Goalkeeper Jordan Holmes is to depart the Fleet this summer with all our best wishes as he takes up an excellent opportunity overseas.

But the former Bournemouth U23 is not going without saying goodbye and will be in attendance at the Kuflink Stadium for Saturday’s home friendly against Southend United as he wishes to return the goodwill and respect the supporters have shown him in his time at the Kuflink Stadium.

Holmes has just represented Australia in the delayed Tokyo 2020 Olympics, an event he has worked hard towards since first signing for the Fleet at the beginning of the 2019/20 season. As a club, we have always been proud of his achievements on the international scene and have rooted for him every step of the way in his quest to become an OIympian, an opportunity and dream few sportsmen or women in any discipline can afford to turn down.

The Fleet have held open our contract offer for Jordan throughout the Olympics training programme and the Games itself on the understanding that he would make a decision on his future at the end of that process. He has conducted himself professionally through this period, as indeed he has during his time with the Fleet, and we fully respect his decision to accept an excellent offer overseas that will progress his football career.

Holmes was signed for the Fleet in August 2019 by Garry Hill after leaving Bournemouth that summer and was immediately handed the gloves for his debut just hours after signing in a 2-2 draw versus Notts County.

Within a few weeks he had earned a reputation as a penalty stopper and has gone on to make 40 appearances for the club, a total that would undoubtedly be much higher but for the stop-start nature of the pandemic.

The Aussie keeper has been a big part of the squad and the club, a popular figure on and off the field and is highly thought of by the Fleet’s management staff. We wish him safe travels after Saturday and the very best for the future – and we will keep a keen and regular eye on his progress. With plenty of Fleet fans having relocated overseas over the years, we’re sure he’ll never be too far from a red shirt and a Pommie word of encouragement or two!