Record-breaking Lee Holmes first appeared on the senior scene while still at school.

On Boxing Day 2002, at home to Grimsby Town, the left-winger was thrown on in the second half - aged just 15 years and 267 days, becoming the club's youngest-ever player in the process.

Ten days later he became the youngest-ever player to appear in the 'proper' rounds of the FA Cup, though that record was pipped in November 2007 by Gillingham striker Luke Freeman, at 15 years and 233 days.

In 2003/04 the Derbyshire lad made the breakthrough to regular first-team action while still aged only 16, along with his fellow young stars Tom Huddlestone and Nathan Doyle.

Holmes, an England international up to U20 level, spent a successful loan spell with Swindon Town in the spring of 2005 and picked up the Robins' Young Player of the Year award - despite making only 15 appearances for them.

Holmes joined Bradford City at the start of 2006/07 for a loan deal until Christmas, and he was a popular player in West Yorkshire.

He was due to stay with Bradford until the end of the campaign but an ankle injury scuppered those hopes.

Holmes has been a regular in the Rams' reserves this season and received his first call-up to a senior squad since the last day of 2005/06 when he was an unused substitute for the pre-Christmas draw at Newcastle.

In January he joined Coca-Cola League 1 side Walsall on a loan deal that ran until the end of 2007/08.

LAST UPDATED: May 8 2008.

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