A tailor by trade, Arthur Hollins had been playing in the Birmingham League with Wellington Town when Southampton signed him, late in the 1913-14 season, from under the noses of Wolverhampton Wanderers. A speedy centre-forward, who was quick to see, and to seize, opportunities, he settled in for the last 11 games of the Southern League season with seven goals. He hardly played the following season, which was disrupted both by disciplinary matters – he was one of a very small band, among the club’s Southern League players, to be suspended for misconduct on the pitch – and by problems with the family business, following his brother’s illness, which required his attention.

Which meant that, after only a handful of further appearances, he was released in April 1915. Serving in the First World War with the Royal Engineers (Motor Cyclist Section), Arthur was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal.