PGRFC can confirm that veteran outside half Graham (Holly) Holroyd has left the club with immediate effect. Holroyd 36, has taken up a player coach role with Oldham RLFC and goes with the best wishes of all at Lightfoot Green. Holroyd who has formerly played for Leeds Rhinos, Halifax RLFC and Halifax RUFC has made 21 starting appearances and one replacement appearance for the club during the current season. In that time he has scored 193 points comprising 44 conversions and 35 penalties with a success rate of 85.11%.
Graham Holroyd knocks over another kick
Speaking on his departure, Gareth Dyer said on behalf of the club “We brought Graham in to be a leader and also improve on our goal kicking percentages which have been below where we have wanted them to be for some time. Graham has a career kicking success rate of close to 90% and during the season he has shown just why he has been so successful. He has also worked with some of our younger kickers who have got a lot out of his advice and experience. His kicking displays in the wins away at Sheffield and at home against Kendal before Christmas in difficult conditions were both top drawer and certainly won us games that in the past we might have lost”.
“Holly has been superb for us this season but we knew from when he joined in pre-season that he was looking to get into coaching should a suitable opportunity arise. The role with Oldham is exactly what he was looking for and we are delighted he’s found such an attractive proposition. Graham has been superb for Hoppers since his arrival both on and off the pitch. His goal kicking and all round play have been first class whilst off the field he has been a superb mentor to our players and aspiring kickers and a professional presence in the dressing room. I’m certainly going to miss Holly’s excellent dressing room banter as well!!”.
Speaking on his departure Graham said “I’ve really enjoyed my time with Preston. They are a well run club and a really good group of lads. The opportunity at Oldham is a really exciting one for me but I want to wish all at Hoppers the best and I’ll be keeping an eye out on how the boys are getting on”.
Any kickers who are interested in learning from Graham can do so at his newly set up kicking school. For further details please visit his website at www.grahamholroydkickingacademy.co.uk .
