Across four seasons at the Saunders Transport Community Stadium, the popular Holmes made 141 competitive appearances, treating the Boro faithful to 24 goals whilst in yellow and blue.
An incredibly gifted footballer who is a regular fixture in The Vanarama National League South’s Team of the Week and The Non-League Paper’s Team of the Day, Ricky still has plenty to offer at 37 years young!
The former Portsmouth and Sheffield United man dipped into non-league with Farnborough and quickly assisted promotion to Step Two, won the Hampshire Senior Cup and crucially has helped the Club consolidate in an increasingly competitive National League South division.
A true professional who will be missed by all, we are extremely grateful to Ricky for his commitment and contributions to help progress the Club on and off the pitch over the past years.
A friend of the Club, Ricky will always be welcome back with open arms and we wish him all the very best for the future.
Season One: 2021/22
The vastly experienced midfielder signed for Farnborough back in August 2021, ahead of a campaign in The Southern League Premier South. He made 29 appearances under Spencer Day in his first season, before an injury the following January cut his season short.
Ricky’s first Farnborough goal came in an emphatic 4-1 home victory over Bowers & Pitsea, back in October 2021. He also netting the winning goal in 2-1 away victories at Harrow Borough and Metropolitan Police.
The Yellows went on to achieve promotion via the Play-Offs at the end of the season, with Holmes embarking on his coaching journey whilst unable to take to the field.
Along with midfield maestro and former Barnet team-mate Sam Deering, the duo helped Boro to secure promotion back to The National League South in their first attempt.
Season Two: 2022/23
Back fully fit with a Pre-Season under his belt, Holmes completed 34 appearances in his second season at the Club, with Boro tasting Step Two football for the first time since 2014/15.
The winger even took on the dual role of Player-Coach to assist Spencer Day, Steve Baker and Dave Hill on the training pitch and in the dugout when he wasn’t on the pitch.
Ricky rifled in a goal in a 5-1 victory at Swindon Supermarine – part of Farnborough’s unforgettable Emirates FA Cup run in 2022.
He also bagged a dramatic winner to defeat Concord Rangers 2-1, as Spencer Day’s side completed a late comeback.
Season Three: 2023/24
In July 2023, Ricky decided to briefly pop over to Kent to visit former Boro defender Mitch Brundle at Dover Athletic in a short stint, before signing on the dotted line to extend his time at Cherrywood Road.
Switching from shirt number 7 to 26, Holmes hit 40 appearances in another rollercoaster season as Farnborough finished just outside of The National League South Play-Offs.
No stranger to a stunning strike, his first goal of the new campaign was an unstoppable effort in a defeat away at Truro City in August 2023.
He also netted in victories across the season over Hampton & Richmond Borough, Dover Athletic, Truro City (again!), Dover Athletic and at Weymouth on the final day.
Season Four: 2024/25
On 16th June 2024, the Club announced Holmes had signed on for fourth consecutive season, with the evergreen now sporting shirt number 11.
Somewhat ironically, the 37-year-old made 37 appearances in his final season for The Yellows.
Ricky started the season in red-hot form, smashing home both goals in an opening day victory at Chippenham Town, followed by a winning goal from the penalty spot to overcome Torquay United.
He struck goals past Salisbury, Walton & Hersham, Weymouth (wow!) and Dorking Wanderers, all before netting a brace away at Weston-super-Mare in November 2024.
Holmes was controversially shown a straight red card in a draw at Salisbury back in January, but soon made up for it with a goal in a draw at Dorking Wanderers and an eye-catching performance at the home of the promotion hopefuls.
The attacking midfielder got the winning goal in a 2-1 home victory over Weston-super-Mare a week later and netted in a 4-1 win at Tonbridge Angels after a month out through injury.
Easter Monday saw Ricky back pulling the strings in midfield as Farnborough achieved a astonishing and record-breaking 8-2 victory away at Hampton & Richmond.
He played his final Boro game at the Saunders Transport Community Stadium on 26th April; a thrilling 2-2 draw with this season’s Play-Off finalists Maidstone United.
At the Club’s annual End of Season event, Holmes scooped up the Commentator’s Player of the Season, Management’s Player of the Season and Players’ Player of the Season 2024/25 awards.
Gaffer’s Goodbye
Manager Spencer Day added: “I just want to thank Ricky for everything over the last four years.
“We tried everything to keep him but the attraction of returning home to full-time football is something ultimately we couldn’t compete with.
“His performances this season were exceptional and he will be greatly missed on and off the pitch.”
“With the distance he travelled to us I knew this day would come, but we all move on and wish him and his family success and happiness.”
