We can confirm that Ricky Holmes has agreed terms to be part of Angelo Harrop’s backroom staff for the 2025-26 season alongside being a first-team player!
Ricky Holmes completes a fairytale move, returning to Chelmsford City 15 years after he departed. Already holding over 200 appearances for the Clarets, Holmes returns after various spells with clubs in the Football League. He has played for the likes of Barnet, Portsmouth, Charlton Athletic and Sheffield United. Most notably, in the 15-16 season, Holmes won League 2 with Northampton Town and was included in the PFA Team of the Year for the division. His return to Chelmsford City will see him look to add on the 200+ appearances, as well as the 65+ goals he has scored for the club. His role at the club sees him operate in a player and coach capacity which he has done for the previous few seasons at Farnborough. In the 24-25 season for Spencer Day’s side Holmes netted 11 times in the 37 league games he played.
On his return to the club, Ricky said: “Coming back is something I’ve always wanted to do. I think I said that when I left here. Obviously I went off for a professional career. I’ve been waiting for Simmo to call me every season!
“It might have happened earlier but thankfully now with the opportunity and going full time and being back I call it home. Hopefully we’ll have a successful season like we did when I was here, getting in the playoffs every year.“
Angelo Harrop said: “I am absolutely delighted to announce that Ricky Holmes will be our first team coach as well as a player within our squad. Ricky’s got a wealth of experience, obviously starting his career at Chelmsford, so it’s a fantastic story.
“He’s played plenty of football in the football league, so he’ll bring all that experience. The biggest factor of me bringing him in was his energy, his character and his motivation to succeed and do well.
“He’ll be fully involved in everything that we do, and I can’t wait to work with him. We can learn off each other and work really well. We’re just trying to put together the best possible management squad that we can to make sure that our players get as much help and development as they possibly can. I’m really excited to work with Ricky.”
We look forward to seeing Ricky work with and play for the Clarets in the new season!
by