 In 1999, he emigrated to Florida to set up a property management company, which he sold in 2004.In July 2002, he was tempted back into football when he was offered the manager's job at Salisbury City.Under Holmes' management, Salisbury gained promotion to the Conference South in the 2005–06 season by finishing top of the Southern League Premier Division, followed by winning the play-off final in the 2006–07 season to participate in the Conference Premier in 2007–08.