Chelmsford City have handed attacker Ricky Holmes the opportunity to further his career in the game by allowing him to enhance his prospects of a professional contract and seek football elsewhere.
The Clarets’ top scorer, who progressed through the ranks at Melbourne to become one of the most exciting players at this level, can now join any club for free having made fifty-four appearances this season, netting twenty-one goals.
His release is expected to trigger interest from several clubs higher up the Pyramid who have been observing his progress.
Holmes joined City in 2004/05 as a winger and burst into the team after impressing in the youth set-up, eventually netting his first goal with a header in a 3-2 home win over Bromley, the Clarets’ second ever match at Melbourne Stadium.
His talent was recognised via an England `C` call-up in February 2008 and he has picked up various guises of the player of the year award as well as the Ryman League Premier Division title in 2007/08.
Chairman Mansell Wallace reinforced the player’s popularity but said: “It would have been wrong to hold Ricky back so we’ve tried to act in his best interests. We could perhaps have signed him up for another year but know he deserves the chance to try and make his way in full-time football so there will be no transfer fee demanded to get in the way of his progress. He has given us years of good service and if he doesn’t secure a contract elsewhere then he is more than welcome to return in the summer.”
