JACK HOLMES has gone from a delivery driver for Evri to delivering crosses in the Football League – incredibly in just EIGHT DAYS.
The 22-year-old, who was briefly involved at Burton as a junior, lit up the wing for Halesowen in the Southern League Premier Division Central last season before switching to rivals Stamford last month.
Now he is preparing to try and fire Rotherham United to League One promotion instead having left the non-league club without even playing competitively for them.
It all started on Friday 19 July when Steve Evans took his side to Stamford’s Zeeco Stadium.
The Millers ran out 4-2 winners in what was a largely forgettable encounter – but it was a potentially life-changing day for Holmes.
His goal and assist in a man of the match caught the eye of Evans and the Millers’ director of football recruitment Rob Scott.
Speaking exclusively to Sun Sport, Holmes said: “I always got told that you never know who is watching every time you go out there.
“I’d only played four times for Stamford in pre-season, but they were absolutely brilliant to be honest.
“The manager pulled me in the next morning after it and said Rotherham wanted to take a look at me and that he wanted me to give it a go. That was the first I’d heard of it.”
Just four days later he found himself lining-up for Rotherham against Alfreton Town after securing a trial at the New York Stadium and then came his toughest test yet.
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On Saturday came his sink or swim moment as he came off the bench against a Sheffield United side largely containing players who were in the Premier League last season.
Just like Sean Bean in 90s hit When Saturday Comes did in the colours of the Blades, Holmes took full advantage of his opportunity to go from playing in front of a few hundred fans to a 6,000 audience.
Within minutes he delivered a brilliant cross for Joe Hungbo to score – and it took even less time after the final whistle for him to agree a contract and turn professional with Rotherham.
Holmes said: “I wasn’t really expecting to play as much as I did so when I came on at half time I didn’t have any time to feel nervous or anything.
“The deal was done straight after and announced that night.
“I was working as a delivery driver for almost two years for Evri. I just delivered the same route each day, so not much changed from day-to-day.
“They were really good to me when I got offered the trial, which was really nice of them, and gave me the time off.
“Then, as soon as I told them that I’d signed, they were over the moon for me. They were great.”
Holmes was living with his parents in Coalville, Leicestershire but is now preparing to leave them and his girlfriend, who he says has “been a great support” and works in Birmingham, to go and live in South Yorkshire.
“They were all so happy for me as they’ve seen all the ups-and-downs of my football,” he said.
“For it to finally pay off for me, they were totally delighted.”
Rotherham begin the League one season with a derby clash against Doncaster on Saturday 3 August.
And the attacker cannot wait to start providing the ammunition for one of the EFL’s most famous and experienced managers.
“It’s all happened so fast but I’m just trying to get myself as ready as I can for the season.
“The manager is obviously a big name but he’s been great and respectful of the level that I’ve come from.
“He has made it very nice for me stepping up to this level and made me very comfortable.
“He has also told me what he expects of me and it’s been really nice to work with him so far.
“As you go up the levels, you’ve got to expect the manager’s to demand higher levels, so now I’ve got to demand them from myself.”
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