Background
Houldsworth was born in Henley-on-Thames and began his career with Swindon Town in 1934.
Houldsworth was born in Henley-on-Thames and began his career with Swindon Town in 1934.
He played 34 times for Swindon before joining Stoke City in April 1935. Whilst he kept a clean sheet against Grimsby Town in his first match for Stoke he conceded five against Preston North End and was not retained. He then joined Ipswich Town where he used as a reserve and left in 1938 for Reading without having made an appearance.
At Reading he played in eight matches before he served with the Army during World World War World War II During the war he guested for Southampton, making 21 appearances in the War League and Cup matches between 1941 and 1944.