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Mickleover sign ex-Derby, Preston, Southampton, Swindon, Exeter midfielder

Mickleover sign up an ex-Derby, Preston, Southampton, Swindon, Exeter midfielder as they bid to get among the promotion places this season.

Lee Holmes has joined the Northern Premier League Premier Division outfit, who currently sit 12th in the table, picking up 10 points from 8 games played and 6 points from the playoffs.

He will play alongside another former English Football League player in Stuart Beavon who is still going strong at 37 years old.

Lee Holmes

CLUB STATEMENT:

Mickleover’s latest signing is ex Rams midfielder Lee Holmes.

Still only 34 years of age, Holmes was the Rams youngest player to debut in the first team when he was only 15 years and 268 days old, a record since beaten by Mason Bennett.

Over his six seasons at Derby he made 52 appearances, but also had loans at Swindon, Bradford City and Walsall.

During his loan at Swindon he was voted young player of the year and was part of the team that won the League 2 title.

He was part of the Derby Championship play-off winning team too in 2007, but moved on to Southampton a year later.

Four seasons with the Saints included loans at Swindon again and Oxford, before signing for Preston North End in 2012, winning the league 1 play-offs.

After a loan spell at Exeter he made a permanent move and stayed in Devon until last year, making 137 appearances and scoring 14 goals.

He was also capped by England at Under 16, 17 and 19 and captained the under 19’s too.

His debut in a Mickleover shirt is yet to be confirmed, but should be within the next two weeks.

HOLMES’ CAREER:

Senior career
2002–2008 – Derby County – 46 games (2 goals)
2004–2005 → Swindon Town (loan) – 15 games (1 goal)
2006 → Bradford City (loan) – 16 games (0 goals)
2008 → Walsall (loan) – 19 games (4 goals)
2008–2012 – Southampton – 29 games (1 goal)
2012 → Oxford United (loan) – 7 games (2 goals)
2012 → Swindon Town (loan) – 10 games (1 goal)
2012–2015 – Preston North End – 60 games (6 goals)
2014 → Portsmouth (loan) – 5 games (0 goals)
2015 → Exeter City (loan) – 8 games (0 goals)
2015–2020 – Exeter City – 114 games (12 goals)

National team
2002 – England U16 – 4 games (0 goals)
2003 – England U17 – 3 games (0 goals)
2004–2006 – England U19 – 18 games (1 goal)

SEE MORE: Fans stunned as team sets new club record with 18-0 win in FA Vase First Qualifying Round

Don Amott, chairman of the club, said that Holmes will provide vital experience on the pitch.

He said: “I’m a really good friend of [former Exeter City manager] Paul Tisdale and Matt Oakley, and I heard Lee had moved into the Mickleover area.

“We made contact and I put him in touch with John [McGrath], our manager, and sorted a deal out which suits us and suits Lee.

“Lee loves the club, he’s been down to train a couple of times and he loves the atmosphere, how everybody is smiling, and he can almost walk to training.

“He just needs to get match fit. He’s fit, but he wants a couple of weeks to build it up and he’ll be away.

“We bring young lads through all the time and it’s lovely to have one or two older heads on the pitch to help them.”

Lee Holmes himself has said: “I’m really excited to join the club, looking forward to getting my boots back on and having a great season.

“I just want to say a big thank you to John and Don for giving me this opportunity to play again.”

HONOURS:

Derby County
Championship Play-off Winners: 2007

Swindon Town
League Two Champions: 2011–12
Football League Trophy Finalists: 2011–12

Preston North End
League One Play-off Winners: 2015

England Under-16
Victory Shield: 2002

Swindon Town
Young Player of the Season: 2004–05

Fans reacted as Mickleover sign up the ex-Derby, Preston, Southampton, Swindon, Exeter midfielder…

@Coops_011287: Always wondered where Lee went after finishing at Exeter Met him back in 2004 and was a top bloke when I got that chance. Great to see him back in the game and back in the East Midlands! I wish him all the best on his new journey!

@DanAttwal: Great signing!

@ForeverAYellow: Now this is a class signing, can’t wait to see him in action with Stuart Beavon! Got a great team forming, it’s going to be a tough season though, such a hard league to get out of

@joehellierecfc: Great player ❤️

@exetercity1904: Good luck, Lee! 🔴⚪️ #ECFC

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