While he is already living the dream of so many aspiring young football players, plying his trade in Europe with AFC Bournemouth, Jordan Holmes never forgets where his journey began in the humble surroundings of Billa Road Oval with the Bangor Brumbies.
Last Wednesday afternoon after another long season abroad, Holmes returned to his boyhood club to take junior football players through a training session on a cold and windy afternoon in the shire.
The Australian U/23s goalkeeper told the Leader it was a happy return to his junior club.
"It was really surreal first turning up here (Billa Road Oval) and seeing the ground," Holmes said.
"I haven't been here in about eight years, so it's really great to come back here and give back where I have so many fond memories of my junior footballing days."
Before the training clinic got underway, Holmes was presented with a plaque of appreciation by Bangor Brumbies club president Brian Somerville who was full of praise for Holmes's willingness to support his junior club.
"Jordan wanted to come back, we didn't have to beg him. As soon as he found out when he was back (in Australia) he was keen to come down and run our players through a training session, which we are truly very thankful for," Somerville said.
"He's a credit to this club and his family and it's so great to see him make good on so many of the skills he first developed here in Bangor."
After four years at the English Premier League club, Holmes recently decided to leave Bournemouth in order to pursue more playing minutes after Bosnian keeper Asmir Begovic and the long serving Artur Boruc ahead of him on the pecking order for the first team.
Holmes joined St Mirren on loan from Bournemouth at the start of 2019 and has also had spells on loan at Weymouth and Eastbourne Borough.
Holmes said he was keeping an open mind about where his playing future lies.
"I want to ideally stay at the highest level possible, and whether that is in Europe, America or even Australia for me now it's simply about getting minutes so I can get to that next stage in my career."
Holmes will be part of the Australian U/23's squad competing in next year's AFC U-23 Championship in Thailand which also acts as the qualifiers for the Tokyo Olympics later that year.
Australia has not qualified for the Summer Olympics in football since 2008 where it drew the group of death facing the eventual gold medalists Argentina along with Serbia and Ivory Coast.
For Holmes, the achievement of qualifying would mean the world to him and would mark his greatest achievement in the sport to date.
"To qualify for the Olympics would be a massive milestone in my career and a massive honor for me to represent my country on one of the highest stages," he said.
"Also, if I can get over there and impress who knows what might come from it."
