HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS FOR HOLT

FORMER Premier League striker Grant Holt has re-found his roots after moving back to Barrow as player-coach.

North-west born Holt, 36, spent two years at Barrow from 2001 having started his playing career at Workington in 1999.

He has gone on to play in the Football League and Premier League for the likes of Sheffield Wednesday, Nottingham Forest and Norwich City.

But, having left Evo-Stik South side King’s Lynn Town last weekend, Holt has moved back to Barrow where he will also assist new boss Ady Pennock in the dugout.

Holt said: “I have an affinity with all the teams in Cumbria, everyone knows I supported Carlisle as a boy, and I’ve been at Barrow and Workington.

“To be back to try and get this fantastic club back to the level the chairman has tried to do for a long time is a fantastic opportunity.”

And Pennock, who took the reins last month following the departure of Micky Moore, was delighted to secure the deal after a week of talks.

Pennock said: “Grant is coming to the end of his career, but he can still play at this level, easily. He has just come out of the Scottish Championship, where he has got them promoted at Hibs. He has kept himself fit.

“The next step in his football career is that he wants to be a coach. It’s a good opportunity for me to get on board.

“He has great experience and I’ll take him under my wing on the coaching and management side of things.”