Samuel Wolstenholme was born in Little Lever on 16th March 1878. He played local football for Horwich before joining Everton in October 1897.

Wolstenholme, a right-half, played 160 league games for Everton and in April 1904 he won his first international cap playing for England against Scotland. Wolstenholme was described as being "a brainy and thoughtful right-half, as nimble as a squirrel". Tony Matthews (Who's Who of Everton) wrote: "A fine passer of the ball, always trying to be inch-perfect, was usually able to counter the wiles of the most trickiest of adversaries."

In May 1904 Robert Middleton, the manager of Blackburn Rovers, signed Sam Wolstenholme from Everton. Despite good individual performances from Wolstenholme, Bob Crompton, Adam Bowman, Bob Evans, Fred Blackburn and Arnie Whittaker, Blackburn could only finish in 13th place in the 1904-05 season. In an article that appeared in the Blackburn Times a journalist wrote: "Like its two predecessors, the season of 1904-05 has been one of disgrace to the Rovers".

Wolstenholme remained in good form and played for England against Ireland and Wales in 1905. However, Blackburn Rovers had another difficult season. Despite good individual performances from Bob Crompton, Adam Bowman, Bob Evans, Fred Blackburn, Sam Wolstenholme and Arnie Whittaker, Blackburn could only finish in 13th place in the 1904-05 season. Bowman was the top scorer with 13 goals. In an article that appeared in the Blackburn Times in 1905 a journalist wrote: "Like its two predecessors, the season of 1904-05 has been one of disgrace to the Rovers".

Lawrence Cotton, a local wealthy businessman, became chairman of Blackburn Rovers in March 1905. The following month Robert Middleton signed Welsh international striker, Billy Davies from Wrexham. Blackburn finished in 9th place in the 1905-06 season. Adam Bowman was once again the club's top scorer with 15 goals. His strike partner, Billy Davies, added 11 more.

Blackburn Rovers finished in 12th place in the 1906-07 season. They were knocked out of the FA Cup by Tottenham Hotspur but won the Lancashire Cup when they beat Liverpool 3-0. At the end of the season Samuel Wolstenholme left Blackburn. He had played 97 league games for the club.

After leaving Blackburn Rovers Wolstenholme played 180 games for Norwich City in the Southern League. Wolstenholme also coached in Germany and during the First World War he was interned by the authorities.

Samuel Wolstenholme died in 1933.

Blackburn Rovers: An Illustrated History is available from Amazon

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