Oldham Athletic
Perhaps Holden's best years were at Lancashire outfit Oldham Athletic. He joined the club at the right time in 1989, just as the club was about to embark on one of its most famous seasons in its history, better known as the "pinch-me season", when the club reached the semi-final of the FA Cup and the final of the League Cup. Holden appeared in 64 of the club's 65 games; the disappointing end to the season only spurred him on as he helped the club to the Second Division title the following season. Holden was ever-present in the club's first season in the top flight for 68 years, but, towards the end of the season, following a disagreement with manager Joe Royle, he transferred to Manchester City in July 1992.
Following a season at City and the club's change in management early in the 1993/94 season, new manager Brian Horton wasn't favourable of Holden and he chose to return to Boundary Park, where again he was ever-present as the club reached the semi-final of the FA Cup, only for the club to be relegated From the Premier League. He opted to stay with the club despite the decline, but further problems were to come when Joe Royle left the club to manage Everton; new manager Graeme Sharp, favouring Mark Brennan on the left, left Holden in the reserves, much to the fans' dismay as the club struggled to avoid relegation.
He finished his career with Blackpool in 1995/96 and became manager of Manx club Peel.
Prior to and during, his professional football career, he gained a degree in Human Movement at Leeds Carnegie College and a degree in Physiotherapy from the University of Salford
Following retirement from professional football, he worked at Nobles Isle of Man hospital and became head of outpatient physiotherapy department. He then went into private practice at the Mount Murray Hotel.
He subsequently became assistant manager and head physio at Barnsley in 2004 to managers Paul Hart and former Oldham team-mate Andy Ritchie. With Ritchie, he helped Barnsley gain promotion to the Championship in 2006.
In 2007, he returned to the Isle of Man and opened Island Physiotherapy, based at the football club Peel FC, where he was once again manager of the team until August 2010.
He has three children, William, Alexander and Ellen.
Read more about this topic: Rick Holden
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