Michael is kindly sponsored by SHIPLEY BANTAMS

Bradford City beat off competiton from several other clubs to sign Michael Boulding in July 2008.

A promising Tennis player as a youngster, Boulding started his football career at non-league Hallam. During Boulding's time at Hallam, he caught the attention of Mansfield Town and was awarded a full time professional contract in 1999 to end his ties with the sport of Tennis.

Boulding's form at Field Mill created several envious glances from other teams and in September 2001 he earned himself a contract with Division One side Grimsby Town.

After finishing the Mariners top scorer in 2001-02 season, Boulding decided to leave Grimsby and join Premier League side Aston Villa on a bosman free transfer.

He was instantly involved in Villa's Intertoto Cup campaign, but struggled for first team opportunities at Villa Park and enjoyed a loan period at Sheffield United to gain some first team football.

Boulding returned from his loan spell at Bramall Lane, but within six months he was back with Grimsby Town after being released by Villa to sign an 18 month contract at Blundell Park.

His return to Grimsby was short-lived as the following season Boulding moved to Oakwell to sign for South Yorkshire side Barnsley.

After finishing his two year spell with Barnsley, Boulding decided to retire from football and help his run his family's property business.

In July 2006, Boulding confirmed his return to football by signing for Mansfield Town for the second time in his career. Despite struggling in his first season back in football, Boulding bounced back to be Mansfield Town's top scorer for 2007/08 with 25 goals. Boulding's goals were not enough though to help Mansfield escape relegation to the Blue Square Premier that season. Boulding decided to seek pastures new at the end of that season, heading to the Coral Windows Stadium with his younger brother Rory.

Boulding made his Bantams debut as a second half substitute during the club's opening fixture of the campaign at home to Notts County.

The livewire striker secured his first goal in claret & amber in only his third league appearance for the club during the club's win over Rochdale.

He went onto score 12 further times for City, finishing as the club's second top scorer behind Peter Thorne.

In July 2009, Boulding took the generous step to accept a wage reduction to fit in with the club's new stream line budget and secure his future at Valley Parade.

Boulding's 2009/10 season seemed to fall into an emerging pattern of him battling with Gareth Evans for a striking spot alongside James Hanson.

A sending off and subsequent three match ban for Evans in late September gave Boulding the green light for an extending run in the Bantams first team.

He certainly made hay during that time, registering three goals in three matches, including an beautifully instinctive finish against Northampton.

Unfortunately for the Sheffield born striker, a winter virus has floored him on more than one occasion, leaving him unable to nail down a regular starting berth.

Now fully fit, Boulding seems set to re-engage his battle with Evans for one of those striking slots in McCall's first eleven.