Lee Daniel Holmes (born 2 April 1987) is an English former professional footballer who played as a midfielder.

Lee Holmes
Holmes in 2008
Personal information
Full name Lee Daniel Holmes[1]
Date of birth (1987-04-02) 2 April 1987 (age 37)[1]
Place of birth Mansfield, England
Height 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)[2]
Position(s) Left midfielder
Youth career
000–2002 Derby County
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2002–2008 Derby County 46 (2)
2004–2005Swindon Town (loan) 15 (1)
2006Bradford City (loan) 16 (0)
2008Walsall (loan) 19 (4)
2008–2012 Southampton 29 (1)
2012Oxford United (loan) 7 (2)
2012Swindon Town (loan) 10 (1)
2012–2015 Preston North End 60 (6)
2014Portsmouth (loan) 5 (0)
2015Exeter City (loan) 8 (0)
2015–2020 Exeter City 114 (12)
2021 Mickleover 6 (1)
Total 335 (31)
International career
2002 England U16 4 (0)
2003 England U17 3 (0)
2004–2006 England U19 18 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Holmes began his career with Derby County and became their youngest ever player and goalscorer, as well as the youngest footballer to appear in the FA Cup. He has represented England at the under 16, under 17 and the under 19 level.

Playing career

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Derby County

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Holmes began his career with Derby County, appearing for the club's under 18 side when he was only 14.[3]

Even before he made his senior debut, he hit the headlines when he scored after just 38 seconds for England under 16s in a Victory Shield match against Northern Ireland.[4] England went on to win the 2002 Victory Shield with two more victories.[5]

Holmes made his debut for Derby on Boxing Day, 2002 against Grimsby Town. He broke the club record for the youngest player to appear at just 15 years and 268 days.[6] Holmes held the record for almost nine years until Mason Bennett beat it by 169 days in October 2011.[7]

He made another two more appearances during the 2002–03 season, both within two weeks of his debut. The second game was against Brentford when he became the youngest player to play in the proper rounds of the FA Cup.[8] His record has since been broken by Luke Freeman for Gillingham.[9]

In March 2003, Holmes helped the England under 17s to qualify for the 2003 UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship in Portugal with a 2–0 win in the qualifying match against Scotland.[10]

Holmes became a regular in the Derby side during the first half of the 2003–04 season.[11] In September 2003, his manager George Burley issued a "hands-off" warning to teams trying to sign Holmes as well as fellow teenager Tom Huddlestone.[12]

Still aged 16, Holmes scored his first Derby goal in a 3–1 defeat to Coventry City on 25 October 2003 to become the club's youngest goalscorer.[13][14] In November, Holmes was a target of Chelsea's recruitment drive of young England footballers.[15]

Holmes played three games for Derby at the start of the 2004–05 season and also appeared for England under 19s scoring in a 1–1 draw with the Czech Republic.[14] In December 2004, he joined Swindon Town in League One on an initial one-month loan.[16]

He made his Swindon debut two years to the day after his Derby debut in a 2–0 victory against Peterborough United.[17] Holmes' loan deal was twice extended after he impressed during his first two months at Swindon.[18][19] He scored his only Swindon goal during his final month in a 1–1 draw with Doncaster Rovers.[20] Holmes played 15 league games for Swindon, winning the club's young player of the season award,[21] before returning to Derby County.[22] He made one final appearance for Derby in the 2004–05 season before he played in the 2005 UEFA European Under-19 Championship in Northern Ireland, scoring in England's 3–1 final defeat to France.[23]

In January 2006, Holmes signed a new contract at Derby keeping him with the club until the end of the 2007–08 season.[24] The following month, he was named the captain of England under 19s against Slovakia, which he marked with another goal in a 3–0 victory.[25]

Holmes again moved on loan at the start of the 2006–07 signing for Bradford City with full back Nathan Doyle.[26] Holmes made his debut for Bradford in their opening day 1–0 defeat to Nottingham Forest.[27]

Holmes spent time on trial with Dutch side NAC Breda but remained at Derby without playing in a match during 2007.[28]

In January 2008, Holmes joined League One side Walsall on a season-long loan.[29] He made his debut for Walsall, and his first game in more than 13 months in a 2–2 draw with his former side Swindon Town on 12 January 2008.[30] He scored his first goal in a 2–1 defeat to Carlisle United on 2 February 2008[31] and followed it up with a goal in his next match in a 2–0 victory against Yeovil Town.[32] Two weeks later he scored in each half to take his run to four goals in four games in a 3–0 victory over Swindon Town.[33] Holmes played a total of 19 games for Walsall during his loan but was unable to add to his four early goals.

Holmes returned to Derby at the end of the season, but the club decided not to renew his contract, and he was one of four players to be released.[34]

Southampton

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On 6 June 2008, Holmes turned down Leeds United and Nottingham Forest to instead sign for Championship side Southampton as their first summer signing.[35] He was attracted by the promising youth set up under new coach Jan Poortvliet,[36] chairman Michael Wilde and the size of the club.[37] Holmes made his debut for Southampton in the opening game of the 2008–09 season against Cardiff City. Holmes was substituted in the second half, replaced by Bradley Wright-Phillips, as Southampton lost 2–1.[38] Holmes scored in his second game with Southampton, as they defeated League Two side Exeter City 3–1 in the first round of the League Cup.[39] Holmes started Southampton's opening seven games of the season, and scored a second goal, once again in the League Cup, but was injured in a 4–1 defeat to Queens Park Rangers in September. Holmes left Rangers' ground on crutches after suffering medial ligament damage in his right knee.[40] The injury forced him to spend six weeks in a leg brace, and kept him out of action for three months.[41] Although it did not require surgery, Holmes also suffered some cartilage damage, which had to be treated by a minor operation.[37]

Southampton struggled without Holmes,[citation needed] who returned to action in a 2–0 defeat to another team fighting against relegation Nottingham Forest on 20 December 2008.[42] As a result of the club's form Poortvliet resigned as manager and was replaced by his assistant Mark Wotte, in whose first game in charge, Holmes again went off injured.[43] The injury was diagnosed as a recurrence of his previous injury and was expected to keep him out for another four weeks.[44]

He was named on the bench for the first game of the 2009–10 Season against Millwall, but never featured. After being named on the bench for some cup games, he started against Millwall on 16 January.

On 1 October 2011, he came on as a substitute to score Southampton's fourth goal against Watford. This was his first league goal for the club.[45]

On 14 February 2012, Holmes signed a one-month loan deal at League Two side Oxford United, which made him available for their match against Dagenham and Redbridge at the Kassam Stadium.[citation needed] He set up both goals in a victory over rivals Swindon, and then scored twice in a 2–2 draw with Shrewsbury. On 14 March 2012, Holmes returned to his former club, Swindon Town, on loan for the remainder of the season.[46][47]

On 19 May, it was announced that he was to be released by Southampton at the end of the season.[48][49]

Preston North End

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On 28 May 2012, he agreed to join Preston North End with effect from 1 July.[50] On 17 December 2013, Holmes extended his contract with Preston for a further twelve months, thus keeping him at the club until the summer of 2015.[51] On 24 November 2014, Holmes signed on loan to Portsmouth until January 2015.[52] On 16 March 2015, Holmes joined Exeter on loan until the end of the season.[53]

Exeter City

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On 28 May 2015, Holmes joined Exeter City on a permanent basis following his loan spell from Preston.[54] On 8 January Exeter played the first leg of their FA Cup match against Liverpool and on the stroke of half time, Holmes scored directly from a corner kick.[55] After a consistent performance throughout the 2015–16 campaign, Holmes was voted player of the season by Exeter city fans.[56] On 3 January 2017, Holmes was ruled out for the rest of the campaign with an ankle injury after a collision in a match against Yeovil Town.[57] Holmes was released by Exeter at the end of his contract in July 2020.[58]

Non-league

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He signed for Northern Premier League Premier League side Mickleover on a free transfer in September 2021.[59] Holmes would leave the club in October 2021, after making 7 appearances and scoring one goal for Mickleover.[60]

Personal life

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Holmes is a Christian.[61] He lives in Arizona with his wife and children. His son, Freddie, was born in 2011.

Career statistics

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As of match played 12 October 2021
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Derby County 2002–03[62] First Division 2 0 1 0 0 0 3 0
2003–04[63] First Division 23 2 1 0 0 0 24 2
2004–05[64] Championship 3 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 4 0
2005–06[65] Championship 18 0 2 0 1 0 21 0
2006–07[66] Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2007–08[67] Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 46 2 4 0 2 0 0 0 52 2
Swindon Town (loan) 2004–05[64] League One 15 1 0 0 0 0 1[a] 0 16 1
Bradford City (loan) 2006–07[66] League One 16 0 1 0 1 0 1[a] 0 19 0
Walsall (loan) 2007–08[67] League One 19 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 19 4
Southampton 2008–09[68] Championship 11 0 1 0 2 2 14 2
2009–10[69] League One 5 0 2 0 0 0 1[a] 0 8 0
2010–11[70] League One 7 0 2 0 1 0 0 0 10 0
2011–12[71] Championship 6 1 1 0 4 0 11 1
Total 29 1 6 0 7 2 1 0 43 3
Oxford United (loan) 2011–12[71] League Two 7 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 2
Swindon Town (loan) 2011–12[71] League Two 10 1 0 0 0 0 1[a] 0 11 1
Preston North End 2012–13[72] League One 28 3 2 0 1 0 2[a] 0 33 3
2013–14[73] League One 32 3 5 0 2 0 2[b] 0 41 3
2014–15[74] League One 0 0 0 0 0 0 1[a] 0 1 0
Total 60 6 7 0 3 0 5 0 75 6
Portsmouth (loan) 2014–15[74] League Two 5 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 2
Exeter City (loan) 2014–15[74] League Two 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 0
Exeter City 2015–16[75] League Two 37 2 3 1 1 0 1[a] 0 42 3
2016–17[76] League Two 16 5 1 0 0 0 4[c] 0 21 5
2017–18[77] League Two 27 2 2 0 1 1 1[d] 0 31 3
2018–19[78] League Two 34 3 0 0 1 0 0 0 35 3
2019–20[79] League Two 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 122 12 6 1 3 1 6 0 137 14
Mickleover 2021–22[60] Northern Premier League 6 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 7 1
Career total 335 31 25 1 16 3 14 0 390 35
  1. ^ a b c d e f g Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy
  2. ^ One appearance in Football League Trophy, one appearance in League One play-offs
  3. ^ One appearance in EFL Trophy, three appearances in League Two play-offs
  4. ^ Appearance in EFL Trophy

Honours

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Derby County

Swindon Town

Preston North End

England Under-16

Individual

References

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  1. ^ a b Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2009). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2009–10. Mainstream Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84596-474-0.
  2. ^ "Lee Holmes - Forward - First Team - Exeter City FC". Exeter City F.C. Retrieved 30 July 2019.
  3. ^ Leitch, Adam (6 June 2008). "Saints snap up youngster Holmes". Southern Daily Echo. Retrieved 19 January 2009.
  4. ^ "Under-16s start well in Ireland". The FA. 19 October 2002. Archived from the original on 29 October 2007. Retrieved 18 November 2008.
  5. ^ a b Cook, Matthew (29 November 2002). "Victory as England retain shield". The FA. Archived from the original on 11 October 2008. Retrieved 18 November 2008.
  6. ^ "Facts and figures". Derby County F.C. Archived from the original on 25 December 2007. Retrieved 24 February 2008.
  7. ^ "Team News: Middlesbrough Vs DCFC". Derby County F.C. 22 October 2011. Archived from the original on 26 October 2011. Retrieved 22 October 2011.
  8. ^ Beard, Brian (6 December 2003). "Who said the romance of the FA Cup is dead? Beardo hails the Third Round giantkillers". Professional Footballers' Association. Archived from the original on 13 June 2011. Retrieved 19 January 2009.
  9. ^ "Gills' Freeman makes Cup history". BBC Sport. 12 November 2007. Retrieved 1 February 2008.
  10. ^ Bradbury, Jamie (15 March 2003). "England earn Euro finals spot". The FA. Archived from the original on 29 October 2007. Retrieved 18 November 2008.
  11. ^ "Lee Holmes". Soccerbase. Retrieved 24 February 2008.
  12. ^ "Burley: Kids not for sale". BBC Sport. 23 September 2003. Retrieved 24 February 2008. Tom Huddlestone and Lee Holmes will be staying at Derby County
  13. ^ Hodgkinson, Mark (26 October 2003). "Poor verdict on Derby". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 21 August 2004. Retrieved 24 February 2008.
  14. ^ a b Jones, Dean (6 October 2004). "Holmes to the rescue with late leveller". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 24 February 2008.[dead link]
  15. ^ "Chelsea eye young talent". BBC Sport. 7 November 2003. Retrieved 24 February 2008.
  16. ^ "Holmes makes Swindon loan switch". BBC Sport. 22 December 2004. Retrieved 24 February 2008.
  17. ^ "Peterborough 0–2 Swindon". BBC Sport. 26 December 2004. Retrieved 24 February 2008.
  18. ^ "Swindon planning to keep Holmes". BBC Sport. 13 January 2005. Retrieved 24 February 2008.
  19. ^ "Holmes keen to extend loan spell". BBC Sport. 16 February 2005. Retrieved 24 February 2008.
  20. ^ "Doncaster 1–1 Swindon". BBC Sport. 26 February 2005. Retrieved 24 February 2008.
  21. ^ a b "Holmes coming?". Swindon Advertiser. 12 May 2005. Archived from the original on 16 May 2006. Retrieved 17 November 2008.
  22. ^ "King heaps praise on young Holmes". BBC Sport. 16 March 2005. Retrieved 24 February 2008.
  23. ^ "France claim European U-19 glory". BBC Sport. 29 July 2005. Retrieved 24 February 2008.
  24. ^ "Derby duo sign extended contracts". BBC Sport. 20 January 2006. Retrieved 24 February 2008.
  25. ^ Mawhinney, Stuart (28 February 2006). "Walcott off the mark". The FA. Archived from the original on 26 March 2006. Retrieved 18 November 2008.
  26. ^ "Bradford set for double loan deal". BBC Sport. 2 August 2006. Retrieved 24 February 2008.
  27. ^ "Nottm Forest 1–0 Bradford". BBC Sport. 5 August 2006. Retrieved 24 February 2008.
  28. ^ van Leeuwen, Gerrit. "Holmes heads to Holland". Sky Sports. Retrieved 24 February 2008.
  29. ^ "Walsall sign Derby winger Holmes". BBC Sport. 11 January 2008. Retrieved 24 February 2008.
  30. ^ "Walsall 2–2 Swindon". BBC Sport. 12 January 2008. Retrieved 24 February 2008.
  31. ^ "Carlisle 2–1 Walsall". BBC Sport. 2 February 2008. Retrieved 24 February 2008.
  32. ^ "Walsall 2–0 Yeovil". BBC Sport. 9 February 2008. Retrieved 24 February 2008.
  33. ^ "Swindon 0–3 Walsall". BBC Sport. 23 February 2008. Retrieved 24 February 2008.
  34. ^ "Holmes is one of four players to leave Derby". Evening Telegraph. 14 May 2008. Retrieved 14 May 2008.
  35. ^ "Southampton sign Perry and Holmes". BBC Sport. 6 June 2008. Retrieved 6 June 2008.
  36. ^ "Saints sign Holmes". Southampton Football Club. 6 June 2008. Retrieved 6 June 2008.
  37. ^ a b Marks Shail and Dave Smith (16 January 2009). "Lee Holmes – Southampton: Exclusive PFA interview". Professional Footballers' Association. Archived from the original on 13 June 2011. Retrieved 19 January 2009.
  38. ^ "Cardiff City 2–1 Southampton". BBC Sport. 9 August 2008. Retrieved 9 August 2008.
  39. ^ "Exeter 1–3 Southampton". BBC Sport. 12 August 2008. Retrieved 13 August 2008.
  40. ^ Simpson, Gordon (16 September 2008). "Holmes faces long spell out". Southern Daily Echo. Retrieved 1 October 2008.
  41. ^ Simpson, Gordon (11 November 2008). "Holmes on the mend for Saints". Southern Daily Echo. Retrieved 17 November 2008.
  42. ^ Mercury, Sunday (20 December 2008). "Southampton 0 Nottingham Forest 2". Birmingham Live. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
  43. ^ Leitch, Adam (27 January 2009). "Norwich 2 Saints 2". Southern Daily Echo. Retrieved 28 January 2009.
  44. ^ Leitch, Adam (28 January 2009). "Wotte to continue with two strikers against Swansea". Southern Daily Echo. Retrieved 31 January 2009.
  45. ^ "Southampton 4–0 Watford". BBC Sport. 1 October 2011. Retrieved 1 October 2011.
  46. ^ "Lee Holmes Rejects Oxford And Signs For Swindon". Vital Football. 14 March 2012. Retrieved 15 March 2012.
  47. ^ "Holmes signs for Town". Swindon Town FC. 14 March 2012. Archived from the original on 18 March 2012. Retrieved 15 March 2012.
  48. ^ "Four Join First Team, But Eleven Released". Southampton F.C. 19 May 2012. Archived from the original on 20 May 2012. Retrieved 19 May 2012.
  49. ^ "Southampton release Lee Holmes, David Connolly and Radhi Jaidi". BBC Sport. 19 May 2012. Retrieved 19 May 2012.
  50. ^ "PNE Swoop For Wing Duo". Preston North End FC. 28 May 2012. Retrieved 28 May 2012.
  51. ^ "PNE Extend Nine Players' Contracts". Preston North End Official Website. 7 December 2013. Retrieved 7 December 2013.
  52. ^ "Lee Holmes: Portsmouth sign Preston winger on loan". BBC Sport. 25 November 2014. Retrieved 20 April 2018.
  53. ^ "Exeter City swoop to sign winger from League One Preston". Western Morning News. 16 March 2015. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
  54. ^ "Lee Holmes turns down offers from League One clubs to sign for Exeter City". Express & Echo. 28 May 2015. Archived from the original on 28 May 2015. Retrieved 28 May 2015.
  55. ^ "Lee Holmes scores from corner". The FA. 8 January 2016. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
  56. ^ "Lee Holmes Named Player of the Year". Retrieved 15 October 2017.
  57. ^ "Lee Holmes: Exeter City winger suffers ankle injury blow". BBC Sport. 2017. Retrieved 15 October 2017.
  58. ^ "Retained list: Exeter City confirm that nine players have left the club". Exeter City F.C. Retrieved 2 July 2020.
  59. ^ Gordon, James (11 September 2021). "Saturday's Transfer List - September 11th 2021". Northern Premier League.
  60. ^ a b "Mickleover – Appearances – Lee Holmes – 2021-2022". Football Web Pages. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
  61. ^ "F3 Chats to Lee Holmes". F3 Football. 16 October 2020. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
  62. ^ "Games played by Lee Holmes in 2002/2003". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
  63. ^ "Games played by Lee Holmes in 2003/2004". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
  64. ^ a b "Games played by Lee Holmes in 2004/2005". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
  65. ^ "Games played by Lee Holmes in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
  66. ^ a b "Games played by Lee Holmes in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
  67. ^ a b "Games played by Lee Holmes in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
  68. ^ "Games played by Lee Holmes in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
  69. ^ "Games played by Lee Holmes in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
  70. ^ "Games played by Lee Holmes in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
  71. ^ a b c "Games played by Lee Holmes in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
  72. ^ "Games played by Lee Holmes in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
  73. ^ "Games played by Lee Holmes in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
  74. ^ a b c "Games played by Lee Holmes in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
  75. ^ "Games played by Lee Holmes in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
  76. ^ "Games played by Lee Holmes in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
  77. ^ "Games played by Lee Holmes in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
  78. ^ "Games played by Lee Holmes in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
  79. ^ "Games played by Lee Holmes in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
  80. ^ "Starting Lineups - Chesterfield vs Swindon". Sky Sports. 25 March 2012. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
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