New signing Derek Holmes goes straight into United’s squad wearing the coveted number nine shirt for the FA Trophy game at Woking on Saturday. Lanark born target-man Holmes joins Carlisle on a contract running until the end of season 2005-06 for an undisclosed fee after a near three and a half-year stint on the south coast with Bournemouth.
Holmes was out of contract with the Cherries this summer and after three weeks of negotiation and some last-minute fee wrangling between Fred Story and his Bournemouth counterpart Peter Phillips the Scot finally signed on the dotted line on Wednesday afternoon.
The Cherries had seen Holmes score 18 times for them in 72 starts (plus 64 as a substitute) after signing him from ex-Highland League club Ross County in November 2001 and with the burly striker being out of contract this summer Bournemouth decided to cash in early, boss Sean O’Driscoll saying on the Dorset club’s official website :
" Derek has been a model professional both on and off the pitch. He and his wife are expecting their first child so a move closer to home and first team football obviously appeal."
O'Driscoll added : "Derek is out of contract in the summer and it would have been a difficult decision not to let him go, and despite having a small squad saving on his wages could help us bring someone else in."
Blues boss Paul Simpson will be hoping that Holmes can fill the void left by Andy Preece’s departure to take over the managerial reins at Worcester City and that the Scot can help United turn their season back round.