Derek Holmes
Encyclopedia
Derek Holmes is a Scottish association footballer whose role is a play linking forward to set up team mates in attack. While lacking pace Holmes is big, strong and difficult to knock off the ball. He has good game awareness and is effective in linking with team mates whether he is facing or with his back to goal. Holmes' career is notable for five successful promotion campaigns with four different clubs. Included in these successes are two divisional titles. On 19 May 2011 he was released by Queen of the South
and joined Airdrie United in July 2011.
. Holmes made his first team debut on 10 May 1997. This was when he started in the 3–1 home win against champions Rangers in the last game of the league season. Holmes spent three months of the following season on loan at Cowdenbeath
.
After the Cowdenbeath loan, Holmes started the following season in the Hearts first team squad. Among the games he played in were the home and away ties against Real Mallorca in the European Cup Winners' Cup and a 2–1 win against Celtic. After New Year, now aged 21, he was loaned out to Raith Rovers
for the rest of the season.
Early in season 1999/2000 Ross County
made a £50000 bid for Holmes. Told by manager Jim Jeffries that it was up to himself if he wanted to stay at Hearts or transfer to Ross County, Holmes took the decision to move to the Dingwall
club.
making his debut on 15 September 2001, he joined them on a permanent deal. Holmes enjoyed another promotion campaign when in his second season on the South coast – promotion was achieved to the third tier of English football. Bournemouth stayed at this level for the remainder of Holmes spell there. During his four-year spell with Bournemouth, Holmes was occasionally used as a midfielder. In 2005 he made his 100th and last league appearance for the club.
shortly afterwards. He debuted on 26 February 2005. Holmes added to his list of promotion successes with two in his three campaigns in Cumbria, the first of which was as divisional champions.
, he joined Football League Two
side Rotherham United
. Holmes made an immediate impression for his new club by scoring a double against Peterborough
. He scored the first league hat-trick of his career against Lincoln City
in January 2008.
Holmes had a change of fortune in his promotion campaigns when at the club. Rotherham were placed second before going into administration after which the campaign subsided.
side St. Johnstone on a one-year deal. Holmes helped Saints to the First Division championship and promotion to the Scottish Premier League
in his only season at the club. Holmes was offered a new one year contract by Saints but declined the offer in preference to a two year offer from elsewhere.
club Queen of the South
. In the 4–1 win away to Dunfermline on 26 September 2009 that put Queens top of the table, Holmes took on the role of penalty taker in the absence of the injured Steve Tosh
. Holmes' three goals away against Inverness Caledonian Thistle on 10 October 2009 added up to a 'perfect hat trick' – a goal from each of his head, his left foot and his right foot. This made Holmes the top scorer in the division at this point in the season with seven goals in nine league games. This is an unusual achievement for Holmes whose game is based more on linking forward play and creating chances for team mates as opposed to being a goal grabbing striker. On 7 November 2009, Holmes added another vital goal to his tally, the only score a 1–0 away win to Ayr United to keep Queens top of the table. He did so again on 10 April 2010 at Palmerston Park
against Inverness Caley Thistle
in a 3–1 defeat.
Holmes ended his first season at Palmerston Park
with a league scoring record averaging one goal in every three of his 36 league games.
Among his goals in 2010/11 was his side's second in the Challenge Cup semi final 2-1 win away at Peterhead on 9 October 2010.
On 19th May 2011 he was announced as having been released by the club.
Queen of the South F.C.
Queen of the South Football Club is a Scottish professional football club founded in 1919 and located in Dumfries. The club currently plays in the Scottish First Division, the second tier of Scottish football. They are officially nicknamed The Doonhamers, but usually referred to as Queens or QoS...
and joined Airdrie United in July 2011.
Hearts
Holmes' career began in 1995 when he signed for Scottish outfit HeartsHeart of Midlothian F.C.
Heart of Midlothian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Gorgie, in the west of Edinburgh. They currently play in the Scottish Premier League and are one of the two principal clubs in the city, the other being Hibernian...
. Holmes made his first team debut on 10 May 1997. This was when he started in the 3–1 home win against champions Rangers in the last game of the league season. Holmes spent three months of the following season on loan at Cowdenbeath
Cowdenbeath F.C.
Cowdenbeath Football Club are a professional Scottish football team based in the town of Cowdenbeath, Fife. They currently play in the Second Division of the Scottish Football League. The club plays its home games at Central Park in the centre of the town which has the unusual feature of a motor...
.
After the Cowdenbeath loan, Holmes started the following season in the Hearts first team squad. Among the games he played in were the home and away ties against Real Mallorca in the European Cup Winners' Cup and a 2–1 win against Celtic. After New Year, now aged 21, he was loaned out to Raith Rovers
Raith Rovers F.C.
Raith Rovers Football Club is a Scottish professional football club based in Kirkcaldy, Fife. They are members of the Scottish Football League, currently playing in the First Division, having secured promotion from the Second Division as champions in 2009. Rovers have won one national trophy, the...
for the rest of the season.
Early in season 1999/2000 Ross County
Ross County F.C.
Ross County Football Club are a Scottish professional football team from the town of Dingwall, Ross and Cromarty. Founded in 1929 they currently compete in the Scottish Football League First Division and play their home matches at Victoria Park. Prior to the 1994–95 season they played in the...
made a £50000 bid for Holmes. Told by manager Jim Jeffries that it was up to himself if he wanted to stay at Hearts or transfer to Ross County, Holmes took the decision to move to the Dingwall
Dingwall
Dingwall is a town and former royal burgh in the Highland council area of Scotland. It has a population of 5,026. It was formerly an east-coast harbor but now lies inland. Dingwall Castle was once the biggest castle north of Stirling. On the town's present-day outskirts lies Tulloch Castle, parts...
club.
Ross County
In 1999, Holmes left Hearts and joined Ross County where he spent two seasons, achieving some success by consistently getting on the scoresheet. At the end of his first season in Dingwall, Holmes and his team mates earned a promotion spot from the Scottish Second Division. County cemented their first division status in Holmes' second season by finishing comfortably in mid table.Bournemouth
After a brief loan spell with BournemouthA.F.C. Bournemouth
A.F.C. Bournemouth is an English football club currently playing in Football League One. The club plays at Dean Court in Kings Park, Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset and have been in existence since 1899....
making his debut on 15 September 2001, he joined them on a permanent deal. Holmes enjoyed another promotion campaign when in his second season on the South coast – promotion was achieved to the third tier of English football. Bournemouth stayed at this level for the remainder of Holmes spell there. During his four-year spell with Bournemouth, Holmes was occasionally used as a midfielder. In 2005 he made his 100th and last league appearance for the club.
Carlisle United
Holmes joined Carlisle UnitedCarlisle United F.C.
Carlisle United F.C. is an English football club based in Carlisle, Cumbria, where they play at Brunton Park. Formed in 1904, the club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system....
shortly afterwards. He debuted on 26 February 2005. Holmes added to his list of promotion successes with two in his three campaigns in Cumbria, the first of which was as divisional champions.
Rotherham United
After the end of the 2006–07 season2006-07 in English football
The 2006–07 season was the 127th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:* The number of divisions at Level 8 of the English football league system increased from four to five...
, he joined Football League Two
Football League Two
Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
side Rotherham United
Rotherham United F.C.
Rotherham United Football Club are an English professional football club based in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, who compete in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. The club's colours have traditionally been red and white, although these have evolved through history...
. Holmes made an immediate impression for his new club by scoring a double against Peterborough
Peterborough United F.C.
Peterborough United Football Club are a professional English football club based in Peterborough. Peterborough United formed in 1934 and played in the old Midland League, which they won six times; eventually being admitted to the Football League in 1960, replacing Gateshead. Their home ground is...
. He scored the first league hat-trick of his career against Lincoln City
Lincoln City F.C.
Lincoln City Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Lincoln, Lincolnshire. The club are currently members of the Conference National in 2011–12 following relegation from the Football League....
in January 2008.
Holmes had a change of fortune in his promotion campaigns when at the club. Rotherham were placed second before going into administration after which the campaign subsided.
St Johnstone
In July 2008, Holmes completed a free transfer move to Scottish First DivisionScottish Football League First Division
The Irn-Bru Scottish Football League First Division Championship is the highest division of the Scottish Football League and the second highest in the Scottish football league system....
side St. Johnstone on a one-year deal. Holmes helped Saints to the First Division championship and promotion to the Scottish Premier League
Scottish Premier League
The Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
in his only season at the club. Holmes was offered a new one year contract by Saints but declined the offer in preference to a two year offer from elsewhere.
Queen of the South
Holmes signed a two year contract with DumfriesDumfries
Dumfries is a market town and former royal burgh within the Dumfries and Galloway council area of Scotland. It is near the mouth of the River Nith into the Solway Firth. Dumfries was the county town of the former county of Dumfriesshire. Dumfries is nicknamed Queen of the South...
club Queen of the South
Queen of the South F.C.
Queen of the South Football Club is a Scottish professional football club founded in 1919 and located in Dumfries. The club currently plays in the Scottish First Division, the second tier of Scottish football. They are officially nicknamed The Doonhamers, but usually referred to as Queens or QoS...
. In the 4–1 win away to Dunfermline on 26 September 2009 that put Queens top of the table, Holmes took on the role of penalty taker in the absence of the injured Steve Tosh
Steve Tosh
Steven William Tosh is a professional association footballer. A midfielder journeyman of many clubs, Tosh is currently with Cove Rangers.-Early career:...
. Holmes' three goals away against Inverness Caledonian Thistle on 10 October 2009 added up to a 'perfect hat trick' – a goal from each of his head, his left foot and his right foot. This made Holmes the top scorer in the division at this point in the season with seven goals in nine league games. This is an unusual achievement for Holmes whose game is based more on linking forward play and creating chances for team mates as opposed to being a goal grabbing striker. On 7 November 2009, Holmes added another vital goal to his tally, the only score a 1–0 away win to Ayr United to keep Queens top of the table. He did so again on 10 April 2010 at Palmerston Park
Palmerston Park
Palmerston Park is a multi-purpose stadium on Terregles Street in Dumfries, south west Scotland. The site of the ground was formerly a farm called Palmers Toun. This is on the Maxwelltown side of the River Nith in Dumfries. It is currently used mostly for football matches and is the home ground of...
against Inverness Caley Thistle
Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C.
Inverness Caledonian Thistle Football Club are a Scottish football club from Inverness who compete in the Scottish Premier League. They are currently managed by Terry Butcher and assistant manager Maurice Malpas...
in a 3–1 defeat.
Holmes ended his first season at Palmerston Park
Palmerston Park
Palmerston Park is a multi-purpose stadium on Terregles Street in Dumfries, south west Scotland. The site of the ground was formerly a farm called Palmers Toun. This is on the Maxwelltown side of the River Nith in Dumfries. It is currently used mostly for football matches and is the home ground of...
with a league scoring record averaging one goal in every three of his 36 league games.
Among his goals in 2010/11 was his side's second in the Challenge Cup semi final 2-1 win away at Peterhead on 9 October 2010.
On 19th May 2011 he was announced as having been released by the club.
Ross County
- Scottish Second Division promotion: 1999–2000
Bournemouth
- Football League Division Three promotion: 2002–032002-03 in English footballThe 2002-03 season was the 123rd season of competitive football in England.-Most Memorable rise:*Wigan Athletic marked their 25th season of Football League membership by winning the Division Two championship and reaching the league's second tier for the very first time.-Most Memorable...
Carlisle United
- Football League TwoFootball League TwoFootball League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
championship: 2005–062005-06 in English footballThe 2005–06 season was the 126th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:*The rebuilt Wembley Stadium was due to open in time for the FA Cup final in May. However, in August 2005, The Football Association reserved the Millennium Stadium as a backup, as there was some doubt whether... - Football League OneFootball League OneFootball League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
promotion: 2007–082007-08 in English footballThe 2007–08 season was the 128th season of competitive football in England.-European competitions:In October 2007 Arsenal equalled the UEFA Champions League record victory with a 7–0 win over Slavia Prague at the Emirates Stadium. The record was broken the following month when Liverpool...
St Johnstone
- Scottish First Division championship: 2008–092008-09 in Scottish footballThe 2008–09 season was the 112th season of competitive football in Scotland.-Overview:* Hamilton Academical competed in the Scottish Premier League for the first time, their first season in the top-flight since the 1988–89 season, after being promoted as First Division champions the...