John Holland

William John Holland was born in 1950 in Burnley, Lancashire now of Stockport, England. He is a bridge professional and WBF Senior Grand Master. In 2017 he was a member of the inaugural class of the European Bridge League's Hall of Fame.

John attended Harrogate Grammar School and then Manchester University. After leaving University, John worked as a purchaser and office manager for over twenty years, and afterwards worked as a computer programmer. After a small stint as a programmer, he became a full time professional bridge player.

In 1981, John won his first national title winning the Portland Pairs, the National Mixed Pairs, and then represented Great Britain in the Mixed Teams at the European Common Market Championships.
Since then John's achievements include:
1st World Senior Teams (Rand Cup) 2010 partners Gunnar Hallberg & Paul Hackett; 1st World D'Orsi Seniors Bowl 2009 partner Gunnar Hallberg; 1st European Senior Championships in 2014, partnering Gunnar Hallberg; 3rd Common Market Mixed Teams 1993 partner Michelle Brunner; 3rd European Open Teams 2005 partner David Bakhshi; 2nd Commonwealth Games 2006 partner Michelle Brunner.

Represented England in two European Teams championships in 2006 and 2008, partnering John Armstrong, and four Senior European Teams championships in 2010 2012 2014 - where he won the gold medal - and 2016, partnering Gunnar Hallberg and Brian Senior. In 2015 he was part of the England team which reached the quarter-finals of the D'Orsi Trophy at the World Bridge Championships.

Nine Camrose caps (partnering Boris Ewart, John Armstrong, Michelle Brunner (four with Michelle), Gunner Hallberg and Ben Green). Five Senior Camrose caps (partner Gunnar Hallberg and Norman Selway), plus three appearances for the Patron's team.

Many national wins including the Gold Cup in 2015, Crockfords Cup in 2000; Six Hubert Phillips Bowl; and National Swiss Teams in 1985/1992/2003/2012 and National Point-a-Board Teams in 2014.

John has also won the Sunder Telegraph Salver, for most Master Points achieved in a calendar year in 2009, 2012 2013 2014 2015 and 2017. He is third on the all-time list of Master Point scorers.

At county level he has won virtually every event in the Manchester area and is a member of the Manchester Bridge Club. John married Michelle Brunner in 2008. He recently won the 2011 Keri Klinger Memorial Award - the pressure play award with Michelle (posthumously).

Last updated: July 2024

Major International Appearances

European Championships: 2006 and 2008
Senior European Championships: 2010 2012 2014* 2016 and 2024
D'Orsi Bowl: 2009*, 2015 2019 and 2022
Senior World Olympiad: 2012 and 2016

* = 1st place

Camrose Trophy Selections: 1987 1997 1999 2006 2007 2008 2010 and 2014

Teltscher Trophy Selections: 2008 2010 2011 2012^ 2013 2014^ 2016^ 2017 2019 2020 2021 and 2022

Gold Cup Winner: 2015

Crockfords winner: 2000

Spring Foursomes Winner: 2012

Autumn Congress Two Stars Pairs Winner: 2012

National Teams Congress winner: 1982 1984 2003 2012 and 2014(PAB)

The Hubert Phillips Bowl Winner: 1983 1985 1986 1988 1991 and 1996

National Pairs winner: 1991

Tollemache Cup winner: 1985 1987 2023 and 2024

Sunday Telegraph Salver winner: 2009 2012 2013 2014 2015 2017 2018 and 2019

Player of the Year Championship: 2015/16 - 15th

^ - selection for GB/Patron's team