Holmes began his career with Dundee United but made only four appearances (three in the league), all as substitute. A loan spell at Dumbarton[2] for the first part of the 2004–05 season brought him twelve games, but he played no further matches on his return to Tannadice and was released in September 2005.[3] Two months later, he signed for Airdrie Utd.
Unfortunately injury affected his time at the Pars and he was released at the end of the 2009–10 season, moving on to Greenock Morton,[6] where his father Jim Holmes is considered a legend.