Former Barnsley striker Michael Boulding has decided to retire from professional football at the tender age of 29 years old.
The hit-man who was released from Oakwell at the end of last season by Andy Ritchie had signed a deal with Championship side Crewe Alexandra.
His change of heart came due to the fact that he didn’t fancy warming the bench at Gresty Road and didn’t fancy dropping down divisions.
Crewe boss Dario Gradi spoke to BBC Sport:
"It's a shame, but I understand his decision and I think he runs a property business which he can concentrate on.
"The lad also lives in Sheffield, so it's a long way to travel if he isn't playing regularly. He's a very nice lad, I have grown to like him and I would like to wish him all the best."
Boulding is now set to follow another ex red Ashley Ward and concentrate on his property business.
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| Mick Boulding (Floating) Information | |||
| Date of birth | 8 February 1976 | Height | 5.10 |
| Place of birth | Sheffield | Weight | 11.3 |
| Nationality | Position | Forward | |
| Comments | Squad No. | ||
Recent Career History By Club (1999 onwards) | ||||||
Team | Debut | Apps (+ sub) | Goals | Yellows | Reds | |
| 02/04/2005 | 0 (4) | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 14/02/2004 | 28 (10) | 10 | 1 | 0 | ||
| 11/01/2003 | 39 (3) | 17 | 1 | 0 | ||
| 28/09/2002 | 4 (3) | 1 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 22/09/2001 | 24 (14) | 11 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 32 (35) | 6 | 2 | 0 | |||
Recent Career History By Season (1999 onwards) | ||||||
Season | First App. | Apps (+ sub) | Goals | Yellows | Reds | |
| 07/08/2004 | 23 (13) | 10 | 1 | 0 | ||
| 09/08/2003 | 34 (2) | 13 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 28/09/2002 | 14 (5) | 5 | 1 | 0 | ||
| 22/09/2001 | 24 (14) | 11 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 12/08/2000 | 15 (23) | 6 | 2 | 0 | ||
| 24/09/1999 | 17 (12) | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
Appearances 127 (+ 69 as sub); Goals 45; Yellow cards 4; Red cards 0 | ||||||