Matty Holmes

Matthew Jason Holmes (born 1 August 1969) is an English former professional footballer who played as a midfielder.

He notably played in the Premier League for West Ham United, Blackburn Rovers and Charlton Athletic. He also played in the Football League for AFC Bournemouth and Cardiff City. In 2000 he went into semi-retirement at the age of 30 due to an injury inflicted by Australian defender Kevin Muscat during an FA Cup game in 1998. He later played at non-league level for Dorchester Town.

Club career Holmes joined AFC Bournemouth in 1986 where he remained until 1992 when he joined West Ham United. The fee was an initial £40,000 rising to £60,000 on appearances. Making his debut on 19 August 1992 in a 2–0 away defeat to Newcastle United,

Coaching career He now runs a coaching school in the Dorset and Hampshire areas, which is aimed at children between the ages of five and twelve, and works for Bournemouth running centre of excellence age groups 6 - 11 and local development centres.

Personal life He is the nephew of former Middlesbrough, Bolton Wanderers and Arsenal manager Bruce Rioch.

In 2004, Holmes was awarded £250,000 by the English High court for damages resulting from the tackle by Kevin Muscat.