John Trevor Holmes (Bubbles Snr, JT) sadly passed away peacefully last week. He was 83.
A well known figure in the Huddersfield Cricket League, Trevor carved a career as one of the league’s finest wicket keepers and was a useful batsman who enjoyed a playing career spanning almost four decades.
Marsh Lane, Shepley was his first club, winning the first of his two league keeping prizes in 1960. This was followed by a couple of spells for a dominant Holmfirth team in the mid to-late 1960’s winning both the Sykes cup and Byrom shield during that decorated period.
Whilst playing at Slaithwaite in the ‘summer of 1969, Holmes trialled at Somerset and was chosen to play alongside Greg Chappell against the legendary West Indies touring side at Taunton, who amongst others included Clive Lloyd, Sir Garfield Sobers (who JT hit for a big six in the second innings!), Roy Fredericks, Lance Gibbs, Vanburn Holder and Jackie Hendricks. In Trevor’s words, this was a ‘truly unforgettable experience’ and a career highlight to savour.
Bradford league side Hartshead Moor enticed him to play for a couple of seasons to take him away from our local league and both his sons Chris and Richard fondly recall during cricket matches they set up goals and regularly had a kickabout on the soon-to-be-completed M62!
A strongly assembled Broad Oak side became the next port of call in 1974 where he again earned Sykes Cup and Byrom Shield successes, along with another Cyril Thorpe best keeping trophy and played in the memorable Whitbread Village knockout final at Lords (losing to Welsh side St Fagans) in 1981.
His final playing days were seen out just down the hill at Linthwaite CC as he set about helping dramatically restore the club’s fortunes both on and especially off the field. For over 20 years, alongside his devoted wife/secretary Hilary, they both became a fulcrum at the club which became a family labour of love. Both his sons Chris and Richard, along with stepson Richard all played in the same team at ‘Linfit’ with stepdaughter Vicky (later of Scholes and Armitage Bridge) scoring too!
Trevor was selected for the Huddersfield League team on numerous occasions, regularly swapping places with another fine glove man, the late great Geoff Hodgson. He was a talented sportsman guarding the goals for the Huddersfield District Football League for many years and won many trophies along the way for Brockholes CYC, Holmes Holset and Wooldale Wanderers. After his playing days had ended he was a successful coach for Hepworth Utd FC.
Outside of sport, he had an architects business (JT Design) and many housing developments and private projects around the Holme Valley/Huddersfield area were of his design, being measured and ‘hand technically drawn’ with patience and detail, prior to building approval. These included the Hotels at Durker Roods, Meltham, The Old Golf house at Outlane and Old Bridge, Holmfirth to name a few.
Trevor’s funeral will take place at Christ Church New Mill on Thursday 22nd December at 11am and those who knew him are invited to attend.
