Ricky Holmes

Ricky Holmes

Holmes playing for Barnet in September 2012
Personal information
Full name	Ricky Lee Holmes [1]
Date of birth	(1987-06-19) 19 June 1987 (age 37)
Place of birth	Rochford, England
Height	5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Position(s)	Winger
Team information
Current team	Farnborough
Number	11
Youth career
1992–2002	Fairfax Rangers
2002–2004	Southend United
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
	Southend Manor
0000–2005	White Ensign
2005–2010	Chelmsford City	154	(49)
2010–2013	Barnet	91	(15)
2013–2015	Portsmouth	53	(2)
2015	→ Northampton Town (loan)	4	(1)
2015–2016	Northampton Town	45	(13)
2016–2018	Charlton Athletic	58	(19)
2018–2020	Sheffield United	5	(0)
2018–2019	→ Oxford United (loan)	16	(3)
2019	→ Gillingham (loan)	0	(0)
2020–2021	Northampton Town	9	(1)
2021	Southend United	14	(0)
2021–2023	Farnborough	57	(3)
2023	Dover Athletic	0	(0)
2023–	Farnborough	54	(12)
International career
2008	England C	1	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 17:10, 2 November 2024 (UTC)

Ricky Lee Holmes (born 19 June 1987) is an English professional footballer who plays as a striker or a winger for Farnborough.

Born in Rochford, Holmes began his football career with Southend-based clubs before joining Chelmsford City in 2005. After a successful stint with the team, he moved to Barnet in 2010, where he scored his first goal that November. Despite a foot injury in January 2011, he went on to have a successful 2011–12 season. Holmes then signed with Portsmouth in 2013, followed by Northampton Town in 2015, Charlton Athletic in 2016, and Sheffield United in 2018. In 2018, he had loan spells at Oxford United and Gillingham. After announcing his retirement in 2020 due to a back injury, Holmes returned to football, rejoining Northampton Town in 2020, signing with Southend United in 2021, and eventually joining Farnborough in August 2021.

Career

Chelmsford City

Born in Rochford, started his career with Southend-based clubs Southend Manor and White Ensign, helping White Ensign to win the Essex Intermediate League in 2005. ^{[2] [3]} Holmes joined Chelmsford City in 2005 and made his debut on 9 November 2005 in a 3–1 Isthmian League Cup win against Horsham. Holmes made his full league debut for Chelmsford in August 2006, in a 1–1 draw against Bromley, also taking part in the club's impressive run in the FA Cup that year. ^[4] He went on to become one of the club's top players, achieving promotion to the Conference South in 2007–08, a season in which he also won the club's player of the year award, scored 16 league goals. He also was linked with Championship side Crystal Palace. He remained a regular starter for the following two seasons.

On 5 February 2008, Holmes was named in the England C squad for the match against Wales Semi-pro. ^[5] On the 21st he made his international debut for the side. ^[6]

Holmes finished 2009–10 as City's top scorer, with 21 goals in the season. However, he was released in May 2010 after City allowed him to pursue his career at a higher level. ^[7]

Barnet

On 15 June 2010, Holmes signed a contract with Barnet. ^[8] He made his debut on 7 August, against Chesterfield. ^[9] Holmes scored his first goal for Barnet on 20 November, in a 4–1 win over Northampton Town. ^[10] The 2010–11 season ended prematurely in January for Holmes as he was ruled out for the rest of the season with a foot injury.

The 2011–12 season was more successful for Holmes. Under the management of Edgar Davids, Holmes' position was moved further towards the left wing, where he managed to score 10 goals. During the season, he consolidated his position in the Barnet first team. In an interview with Sky Sports that he believed he was better off playing as a second striker behind Izale McLeod (Bees' topscorer). In 2012–13, he scored a hat-trick on 21 December 2012, in a 3–2 win against Burton Albion. ^[11] In February 2013, he suffered the same foot injury, and was sidelined for the rest of the season. ^[12]

After Barnet's relegation, Holmes was linked to a number of clubs, the likes of Portsmouth, ^[13] Leyton Orient, ^[14] Gillingham, Burton Albion and Southend United providing competition for his signature.

Portsmouth

Holmes signed a two-year deal with Portsmouth on 21 June 2013, following the expiry of his contract at Barnet. ^[15] He made his debut in a 4–1 home defeat to Oxford United on 3 August 2013. On 14 September, Holmes scored his first Pompey goal, in a 2–1 away victory over Burton Albion. ^[16] Holmes received the fans' Player of the Season award in 2013–14. ^[17]

Northampton Town

On 2 January 2015, Holmes joined Northampton on an initial one-month loan deal. ^[18] On 27 January 2015, after appearing in four matches and scoring once, he signed a 2+1⁄2-year permanent deal with the club. ^[19]

Charlton Athletic

Holmes made a transfer request to Northampton on 15 June 2016 after repeated bids by Charlton and one day later after the 2 clubs eventually agreed a fee of £125,000, Holmes signed a two-year deal with the Addicks being the first signing for new manager Russell Slade. ^{[20] [21]} He scored his first goals for Charlton when he scored twice in a 3–0 win over Shrewsbury Town on 16 August 2016. ^[22]

Sheffield United

On 15 January 2018, Holmes made the switch from Charlton Athletic to Sheffield United for an undisclosed fee after a year and a half at the Valley, rejoining former Northampton manager Chris Wilder. ^[23]

He was transfer-listed by Sheffield United at the end of the 2018–19 season. ^[24]

On 4 May 2020, having been released at the end of his Sheffield United contract, Holmes stated that he would retire from professional football due to a back injury picked up whilst working on a building site in Horsham, during his time playing semi-professionally at Chelmsford City. ^[25]

Oxford United (loan)

On 9 August 2018, Holmes signed for Oxford United on a season-long loan. ^[26] He returned to his parent club in January 2019 for treatment after his appearances were limited by a back injury. ^[27]

Gillingham (loan)

Holmes signed for Gillingham on loan on transfer deadline day in January 2019. He joined the club despite being injured, in an effort to regain fitness. ^[28] On 24 April 2019, however, he returned to parent club Sheffield United after he had failed to regain fitness. He made no appearances for Gillingham during his three months at the club. ^[29]

Return to Northampton Town

Holmes re-joined Northampton on an "appearance related contract" on 2 November 2020, having spent time training with the club to regain fitness. ^[30]

Southend United

On 18 February 2021, Holmes joined League Two side Southend United on a deal until the end of the 2020–21 season. ^{[31] [32]}

Farnborough

Holmes signed for Farnborough in August 2021. ^[33] Following a two-year spell with the Hampshire-based side, Holmes left the club in June 2023. He left with over 60 appearances to his name. ^[34]

Dover Athletic

On 2 July 2023, Holmes signed for Dover Athletic where he would also hold the role of assistant manager. ^[35] He departed the club however on 11 July, becoming the third of Dover's new signings to reverse their decision and leave the club. ^[36]

Return to Farnborough

On the same day as his abrupt departure from Dover was announced, Holmes returned to Farnborough. ^[37]

Career statistics

As of match played on 2 November 2024

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			FA Cup		League Cup1		Other2		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Chelmsford City	2006–07	Isthmian League Premier Division	39	12	7	2	2	0	2	1	50	15
	2007–08		38	16	3	1	2	0	7	4	48	21
	2008–09	Conference South	36	6	1	0	3	0	8	4	48	10
	2009–10		41	15	3	1	0	0	12	5	56	21
	Total		154	49	14	4	7	0	29	14	204	67
Barnet	2010–11	League Two	25	2	2	0	1	0	1	0	29	2
	2011–12		41	8	1	0	2	1	4	1	48	10
	2012–13		25	5	0	0	1	0	1	0	27	5
	Total		91	15	3	0	4	1	6	1	104	17
Portsmouth	2013–14	League Two	40	2	1	0	1	0	3	0	45	2
	2014–15		13	0	2	0	1	0	1	0	17	0
	Total		53	2	3	0	2	0	4	0	62	2
Northampton Town	2014–15	League Two	21	5	0	0	0	0	0	0	21	5
	2015–16		28	9	3	2	1	0	0	0	32	11
	Total		49	14	3	2	1	0	0	0	53	16
Charlton Athletic	2016–17	League One	35	13	1	0	1	0	1	0	38	13
	2017–18		23	6	2	0	0	0	1	0	26	6
	Total		58	19	3	0	1	0	2	0	64	19
Sheffield United	2017–18	Championship	5	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	5	0
	2018–19		0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	2019–20	Premier League	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	Total		5	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	5	0
Oxford United (loan)	2018–19	League One	16	3	0	0	1	0	2	1	19	4
Gillingham (loan)	2018–19	League One	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Northampton Town	2020–21	League One	9	1	1	0	0	0	1	0	11	1
Southend United	2020–21	League Two	14	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	14	0
Farnborough	2021–22	SFL Premier Division South	25	2	2	0	0	0	2	1	29	3
	2022–23	National League South	32	1	1	1	0	0	1	0	34	2
	Total		57	3	3	1	0	0	3	1	63	5
Dover Athletic	2023–24	National League South	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Farnborough	2023–24	National League South	39	6	0	0	0	0	1	0	40	6
	2024–25		15	6	1	1	0	0	0	0	16	7
	Total		54	12	1	1	0	0	1	0	56	13
Career total			557	118	31	8	16	1	48	17	654	144

¹ Including matches for Football League Cup, Football Conference League Cup and Isthmian League Cup.

² Including matches for FA Trophy, Football League Trophy, Football Conference play-offs and Essex Senior Cup.

Honours

Northampton Town

• Football League Two: 2015–16

Individual

• PFA Team of the Year: 2015–16 League Two ^[38]
• Charlton Athletic Player of the Season: 2016–17
• Portsmouth Player of the Season: 2013–14

References

1. "Professional retain lists & free transfers 2012/13" (PDF). The Football League. May 2013. p. 4. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 August 2014. Retrieved 15 June 2013.
2. "Holmes delight at England C call-up". Basildon Echo. 7 February 2008. Retrieved 13 September 2022.
3. "Football: League title in the bag for White Ensign". Daily Gazette. 20 May 2005. Retrieved 13 September 2022.
4. "Welcome..." The Chelmsford City Historian. 28 February 2010. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
5. Fairclough names England C squad; BBC Sport, 6 February 2008
6. Lions slay Welsh dragon; The FA, 21 February 2008
7. Chelmsford City release top scorer Ricky Holmes; BBC Sport, 20 May 2010
8. Barnet sign Ricky Holmes, Glen Southam and Glenn Poole; BBC Sport, 15 June 2010
9. Chesterfield 2 – 1 Barnet; BBC Sport, 7 August 2010
10. Barnet 4–1 Northampton; BBC Sport, 20 November 2010
11. Barnet 3–2 Burton Albion; BBC Sport, 21 December 2012
12. HOLMES OUT FOR THE SEASON; Barnet FC, 9 February 2013
13. Pompey chase Holmes; Portsmouth News, 24 May 2013
14. Orient look in on Holmes; Sky Sports, 16 May 2013
15. "Pompey complete Holmes signing". Portsmouth FC. 21 June 2013.
16. Burton 1–2 Portsmouth; BBC Sport, 14 September 2013
17. "Pompey 3 Plymouth 3". Portsmouth FC. 3 May 2014.
18. "Northampton Town: Ricky Holmes and Brendan Moloney join on loan". BBC Sport. 2 January 2015.
19. "Holmes departs Pompey for good". Portsmouth News. 27 January 2015. Retrieved 27 January 2015.
20. "Ricky Holmes: Northampton Town midfielder submits transfer request". BBC Sport. Retrieved 16 June 2016.
21. Jones, George. "DONE DEAL | Charlton sign Ricky Holmes from Northampton Town". cafc.co.uk. Archived from the original on 11 August 2016. Retrieved 16 June 2016.
22. "Charlton 3–0 Shrewsbury". BBC Sport. 16 August 2016. Retrieved 17 August 2016.
23. "Ricky becomes United's fourth capture". Sheffield United official website. Retrieved 15 January 2018.
24. "Paul Coutts: Sheffield United midfielder among five released". BBC Sport. 8 May 2019. Retrieved 9 May 2019.
25. "Sheffield United winger and ex-Portsmouth and Charlton man Ricky Holmes admits defeat in battle to save career". The News website. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
26. "Ricky Holmes Joins Oxford United". Oxford United F.C. 9 August 2018. Retrieved 9 August 2018.
27. Pritchard, David (19 January 2019). "Oxford United discuss creative solution to Ricky Holmes loan with Sheffield United". Oxford Mail. Retrieved 31 January 2019.
28. "Gills sign Ricky Holmes on loan". Gillingahm F.C. 31 January 2019. Retrieved 31 January 2019.
29. "We can confirm that Ricky Holmes has returned to parent club Sheffield United after it was revealed he would not feature for #Gills while on loan before the end of the season". Gillingham Twitter feed. 24 April 2019. Retrieved 24 April 2019.
30. RICKY HOLMES RETURNS TO NORTHAMPTON TOWN!
31. "Holmes: Southend United sign winger on deal until end of season". BBC Sport. 18 February 2021. Retrieved 18 February 2021.
32. "Blues sign Ricky Holmes". Southend United FC. 18 February 2021. Retrieved 18 February 2021.
33. RICKY HOLMES JOINS FARNBOROUGH
34. Lloyd, Dom (29 May 2023). "Player Update". Farnborough F.C. Retrieved 29 May 2023.
35. "BRUNDLE HOLMES IN ON RICKY". doverathletic.com. 2 July 2023. Retrieved 2 July 2023.
36. Reeves, Thomas (11 July 2023). "Former Portsmouth, Northampton Town, Charlton Athletic and Sheffield United player Ricky Holmes U-turns on decision to sign for Dover Athletic as player-assistant manager". Kent Online. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
37. "Ricky comes Holme'". farnboroughfc.co.uk. 11 July 2023. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
38. "PFA awards: Leicester and Spurs dominate Premier League team". BBC Sport. 21 April 2016. Retrieved 7 May 2018.

External links

• Ricky Holmes at Soccerbase