Chris Holroyd
{{Short description|English footballer (born 1986)}}
{{Use British English|date=June 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2020}}
{{good article}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Chris Holroyd
| image =
| caption =
| fullname = Christopher Holroyd{{Hugman|23439|access-date=18 July 2018}}
| height = {{height|ft=5|in=11}}{{Cite web
| title = Chris Holroyd – ESPN
| url = http://soccernet.espn.go.com/players/stats?id=83493&cc=5739
| archive-url = https://archive.today/20130103032549/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/players/stats?id=83493&cc=5739
| url-status = dead
| archive-date = 3 January 2013
| publisher = ESPN Soccernet
| access-date = 23 September 2010}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1986|10|24|df=y}}{{cite web |url=https://www.11v11.com/players/chris-holroyd-225195/ |title=Chris Holroyd|website=11v11.com |publisher=AFS Enterprises |access-date=16 July 2018}}
| birth_place = Macclesfield, England{{cite book|editor1-first=Glenda|editor1-last=Rollin|editor2-first=Jack|editor2-last=Rollin|title=Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2012–2013|year=2012|publisher=Headline|location=London|isbn=978-0-7553-6356-8|page=516|edition=43rd}}
| currentclub =
| clubnumber =
| position = Striker
| youthyears1 = 2003–2005 | youthclubs1 = Crewe Alexandra
| youthyears2 = 2005–2006 | youthclubs2 = Chester City
| years1 = 2006–2008 | clubs1 = Chester City | caps1 = 47 | goals1 = 4
| years2 = 2008–2010 | clubs2 = Cambridge United | caps2 = 60 | 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 = 143 | goals10 = 23
| 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
| club-update = 17:23, 5 April 2021 (UTC)
}}
Christopher Holroyd (born 24 October 1986) is an English professional footballer who plays as a striker. Holroyd started his football career at Crewe Alexandra, progressing through the club's youth system. He subsequently joined Chester City for the third year of his scholarship, and signed professional terms in 2006. In July 2008, Holroyd left Chester by mutual agreement with a year remaining on his contract.
A month later, in August 2008, Holroyd signed for Conference Premier side Cambridge United, scoring ten goals in his first season with the club. The following season, Holroyd's goalscoring form which saw him score 18 goals during the first half of the 2009–10 campaign, culminated into a move to League One side Brighton & Hove Albion for an undisclosed fee in January 2010. In September 2010, Holroyd joined Stevenage on a three-month loan deal. He was loaned out again in March 2011 to Bury, playing a handful of games. At the end of the 2010–11 season, Holroyd was released by Brighton, and was subsequently signed by Rotherham United in June 2011. He joined League One side Preston North End for an undisclosed fee in January 2012. In September 2012, Holroyd joined Macclesfield Town on loan until January 2013. On returning to his parent club, his contract was cancelled by mutual consent. He signed for Morecambe of League Two on a free transfer in January 2013, and rejoined Macclesfield at the end of the season.
Career
=Early career=
Holroyd began his career at Crewe Alexandra, spending five years at the club as a schoolboy, as well as a further two years as a scholar at the club's "highly rated youth academy".{{cite news
| title = Chris Holroyd – Cambridge United profile
| url = http://www.cambridge-united.co.uk/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10423~36903,00.html
| publisher = Cambridge United F.C.
| 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
| df = dmy-all
| title = Stevenage v Burton Albion matchday programme
| publisher = Stevenage F.C.
| year = 2010
| page = 28 }} Holroyd left Crewe after he was not offered a professional contract entering his third year of scholarship and joined Chester City, signing professional terms in 2006 after scoring 21 goals in 28 stats for Chester's youth team in the Football League Youth Alliance. He made his first-team debut for Chester at the start of the 2006–07 season, coming on as a 75th-minute substitute in Chester's 2–1 home defeat to Wrexham.{{cite news |date=20 August 2006 |title=Chester 1–2 Wrexham |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/4786555.stm |publisher=BBC Sport}} Chris Holroyd has also played for Chester, Brighton, Preston North End and Macclesfield Town.{{Cite news |title=Striker Holroyd agrees new Wrexham deal |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/44112028 |access-date=2024-05-13 |work=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}
The following season, Holroyd scored his first goal for Chester in a competitive match in October 2007, scoring a consolation goal in a 4–2 Football League Trophy defeat at Carlisle United.{{soccerbase season|43982|2007|access-date=2 March 2016}} His first Football League goal followed later in the month in Chester's 2–2 draw with Wycombe Wanderers, scoring from eight yards to restore parity in the match.{{cite news
| title = Chester 2–2 Wycombe
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/7054080.stm
| publisher = BBC Sport
| date = 27 October 2007
| access-date = 24 September 2010}} Holroyd scored his second goal of the season in a 5–3 defeat at Morecambe,{{cite news
| title = Morecambe 5–3 Chester
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/7157270.stm
| publisher = BBC Sport
| date = 26 December 2007
| access-date = 24 September 2010}} as well as twice in a 3–3 draw at Accrington Stanley.{{cite news
| title = Accrington 3–3 Chester
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/7163981.stm
| publisher = BBC Sport
| date = 5 January 2008
| access-date = 24 September 2010}} He also made a further two assists towards the latter stages of the 2007–08 campaign in victories against Mansfield Town and Darlington respectively.{{cite news
| title = Chris Holroyd 2007/08
| url = http://www.espnfc.com/player/83493/chris-holroyd?season=2007
| publisher = ESPN FC
| access-date = 2 March 2016}} Holroyd played 26 games in all competitions for Chester during the season, scoring five times. In July 2008, he was transfer-listed by the club in an attempt to reduce the size of their squad.{{cite news
| title = Chester complete Mozika signing
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/chester/7523762.stm
| publisher = BBC Sport
| date = 24 July 2008
| access-date = 24 September 2010}} A day after being transfer-listed, Holroyd left Chester by mutual agreement with a year remaining on his contract, while being linked with a transfer to other clubs.{{cite news
| title = Chester part company with Holroyd
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/chester/7525512.stm
| publisher = BBC Sport
| date = 25 July 2008
| access-date = 24 September 2010}}{{Cite news
| title= Holroyd parts company with Blues | url=http://www.chesterchronicle.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/holroyd-parts-company-with-blues-5236942 | newspaper=Chester Chronicle | date=25 July 2008 | access-date= 2 March 2016}} During his time without a club, Holroyd rejected the option of trialling with AFC Bournemouth.{{cite news
| title = U's Sign New Striker
| url = http://www.cambridge-united.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10423~1364748,00.html
| publisher = Cambridge United F.C.
| date = 13 August 2008
| 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
| df = dmy-all
}}
=Cambridge United=
A month later, Holroyd signed for Conference Premier side Cambridge United on a one-year contract, with the option of a further year. Holroyd made his debut for Cambridge in the club's 3–0 away win at Eastbourne Borough, coming on as a 79th-minute substitute and scoring five minutes later to give Cambridge a three-goal lead.{{cite news
| title = Eastbourne 0–3 Cambridge Utd
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/7565191.stm
| publisher = BBC Sport
| date = 23 August 2008
| access-date = 24 September 2010}} After scoring on his debut, Holroyd went sixteen games without scoring, ending his goal drought in a 4–0 victory over Salisbury City in December 2008.{{cite news
| title = Cambridge Utd 4–0 Salisbury City
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/7779384.stm
| publisher = BBC Sport
| date = 20 December 2008
| access-date = 24 September 2010}} In February 2009, Holroyd scored in successive away victories for Cambridge, scoring from the penalty spot against Rushden & Diamonds,{{cite news
| title = Rushden & Diamonds 1–2 Cambridge Utd
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/7858293.stm
| publisher = BBC Sport
| date = 1 February 2009
| access-date = 24 September 2010}} before scoring twice away at Kidderminster Harriers.{{cite news
| title = Kidderminster 1–3 Cambridge Utd
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/7892962.stm
| publisher = BBC Sport
| date = 17 February 2009
| access-date = 24 September 2010}} A month later, he scored three goals within the space of three days, scoring two second-half goals in Cambridge's 2–0 win at Barrow,{{cite news
| title = Barrow 0–2 Cambridge Utd
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/7935564.stm
| publisher = BBC Sport
| date = 17 March 2009
| access-date = 24 September 2010}} as well as netting against Northwich Victoria.{{cite news
| title = Cambridge Utd 4–1 Northwich Victoria
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/7942063.stm
| publisher = BBC Sport
| date = 14 March 2009
| access-date = 24 September 2010}} Holroyd scored his ninth goal of the season from the penalty spot as Cambridge came from a goal behind to beat Eastbourne Borough 2–1.{{cite news
| title = Cambridge Utd 2–1 Eastbourne
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/7982018.stm
| publisher = BBC Sport
| date = 11 April 2009
| access-date = 24 September 2010}} Two days later, he scored once more, again from the penalty spot, this time away at Kettering Town.{{cite news
| title = Kettering 1–2 Cambridge Utd
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/7982073.stm
| publisher = BBC Sport
| date = 13 April 2009
| access-date = 24 September 2010}} Holroyd also featured in all three of Cambridge's play-off games, coming on as an 80th-minute substitute in Cambridge's 2–0 loss in the final to Torquay United.{{cite news
| title = Cambridge Utd 0–2 Torquay Utd
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/8038429.stm |first=Emlyn |last=Begley
| publisher = BBC Sport
| date = 17 May 2009
| access-date = 2 March 2016}} He played a total of 43 times for Cambridge during the campaign, scoring ten goals. In May 2009, Cambridge United exercised the option to extend the contract of Holroyd for the following season.{{cite news
| title = Holroyd signs Cambridge extension
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/cambridge_utd/8062073.stm
| publisher = BBC Sport
| date = 21 May 2009
| access-date = 24 September 2010}}
Ahead of the 2009–10 season, Holroyd was assigned the number nine shirt following the departure of fellow striker Scott Rendell.{{cite news
| title = Rendell completes U's loan move
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/cambridge_utd/7838153.stm
| publisher = BBC Sport
| date = 19 January 2009
| access-date = 24 September 2010}} He started the club's first match of the season, playing the whole game in a 2–0 home defeat to Barrow.{{cite news
| title = Cambridge Utd 0–2 Barrow
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/8183920.stm
| publisher = BBC Sport
| date = 8 August 2009
| access-date = 24 September 2010}} Three days later, he scored twice in Cambridge's 3–1 win against Ebbsfleet United, scoring both goals.{{cite news
| title = Ebbsfleet 1–3 Cambridge Utd
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/8192460.stm
| publisher = BBC Sport
| date = 11 August 2009
| access-date = 24 September 2010}} Holroyd scored his first professional hat-trick four days later, scoring against his former employers, Chester City, as Cambridge came from two goals down to win the match 4–2. One of his goals included an audacious over head kick, 15 yards from goal.{{cite news
| title = Chester City 2–4 Cambridge Utd
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/8203291.stm
| publisher = BBC Sport
| date = 15 August 2009
| access-date = 24 September 2010}} Holroyd scored four goals in two games shortly after, netting against Gateshead and Forest Green Rovers respectively.{{cite news
| title = Cambridge Utd 3–0 Gateshead
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/8220675.stm
| publisher = BBC Sport
| date = 29 August 2009
| access-date = 24 September 2010}}{{cite news
| title = Cambridge Utd 7–0 Forest Green
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/8234240.stm
| publisher = BBC Sport
| date = 5 September 2009
| access-date = 24 September 2010}} He scored a further two goals in Cambridge's 4–3 home loss to Luton Town in September 2009, taking his goal tally to eleven for the season.{{cite news
| title = Cambridge Utd 3–4 Luton Town
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/8275240.stm
| publisher = BBC Sport
| date = 26 September 2009
| access-date = 24 September 2010}} His twelfth goal of the season came against Cambridge's local rivals, Histon, Holroyd netting with just nine minutes remaining in a 1–1 draw.{{cite news
| title = Histon 1–1 Cambridge Utd
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/8284668.stm
| publisher = BBC Sport
| date = 4 October 2009
| access-date = 24 September 2010}} A week later, he scored from the penalty spot in Cambridge's 4–0 win against Ebbsfleet United.{{cite news
| title = Cambridge Utd 4–0 Ebbsfleet
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/8294522.stm
| publisher = BBC Sport
| date = 10 October 2009
| access-date = 24 September 2010}} His fine goalscoring form continued into November 2009, scoring in victories against Kidderminster Harriers and Ilkeston Town respectively.{{cite news
| title = Cambridge Utd 2–0 Kidderminster
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/8317047.stm
| publisher = BBC Sport
| date = 31 October 2009
| access-date = 24 September 2010}}{{cite news
| title = Cambridge Utd 4–0 Ilkeston Town
| url = http://www.soccerbase.com/results3.sd?gameid=602379
| archive-url = https://archive.today/20130204015649/http://www.soccerbase.com/results3.sd?gameid=602379
| url-status = dead
| archive-date = 4 February 2013
| publisher = Soccerbase
| date = 7 November 2009
| access-date = 24 September 2010
}} After his goal against Ilkeston Town, Holroyd did not find the net until the end of December 2009, scoring just before half-time for Cambridge as they lost 2–1 at Mansfield Town.{{cite news
| title = Mansfield 2–1 Cambridge Utd
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/8423428.stm
| publisher = BBC Sport
| date = 28 December 2009
| access-date = 24 September 2010}} A week later, Cambridge United assistant manager, Paul Carden, said that he expected Holroyd to leave the club in the January transfer window.{{cite news
| title = Cambridge boss Paul Carden fears Chris Holroyd exit
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/cambridge_utd/8444533.stm
| publisher = BBC Sport
| date = 6 January 2010
| access-date = 24 September 2010}} He subsequently played his last game for the club in Cambridge's 1–0 home defeat to Eastbourne Borough.{{cite news
| title = Cambridge Utd 0–1 Eastbourne
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/8444021.stm
| publisher = BBC Sport
| date = 16 January 2010
| access-date = 24 September 2010}} During the first half of the 2009–10 season, Holroyd scored 15 goals in 25 games for Cambridge.
=Brighton & Hove Albion=
Holroyd joined League One team Brighton & Hove Albion on 29 January 2010.{{Cite news | title= Holroyd Completes Move to Brighton | url= http://www.cambridge-united.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10423~1948983,00.html | publisher= Cambridge United F.C. | date= 29 January 2010 | access-date= 29 January 2010 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100201035524/http://www.cambridge-united.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10423~1948983%2C00.html | archive-date= 1 February 2010 | url-status= dead | df= dmy-all }} An undisclosed fee was agreed between Cambridge United and Brighton on 22 January, but the transfer was not finalised until a week later due to negotiations over personal terms between player and club.{{Cite news|title=United left hanging as Holroyd's move stalls |url=http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/cn_sport_camb_utd/displayarticle.asp?id=479306 |newspaper=Cambridge News |date=26 January 2010 |access-date=26 January 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120322081949/http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/cn_sport_camb_utd/displayarticle.asp?id=479306 |archive-date=22 March 2012 }} The intervening period led to much speculation that the deal had collapsed.{{Cite news | title= Poyet looks elsewhere as Holroyd deal collapses. | url= http://www.theargus.co.uk/sport/4878974.Poyet_looks_elsewhere_as_Holroyd_deal_collapses/ |first=Andy |last=Naylor |newspaper=The Argus |location=Brighton | date=29 January 2010 | access-date= 2 March 2016}}{{Cite news | title= Holroyd deal in doubt | url= http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11741_5891416,00.html | publisher= Sky Sports | date=28 January 2010 | access-date= 29 January 2010}} Holroyd made his Brighton debut just a day after signing, which came as a surprise,{{cite news
| title = Brighton striker Chris Holroyd surprised by debut
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/brighton/8508622.stm
| publisher = BBC Sport
| date = 10 February 2010
| access-date = 24 September 2010}} coming on as a 64th-minute substitute in a 1–0 defeat to Millwall.{{cite news
| title = Brighton 0–1 Millwall
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/8480568.stm
| publisher = BBC Sport
| date = 30 January 2010
| access-date = 24 September 2010}} Holroyd featured a total of 13 times during the latter stages of the club's 2009–10 campaign, failing to score. The following season, Holroyd found first-team opportunities hard to come by, featuring just twice in games against Northampton Town and Walsall. He slipped further down the pecking order following Francisco Sandaza's arrival at the club.{{cite web
| title = Holroyd Goes on Loan
| url = http://www.seagulls.co.uk/page/Latest/0,,10433~2162847,00.html
| publisher = Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.
| date = 23 September 2010
| 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
| df = dmy-all
}} Brighton manager Gus Poyet said that Holroyd "needs to play in a different environment to try and re-establish himself", as well as saying "he needs to play regularly". In May 2011 the club announced that he would be released at the end of the season following the ending of his current contract, along with five other players.{{cite news
| title = Poyet to release six of Brighton and Hove Albion squad
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/13309009.stm
| publisher = BBC Sport
| date = 6 May 2011
| access-date = 6 May 2011}}
==Stevenage and Bury loans==
Holroyd signed for League Two club Stevenage on a three-month loan deal in September 2010.{{cite news |url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11741/6396421/holroyd-makes-boro-loan-move |title=Holroyd makes Boro loan move |publisher=Sky Sports |date=24 September 2010 |access-date=2 March 2016}} He made his debut the next day, scoring the only goal of the game in the club's 1–0 win over Lincoln City at Sincil Bank.{{cite news
| title = Lincoln City 0–1 Stevenage
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/9016363.stm
| publisher = BBC Sport
| date = 25 September 2010
| access-date = 25 September 2010}} Three days later, Holroyd scored a hat-trick in Stevenage's 4–1 victory against Hereford United, taking his tally up to four goals in two games.{{cite news
| title = Hereford 1–4 Stevenage
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/9031921.stm
| publisher = BBC Sport
| date = 29 September 2010
| access-date = 29 September 2010}}{{cite news
| title = Hereford Utd 1–4 Stevenage
| url = http://www.stevenagefc.com/page/MatchReport/0,,10839~51495,00.html
| publisher = Stevenage F.C.
| date = 29 September 2010
| 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
| df = dmy-all
}} Stevenage manager Graham Westley said "He's lethal, we knew that before he came to the club. He's been very impressive in his two games so far, his work ethic is excellent and he is a constant menace for opposition defences". Holroyd scored his fifth goal for Stevenage in the club's 2–1 home win against Burton Albion, turning sharply in the box to restore Stevenage's lead in the second-half.{{cite news
| title = Stevenage FC 2–1 Burton Albion
| url = http://www.stevenagefc.com/page/MatchReport/0,,10839~51616,00.html
| publisher = Stevenage F.C
| date = 16 October 2010
| access-date = 16 October 2010
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110527085924/http://www.stevenagefc.com/page/MatchReport/0%2C%2C10839~51616%2C00.html
| archive-date = 27 May 2011
| url-status = dead
| df = dmy-all
}} Earlier on in the same game, he missed a penalty after originally being fouled in the area.{{cite news
| title = Stevenage 2–1 Burton Albion
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/9075278.stm
| publisher = BBC Sport
| date = 16 October 2010
| access-date = 16 October 2010}} Holroyd scored his sixth goal for Stevenage in a 1–1 draw against Shrewsbury Town.{{cite news
| title = Stevenage 1–1 Shrewsbury
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/9173638.stm
| publisher = BBC Sport
| date = 13 November 2010
| access-date = 13 November 2010}} Due to a host of postponements,{{cite news
| title = Bury P–P Stevenage
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/9255415.stm
| publisher = BBC Sport
| date = 17 December 2010
| access-date = 17 December 2010}}{{cite news
| title = Stevenage P–P Oxford Utd
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/9305634.stm
| publisher = BBC Sport
| date = 26 December 2010
| access-date = 26 December 2010}}{{cite news
| title = Burton P–P Stevenage
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/9305459.stm
| publisher = BBC Sport
| date = 28 December 2010
| access-date = 28 December 2010}} Holroyd's final game for the club was a 1–0 home loss to Northampton Town on 11 December,{{cite news
| title = Stevenage 0–1 Northampton Town
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/9255063.stm
| publisher = BBC Sport
| date = 11 December 2010
| access-date = 11 December 2010}} and he returned to his parent club on Boxing Day.{{cite news
| title = Team News: Albion v Charlton Athletic
| url = http://www.seagulls.co.uk/page/Preview/0,,10433~2252648,00.html
| publisher = Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.
| date = 28 December 2010
| 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
| df = dmy-all
}} During his three-month loan spell, Holroyd scored six goals in twelve games.
In March 2011, after making three substitute appearances for Brighton, Holroyd was loaned out to another League Two side in the form of Bury.{{cite news
| title = Bury sign striker Chris Holroyd on loan from Brighton
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bury/9422551.stm
| publisher = BBC Sport
| date = 11 March 2011
| access-date = 6 July 2011}} His loan spell ran until the end of the 2010–11 season. Holroyd made his debut a day after signing for the club, coming on as a 69th-minute substitute in a 0–0 draw at Rotherham United.{{cite news
| title = Rotherham 0–0 Bury
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/9419028.stm
| publisher = BBC Sport
| date = 12 March 2011
| access-date = 6 July 2011}} Three days later, Holroyd scored in a 2–1 home loss to Torquay United.{{cite news
| title = Bury 1–2 Torquay
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/12733939.stm
| publisher = BBC Sport
| date = 15 March 2011
| access-date = 2 March 2016}} Brighton opted to recall Holroyd on 11 April 2011.{{cite news
| title = Brighton recall striker Chris Holroyd from Bury
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/13036411.stm
| publisher = BBC Sport
| date = 11 April 2011
| access-date = 6 July 2011}} He made four appearances for Bury during his loan spell, scoring one goal.
=Rotherham United=
After being released by Brighton, Holroyd signed for League Two side Rotherham United on 20 June 2011.{{cite news
| title = Holroyd checks in with Millers
| url = http://www.themillers.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10360~2379179,00.html
| publisher = Rotherham United F.C.
| date = 20 June 2011
| 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
| df = dmy-all
}} He joined the club on a free transfer, signing a two-year contract.{{cite news
| title = Rotherham United sign Chris Holroyd and Luke Foster
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/13847067.stm
| publisher = BBC Sport
| date = 20 June 2011
| access-date = 6 July 2011}} Holroyd made his Rotherham debut in the club's 1–0 home win against Oxford United on 6 August 2011, playing 72 minutes of the match.{{cite news
| title = Rotherham 1–0 Oxford
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/14351877.stm
| publisher = BBC Sport
| date = 6 August 2011
| access-date = 2 October 2011}} He scored his first goal for Rotherham in a 2–0 home victory against Aldershot Town in November 2011, scoring a glancing header to double Rotherham's advantage on their way to recording their first victory in ten games.{{cite news
| title = Rotherham 2–0 Aldershot
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/15504526.stm
| publisher = BBC Sport
| date = 5 November 2011
| access-date = 22 January 2012}} It was to be Holroyd's only goal for the club, making a total of 19 appearances in the first half of the 2011–12 campaign, of which only six were starting appearances even though Holroyd was the club's top scorer in pre-season games.{{citation needed|date=March 2016}}
=Preston North End=
Holroyd joined League One club Preston North End for an undisclosed fee on 20 January 2012.{{cite news
| title = Preston North End sign Procter, Holroyd & McAllister
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/16658012.stm
| publisher = BBC Sport
| date = 20 January 2012
| access-date = 21 January 2012}} The move meant that Holroyd was again playing under the management of Graham Westley, who had signed him on loan during his time at Stevenage. He made his debut a day later playing in a new position on the right wing and winning the man of the match award in a 2–0 home defeat to Leyton Orient.{{cite news
| title = Preston 0–2 Leyton Orient
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/16559849.stm
| publisher = BBC Sport
| date = 21 January 2012
| access-date = 22 January 2012}} Holroyd scored his first goal for Preston on 21 April 2012, heading in a Danny Mayor cross at the back post in a 1–1 draw away at Oldham Athletic.{{cite news
| title = Oldham 1–1 Preston
| url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17711673
| publisher = BBC Sport
| date = 21 April 2012
| access-date = 22 April 2012}} In total, Holroyd made 20 appearances for Preston, where he was played mostly as a traditional right winger.{{citation needed|date=March 2016}}
In August 2012, Holroyd joined his hometown club, Conference Premier side Macclesfield Town, on loan until January 2013.{{cite news
| title = Macclesfield sign Preston striker Chris Holroyd on loan
| url =https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19380295
| publisher = BBC Sport
| date = 25 August 2012
| access-date = 27 August 2012}} He made a scoring debut for the club, coming off the bench to score with his first touch in a 3–2 win against Lincoln City.{{cite news
| title = Lincoln 2–3 Macclesfield
| url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19304233
| publisher = BBC Sport
| date = 25 August 2012
| access-date = 25 August 2012}} In the fourth appearance of his loan spell, Holroyd scored a hat-trick as Macclesfield defeated Stockport County 4–3 at Edgeley Park.{{cite news
| title = Stockport 3–4 Macclesfield
| url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19394704
| publisher = BBC Sport
| date = 4 September 2012
| access-date = 4 September 2012}} Holroyd scored his fifth goal for Macclesfield in a 2–2 away draw with Gateshead, coming on as a substitute and equalising late-on.{{cite news
| title = Gateshead 2–2 Macclesfield
| url = http://www.mtfc.co.uk/news/article/gateshead-2-2-macclesfield-091012-418070.aspx
| publisher = Macclesfield Town F.C.
| date = 9 October 2012
| access-date = 9 October 2012}} He went on to score nine times in 23 appearances during the five-month loan spell, including two goals in a 4–1 FA Cup victory over Barrow that ensured Macclesfield progressed to the third round of the competition.{{cite news
| title = Macclesfield 4–1 Barrow
| url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20822873
| publisher = BBC Sport
| date = 29 December 2012
| access-date = 6 January 2013}}
Holroyd returned to Preston in January 2013, and was told he did not feature in the club's plans.{{cite news
| title = Luke's a likely lad for PNE
| url = http://www.lep.co.uk/sport/football/national-football/luke-s-a-likely-lad-for-pne-1-5271091
| newspaper = Lancashire Evening Post
| date = 3 January 2013
| 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
}} With his contract expiring in June 2013, Holroyd's contract was cancelled by mutual consent.{{cite news
| title = Holroyd leaves the club
| url = http://www.pnefc.net/news/article/holroyd-leaves-the-club-579382.aspx
| publisher = Preston North End F.C.
| date = 4 January 2013
| access-date = 6 January 2013}}
=Morecambe=
Available on a free transfer, Holroyd attracted the interest of Macclesfield Town, having just spent five months on loan with the club.{{cite news
| title = Striker unavailable for Cardiff game, but Silkmen hope to sign.
| url = http://www.mtfc.co.uk/news/article/chris-holroyd-040113-579532.aspx
| publisher = Macclesfield Town F.C.
| date = 4 January 2013
| access-date = 17 January 2013}} However, no permanent transfer materialised, and, on 17 January 2013, he signed for League Two club Morecambe on a contract until the end of the 2012–13 season.{{cite news
| title = Chris Holroyd: Morecambe sign ex-Preston North End striker
| url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21067359
| publisher = BBC Sport
| date = 17 January 2013
| access-date = 17 January 2013}} Holroyd made his debut a day after signing for the club, coming on as a second-half substitute in a 0–0 home draw against Cheltenham Town.{{cite news
| title = Morecambe 0–0 Cheltenham
| url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20982125
| publisher = BBC Sport
| date = 18 January 2013
| access-date = 18 January 2013}}
=Macclesfield Town=
On 19 June 2013, it was announced that Holroyd had re-signed for Macclesfield Town.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/22969143|title=Chris Holroyd: Macclesfield return for ex-Morecambe striker|date=19 June 2013|via=www.bbc.co.uk}}
In June 2015, he signed a new contract with the club for the upcoming season.{{Cite web|url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/chris-holroyd-becomes-latest-macclesfield-9400566|title=Chris Holroyd becomes latest Macclesfield Town man to re-sign|first=Ben|last=Collins|date=5 June 2015|website=Manchester Evening News}}
=Wrexham=
He then moved to Wrexham.
=Chorley=
He then joined Chorley in June 2019.{{cite news |url=https://www.chorleyfc.com/2019/06/27/holroyd-added-to-squad/ |title=Holroyd is first summer capture |publisher=Chorley FC |date=27 June 2019 |access-date=27 June 2019 |archive-date=27 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190627193122/https://www.chorleyfc.com/2019/06/27/holroyd-added-to-squad/ |url-status=dead }} He made 30 appearances for the club, scoring nine goals.
=Stalybridge Celtic=
In February 2020 he joined Stalybridge Celtic until the end of the 2020–21 season.{{cite web |title=Stalybridge Celtic sign striker Holroyd |url=https://nonleaguedaily.com/stalybridge-celtic-sign-striker-holroyd/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200218202058/https://nonleaguedaily.com/stalybridge-celtic-sign-striker-holroyd/ |url-status=usurped |archive-date=18 February 2020 |publisher=nonleaguedaily.com |access-date=18 February 2020}} However, after only getting playing time in three games, he left the club on 10 September 2020.{{Cite web|url=https://www.tamesidecorrespondent.co.uk/2020/09/14/chris-holroyd-leaves-stalybridge-celtic/|title=Chris Holroyd leaves Stalybridge Celtic|first=Tony|last=Bugby|date=14 September 2020}}
=Warrington Town=
On 5 October 2020, Holroyd joined Warrington Town.[https://www.warringtonguardian.co.uk/sport/18770703.warrington-town-sign-striker-chris-holroyd/ Warrington Town sign striker Chris Holroyd], warringtonguardian.co.uk, 5 October 2020 He left the club again exactly one month later.[https://www.warringtonguardian.co.uk/sport/18850267.new-signings-departures-confirmed-warrington-town/ New signings and departures confirmed by Warrington Town], warringtonguardian.co.uk, 5 November 2020{{Cite web |title=INTERVIEW {{!}} Chris Holroyd previews Tranmere clash |url=https://www.wrexhamafc.co.uk/news/2023/september/interview--chris-holroyd-previews-tranmere-clash/ |access-date=2024-05-13 |website=wrexhamafc.co.uk |language=en-gb}}
Career statistics
:{{updated|match played 2 May 2019}}
{{notelist}}
Honours
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Soccerbase}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Holroyd, Chris}}
Category:English men's footballers
Category:Chester City F.C. players
Category:Cambridge United F.C. players
Category:Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. players
Category:Stevenage F.C. players
Category:Rotherham United F.C. players
Category:Preston North End F.C. players
Category:Macclesfield Town F.C. players
Category:Morecambe F.C. players
Category:Wrexham A.F.C. players
Category:Warrington Town F.C. players
Category:English Football League players
Category:National League (English football) players
Category:Men's association football forwards
Category:Footballers from Macclesfield