Tributes paid to former Walsall player Eddie Holding
Tributes have been paid to former Saddlers player Eddie Holding, who has died aged 83.
Holding made 41 appearances for Walsall in two spells during the early 1950s, scoring eight goals.
He died on Sunday after a long battle with prostate cancer. Fans today described him as a 'great player.'
Steve Davies, secretary of Walsall Football Supporters Trust, said: "I met Eddie for the first time when he came to watch Walsall take on Aston Villa during a special match celebrating the club's 125th anniversary last year.
"He came with his son and he really enjoyed himself because it had been quite some time since he had been to the ground.
"Sometimes people only focus on well-known names when they die, but everyone that plays in the shirt is an important part of a club's history and I would say Eddie is just as much a part of history as Bert Williams was for Wolves.
"Eddie always maintained an interest in The Saddlers was was a member of the Former Players Association. He was also one of the first in the area to attain his FA coaching badge and he managed Staffordshire County's youth team and helped train footballers Phil Parkes, Ray Train and Keith Ball, when they were young.
"He was a great player and I was really saddened to hear of his death. Everyone at the trust would like to offer Eddie's family and friends their heartfelt condolences."
Joining the club as an amateur in 1947, Holding turned pro in January 1949 and made his debut the following season. He established himself in the side in1951-52, making 25 appearances at right-back.
Saddlers matchday programme and website editor, Andrew Poole, said: "Eddie was one of our former players and a part of the Walsall FC family.
"He joined us in the late 40s and played throughout the 50s and he gave the club great service. It is always sad when one of our own passes and the thoughts of everyone here at Banks's Stadium are with his family."
One of Holding's most notable moments was when he scored a hat-trick against Brighton on Christmas Day in 1953, during what was his second spell with the club having briefly moved to Derby County.
