HOLMES CHUFFED TO MAKE BLUES RETURN
RICKY Holmes has expressed his delight at returning to Southend United after a 17-year absence and is now determined to keep his boyhood club in the EFL.
Southend released winger Holmes as a teenager in 2004, but the 33-year-old has since gone on to enjoy a successful professional career and has made over 300 senior appearances.
“It’s been known over the years that I support Southend,” Holmes said after signing a deal with the Shrimpers until the end of the season.
“I’m from the area and one day I said I’d hopefully come back and thankfully it’s happened.
“When you come back to your local club, especially the one that released you as a kid, you’ve always got a point to prove and I managed to do that a few times.
“Now that I’ve got the shirt on I’ll hopefully score a few goals and get the assists we need to start winning games.”
Holmes slipped into Non-League football at Chelmsford after leaving Southend.
But he bounced back from that disappointment to play for Barnet, Portsmouth, Northampton, Charlton, Sheffield United and Oxford in the EFL.
He left Northampton in January and has been training at Southend.
“It’s great to sign,” Holmes said. “I’m fully fit and I can’t wait to get going. The games are coming thick and fast so hopefully I can bring a lot to the team.”
Southend have also resigned former striker Nile Ranger on a monthto-month contract.
The 29-year-old spent two years at Roots Hall between 2016 and 2018, scoring 10 goals in 49 appearances for the club.
Boss Mark Molesley said: “His desire to play football again is clear and he is very passionate about Southend United.”