Skilful Irish defender, who joined Spurs when they were relegated to the Second Division and played a major part in securing promotion, but a broken leg playing for his country virtually ended his time at White Hart Lane.

As a schoolboy, Holmes went to Strand Street Christian Brothers School, before moving to the Emmet Road Technical School, playing for the schools, as well as Dublin and the Republic of Ireland Schoolboy teams.  He also played youth football for St. John's Bosco Boys Club, where he was spotted by the Sky Blues.

Starting his career with Coventry City, Holmes was an assured central defender, who wasn't blessed with height, but with a good reading of the game and a fine passing range.  Signed by Coventry scout Bunny Fullam, Jimmy made a reputation as a solid performer and was integrated into the reserves following some good youth team appearances, including the Sky Blues progress to the FA Youth Cup final in 1970 against Spurs, which went to three games before Tottenham won.  Was quickly pushed through the ranks of the Republic of Ireland set-up and at the time became the youngest player in the national side at 17 years and 200 days when he appeared as a substitute in the Dalymount Park match against Austria on 30th May 1971.

Was in the Coventry side for five years before Tottenham made a move for him, bringing him in ahead of the last stage of the relegation season, but his presence could not stop the inevitable and his excellent ability in bringing the ball out of defence was useful in launching attacks from the back. 

In May 1979, Jimmy was playing in a World Cup qualifier against Bulgaria in the Levski stadium in Sofia, when a tackle resulted in him breaking his leg with a sickening crack.  Complications in re-setting his leg, with the local hospital applying the plaster too tight and the plane home having to be diverted to France to allow Jimmy to have emergency treatment.  Once home, Holmes had trouble with his skin where the plaster had made contact with it and the leg had to be re-set, but losing a year of playing time meant that he was never the same player again and Spurs released him to join Vancouver Whitecaps in America to resurrect his career.  However, after a year, he was back in England trying to find a club and spent a few months at Leicester City, where he played twice before moving onto Brentford.  Stayed a month at Griffin Park, then went on to Torquay United and Peterborough United before hanging up his boots .

Was awarded a testimonial by the RoI FA in 1985 and Glenn Hoddle took an all-star XI at Dalymount Park.

Jimmy took up a job as a police officer in the West Midlands on retirement from football and received a commendation for bravery in July 2006.  Retired from the force in late 2008 and was looking to get back into football in some capacity.