Rest in peace John. Was not privelleged enough to see you play in the flesh, just slightly before my time, but your deeds and actions will allways be remebered by those who did get to see you play in the blue and amber and im sure the whole of the rugby league family will mourn you for the great that you were and still are.

One of the best players I remember from my early years watching the game.
RIP John Holmes, a rugby league great.

RIP John, a true legend

Ditto to that.
RIP

One of the finest players Iv`e seen, a great individual as well as a team member. RIP.

Despite never getting to see this player live he entertained a generation of Leeds fans. A sad day for the club whole round. My sympathies goes to his acquaintances, friends and family.

Thanks for your effort John.

RIP

R.I.P. Condolences to all who knew him

I watched the great man throughout his career and can only echo much of what's been said - an outstanding and gifted player both in attack and defense and as tough as teak taking more punishment off the ball than any player I have ever seen.

Way too young to pass away - RIP John Holmes, condolences to family and friends

So dies a part of my youth

An absolute legend has passed away.

John Holmes was silky smooth who took his fair share of abuse from the opposition who stopped his play at any cost. We could tell when they had got him as he started to pass the ball sooner.

A real credit to the Leeds Rhinos in a fitting tribute on the website.

Thanks for the memories John - we'll never forget you

Very well put Highbury - a part of my youth has gone too. I'll be leaving London in good time on Friday. Headingley is the only place I want to be that evening.

I was told a while ago that he was very poorly but am still shocked. He was my first hero in blue and amber in the early 80s. My dad used to work with him and he'd bring the Challenge Cup in for people to look at, but did it in a totally self effacing and humble way.

RIP John

As has been stated an unbelievable player. Pick any superlative you like but what has not been said is that he was one of the most humblest people I have ever had the pleasure to meet and a real gentleman (in the true sense of the word).

I remember his first game at Headingley and thinking to myself, "Who does this young whipper snapper think he is taking over from the great Bev Risman?" Well we soon found out!

MHDSRIP

RIP John.

As for many, my first Loiner hero. Favourite memories are probably the try he set up for TC to beat Wigan, and oddly, a pre-season game against Bramley where to the delight of a small group of Leeds fans who were calling him to do it, he had a shot at goal from the touchline. Missed, but had a big grin on his face after he took it. A player who genuinely enjoyed playing the game in the spirit it should be.

I have just got in from work and seen the tragic news on BBC ceefax. I am at a loss - probably the same feeling I had when Billy Bremner passed away. The term legend is used too easily these days - John Holmes was not only a rugby league legend he was a true gentleman and had the time of day for anyone.

My condolences to John's family at this very sad time.

God bless you John and thank you for the happy memories that you have left behind.

Jesus Just Heard....RIP a true Leeds Legend

John Holmes was an all-time great for Leeds in particular and Rugby League in general.

I've been privileged to see and admire many great players but no-one I've ever seen could time a pass as well as John.

My condolences to his family and friends.

Rest in peace.

The best player I've ever seen and probably the best player I'll ever see.

John Holmes R.I.P.

A long time since I posted on here but can't let this moment pass.

John Holmes was a mercurial talent. Looking at him on the pitch you couldn't believe the skill he had in those hands and the ability to read the game so well. Many times in the early eighties as I was receiving my RL eduction first in the paddock then in the south stand, John frequently shone out.

To me one of the signs of his greatness was how often he was targetted by late / high tackles by the opposition. They knew how good he was.

As posted by others I remember the game at St Helens but some of the greatest enjoyment were the alliance games on a Friday night. His love for the club and the game in general shone then as brightly as it did on the big stage.

RIP and I hope a suitable memorial is provided by the club.

R.I.P John

Thoughts go out to his family.

All of the above.

It just makes you wonder how over-used the word 'legend' is.

John is the original definition of that.

Having only taken an intrest in RL since 1992 I've never heard of John



But condolences to his family and friends

I was devasted to hear the news.

John gave me one of my earliest memories of the game when i was 8 years old - the 1978 Challenge Cup final.

He was a true gentleman, sportsman and also a friend. Simply one of the best to wear the Leeds colours.

Condolences to Karen and all his family.

RIP John Holmes.

R.I.P

i didn't start watching properly till 1980 & i don't think i'll ever see anyone time a pass better than than John Holmes.

To play the amount of games he did when the late challenges were flying around every game showed his own strength as well as skill.

Awful news, what a gentleman John was, very humble and unassuming. I remember one freezing morning at Headingly when he was arriving for training, I shouted over for his autograph not expecting even a glance and he just turned, smiled and walked over to me saying "sure no problem" Many of todays superstars would'nt have even looked never mind walk the 20 yards over to me, that just sums John up for me. A pleasure to watch him throughout his career. Hope the Rhinos commemorate his passing with a dvd, sad to lose Shoey and John so close together. RIP