John Holmes: A Pioneer Football Agent

John Holmes, one of the first football agents, discusses his journey as an agent and his involvement in the early days of the profession. Inspired by American sports agent Mark McCormack, Holmes saw the potential in representing athletes as brands. He convinced a businessman to back him, and his first client was legendary goalkeeper Peter Shilton, whom he looked after for 21 years. Holmes also worked with players like David Gower and Gary Lineker, and emphasizes the importance of long-term relationships with players, mentoring and guiding them throughout their careers. He shares anecdotes about his experiences with Brian Clough and talks about his concerns regarding the modern agent landscape.