A new-look Toby Holland has been putting in some eye-catching performances for Bishop’s Cleeve over the past couple of months.

The attacking midfielder dyed his hair blonde at the start of the season and he’s enjoyed plenty of highlights since the Southern League Division One South campaign got under way.

Chief among them was that hat-trick against Melksham Town earlier this month when he scored three times in the second half to earn his side a 3-1 win after they had trailed at the break.

Two of the goals were from outside the box and the other was from closer range after he had surged into the penalty area.

And what makes his form all the more impressive is that he missed nearly all of last season after suffering an ACL injury.

He’d just left Bishop’s Cleeve for Swindon Supermarine, who were playing in the division above Cleeve, and he said: “I scored in the first game for them and I was flying.

“Then I did the injury and I didn’t play for them again, I missed most of this pre-season too.”

Experienced Bishop’s Cleeve boss Paul Collicutt managed Holland’s game-time in the opening weeks of the season but the 24-year-old, who was on Swindon Town’s books a few years ago, is now flourishing in a side that has been at, or around, the top of the table all season.

So why the dyed blonde hair?

“My dad told me that one of the coaches at Swindon, Lee Peacock, said I played like Paul Gascoigne,” the former Chosen Hill School pupil explained.

“Gascoigne suffered an ACL injury, too, and when he came back he dyed his hair blonde, so that’s why I did it.

“When I went back to Bishop’s Cleeve someone said to me, ‘You look just like Paul Gascoigne!’”

Holland was obviously pleased with that, as was his dad Steve who is his son's chief supporter, and Holland, who scored 22 goals for Cleeve in 2023/24, is very pleased with they way things are going at the moment.

“I’m very happy at Cleeve, they are a great bunch of lads,” he said. “After my injury, I just want to enjoy myself.”

And with Cleeve going so well this season he’s doing just that.

“I can play as an 8 or a 10, it depends on how the game is going,” he said. “If we’re getting plenty of the ball I’ll go higher because I can create and score goals.

“If not I’ll drop a bit deeper and try to get on the ball. I think 8 is probably my best position.”