From back of the net to internet

Andy Holt

FORMER Latics star Andy Holt has made a drastic career transfer to a Manchester-based marketing company.

The 34-year-old played for the club between 1995 and 2001 but will be hanging up his boots as he becomes the head of commercial development for SEONext, an independent internet search engine optimisation company.

The defender also played for Hull City and Wrexham before retiring in August last year following a knee injury.

Andy, from Stockport, said: “I knew when my sporting career came to an end that I didn’t want to rest on my laurels and it was important for me to forge a new path.

“I’ve always had an interest in online marketing and have been developing my skills in this area for some time. I’m excited by the challenges that lie ahead and feel that SEONext is the right company to support me on this journey.

“I’ll be working hard to help grow the business and will be taking the team-player mentality of the football pitch with me.”

Andy will be swapping club training sessions for sales meetings as he works to develop the company’s products and services.

Mark Blackhurst, co-founder and director of SEONext, said: “We’re thrilled to bits to have Andy on the team.

“He has a natural flair for sales and an iron will to succeed. He is already used to excelling in his field and we feel there is no better match for his expertise than at SEONext.”

The company has more than 250 clients in the EU from its base in the North-West and operations in New Delhi.

Search engine optimisation is a method of putting companies to the forefront of web searches.