for the next ten seasons holford was a near ever-present in the stoke team, racking up 105 consecutive appearances from march 1903 to march 1906. his good performances won him an england cap in 1903 and he is considered the smallest centre-back ever to play for england at just 5 ft 5. during holford's time at stoke became known as 'dirty tommy' as he played the game in a fiery style, although he was never sent off. he succeeded george baddeley as captain in 1905.