Charlton Athletic and Sheffield United had Ricky Holmes on their books during his time in the EFL.

Holmes, now 35, rose through the ranks of non-league football and made a name for himself at Chelmsford City after a spell at Southend United’s academy. He then impressed in a three-year spell with Barnet, then spent a year and a half with Portsmouth.

However, it was with Northampton Town that he later turned heads, impressing on the wing to win promotion from the Cobblers and himself a move from Charlton Athletic.

With the Addicks, Holmes played 64 times, slightly increasing his performance with 19 goals and 13 assists. He earned his player of the season title in 2016/17, but was dropped from The Valley in January 2018, being bought by Sheffield United.

However, much of Holmes’ time with the Blades was spent on loan, playing just five times in two-and-a-half years while spending spells at Oxford United and Gillingham before his release in July 2020.

But what is Holmes up to these days?

Well, after a difficult time with Sheffield United, Holmes’s struggles didn’t end there.

He returned to Northampton Town for a second time in November 2020, spending a few months at Sixfields before his contract expired in January 2021. A month later, he would reunite again, this time joining Southend United until the end of the season after from being released by the club as a youth in 2004.

Holmes had two assists in 13 games, but was unable to prevent relegation at Roots Hall.

The Rochford-born winger then moved to non-league side Farnborough, and the former Charlton Athletic star remains there today. They ply his trade in the National League South, where Holmes first made a name for himself with Chelmsford City.

Holmes has made 17 league appearances this season, helping Spencer Day’s side to 11th place after winning promotion last season. He has a player-manager role at the club, and it is hoped that his experience and his previous success in the EFL can help develop non-league talent at Cherrywood Road.