Jimmy Holmes played more than 140 games for Coventry - as well as playing for Ireland and Spurs
Jimmy Holmes with his autobiography, The Day My Dream Ended
Jimmy Holmes with his autobiography, The Day My Dream Ended
A Sky Blues, Spurs and Ireland footballing hero is facing a cruel 'robbery of all of his memories'.
Jimmy Holmes holds legendary status at Coventry City FC, joining the club when he was just 15, making the city his home following a move from his home in Ireland.
He went on to play 143 games for the Sky Blues as well as becoming Republic of Ireland's youngest ever full international aged just 17.
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Holmes, who now lives in Nuneaton, kept a strong bond with the Sky Blues during his career which took him to Tottenham Hotspur, the Vancouver Whitecaps, Leicester, Brentford, and Peterborough.
He went on to work as a West Midlands Police officer and received an award for disarming an armed man then, in retirement, as a former chauffeur for Nuneaton and Bedworth's Mayor.
But now the 74-year-old is being 'cruelly robbed' of the many memories he not only made for himself, but for the enjoyment of others, as he has Alzheimer’s disease.
Jimmy Holmes with his autobiography, The Day My Dream Ended
Jimmy Holmes with his autobiography, The Day My Dream Ended
Cruelly it may be linked to the sport that he dedicated so much of his life too and still loves.
"About four years ago, we'd noticed some changes in dad, and we contacted the PFA (the Professional Footballers Association) and they invited us to London to go and do some research with the Institute of Sport, for basically an assessment for for brain injury," his son James told CoventryLive.
After a series of scans, tests and checks, including memory recall tests, it was revealed that he had Alzheimer's.
"We were devastated, we still are, but we try and and keep things as normal as possible and keep him active," James said.
But the disease is slowly taking away his beloved dad's memories.
"He struggles to do the things that dad used to do. He still loves a laugh, and he's still always really bubbly and bright, but often, sadly, now, when he's talking, he'll just loses his train of thought.
"It's cruel because it robs him of his dignity and the memories."
Jimmy Holmes with his son James in the proud 'Irish man cave' he created for him in his home, displaying the many shirts from his footballing career
Jimmy Holmes with his son James in the proud 'Irish man cave' he created for him in his home, displaying the many shirts from his footballing career
But James has preserved and cherished his dad's proud footballing days memories by paying homage to him by creating an 'Irish man cave' in his home,
"It coincided when we got dad's diagnosis, I found a box of his old match worn shirts, and I created a man cave in our house of all his old shirts," James said.
"We had all of these Ireland shirts, a picture with Pele, shirts from when he was at Vancouver, Spurs, Cov and photographs so I made an Irish man cave.
"We had a bit of a celebration, we didn't tell him (his dad) about it. We just opened it up and he loved that."
Some of Jimmy Holmes proud shirts and paraphernalia in the 'Irish man cave' that James created in his home for his dad
Some of Jimmy Holmes proud shirts and paraphernalia in the 'Irish man cave' that James created in his home for his dad
There are suggestions that heading the ball could have played a part in him developing the disease.. He would not be alone, former England and West Bromwich Albion striker Jeff Astle's death was attributed to a degenerative brain disease caused by repeatedly heading heavy leather footballs during his career.
Mr Holmes, who is assistant headteacher at Coundon Court School, explained: "There's a strong connection, when we went to the Institute of Sport, there was lots of discussion about the volume of heading dad would do, and training. It was just seen as an exercise that you do to keep fit in those days, " he said
"But it it was trauma to the brain and it has likely caused damage. We won't ultimately know until he passes away but I'm pretty sure that it's a factor."
Jimmy Holmes, pictured at a CCFC Legends day
Jimmy Holmes, pictured at a CCFC Legends day
There are some 'special memories' that his dad still has of his native Ireland and he will make the journey back to Dublin with his son and family when James takes part in the Dublin Marathon, raising money for Dementia UK.
It is not just about raising money, it is about raising awareness too.
"What has happened to dad has just prompted me really just to try and kind of share and talk about this horrendous disease," the married dad-of-two said.
"It is not spoken about enough. It is also about what the families have to deal with too..
"Jane, dad's wife, as well as us. I feel so blessed that my dad is still with us and we continue to fill his life with happiness and love. However, the decline in his ability to remember, complete every day tasks and remain independent is very hard to see."
Coventry City legend Jimmy Holmes (right) with former Coventry Telegraph journalist Mike Malyon, who helped write his autobiography, and the mayoral car
Prior to the family heading off to Dublin for the race, they will be making their way down to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Monday (October 19) for the game between his dad's two former teams - Spurs and the Sky Blues..
They will meet with some of his dad's old playing friends, Ossie Ardiles and Glen Hoddle, and hope to spread more awareness about the disease - as well as funds for the cause..
"They (Spurs) have been great, they have invited us down and we're going to see them (the former Spurs players) and watch the game with them.
"Spurs have been great, they are putting something in the (matchday) programme about what I am doing for dad," he said.
"If every supporter gave £1 that would be unreal, but just to get people talking about it and the impact this has on so many lives will be great."
Jimmy Holmes in his Sky Blues pomp
He said he has set an ambitious £5,000 fundraising target. "I am not sure if we can get there," he said.
"Dad is still admired by so many in the game, which I love to hear, and every little bit will help."
The family will then travel to Dublin on Saturday, October 24 ahead of the marathon on Sunday, October 25.
"Dad still has special memories of Ireland and I am so glad that he is coming with us," he said.
"I will be running the streets he used to run and creating another memory together with him as he waits at the finish line for me."
He added: "My dad is our hero and I am doing this (the Dublin marathon) for him."
To sponsor James's run visit the GoFundMe page here
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