HE'S NOT 'The Special One', per say, but James Holland has had a pretty special year.

So, just like my FourFourTwo superiors did in the January 2009 edition of their magazine with Jose Mourinho, I thought I’d take a look back over Holland’s last twelve months (or so).

Like the Portuguese manager, there have been highs and there have been lows for “Dutchy”, and now there’s a move to continental Europe in the offing as well. And boy, hasn’t he racked up the frequent flyer points!?

2007
October 8, Newcastle
Signed on a two week injury waiver for Stuart Musialik, Holland explodes onto the national scene by scoring just 16 minutes into his A-League debut against Wellington Phoenix. The Jets win 2-1.

November, Belgium
Following his two match guest stint with the Jets, Holland leaves for Belgium to trial with clubs in the Jupiler Pro League. Nothing eventuates and the boy from Budgewoi returns home with his services in hot demand. In addition to the Jets and Mariners, Roar and Victory are also interested in seeing the precocious young talents signature on a piece of paper with their logo at the top.

December 7, Newcastle (Sweet)
It seems all but certain Holland will sign with the Mariners, however after a last minute chat with Gary van Egmond, he performs a U-turn, signing an 11th hour deal with the Jets as a full time squad member until 2010. “To snatch him from our rivals down the street, especially seeing he's born and bred on the Central Coast, it was very pleasing that he chose us,” van Egmond said.

December 16, Melbourne
Plays in 1-3 win over Victory. From this round until the end of the season, Holland features in every match, starting eight and subbing in once (in the Grand Final).

2008
January 4, Newcastle
Scores in 2-1 win over Adelaide.

January 12, Gosford (Sweeter)
Scores in 1-2 win over Mariners.

February 24, Sydney (Sweetest)
After replacing Mark Bridge on 73 minutes, Holland is embroiled in controversy in the Grand Final as on fulltime as he unintentionally handles the ball following a Mariners corner. Referee Mark Shield rules play to continue despite the appeals and attacks from the imploding Mariners, and soon after, at just 18 years of age, Holland has a championship medal to his name. “I honestly did not mean to handle the ball. It was unintentional,” Holland said.

March 2, San Francisco
Makes debut for Olyroos in 1-1 draw with Mexico. In the lead up to Beijing 2008, Holland represents the Australian U23s four more times in matches against Croatia, Chile (twice) and China. He is involved in all lead up camps, travelling to Malaysia and Darwin in the process.

March 22, Singapore
Holland makes his full international debut for Pim Verbeek’s Socceroos. He is capped twice more at senior level by Verbeek – in a friendly against Ghana and a dead-rubber against China – before the end of June.

July 4, Sydney
Despite his full international appearances, Holland is omitted from the final squad for Beijing 2008. He travels with the squad as injury cover (seeing Japan, Korea Republic and China in the process), but sees no game time at the Olympics.

August 15, Newcastle
Holland starts for the Jets against the Mariners in Round One of A-League season four. He goes on to start 10 more times for the Jets through December 14.

October 12, Thailand
Holland captains the Young Socceroos to ASEAN Football Federation U19 Championship glory, converting the winning spot kick in the 3-1 penalty shoot out win over Korea Republic.

November, Saudi Arabia
Represents the Young Socceroos at the AFC U19 Championship in Saudi Arabia, helping them to a semi-final finish and a spot at the 2009 FIFA U20 World Cup in Egypt.

December 15
Holland departs Australia destined for his namesake and a medical and trial with top Eredivisie club AZ Alkmaar. The deal is said to be “80 per cent done” with the Jets mooted to receive a $650,000 transfer fee for his loss.

Whilst it is disappointing to lose a player with so much talent from our club and indeed our league, this is a great move for Holland and an excellent example of how the A-League can and is developing youth talent.

In the year that was, Holland has progressed from AIS anonymity to fringe Socceroos star. No doubt Verbeek will hold Holland’s Dutch move in high esteem – I actually wouldn’t be surprised if he was somehow involved. Best of luck, Dutchy.