
- {{soccerbase season. 43982. 2009
- {{soccerbase season. 43982. 2010
- {{soccerbase season. 43982. 2011
- {{soccerbase season. 43982. 2012
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- "Season statistics 2014–15". Macclesfield Town Football Club Ltd and Geoffrey Knights.
- "C. Holroyd".
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