Rory Boulding

Rory Boulding

Personal information
Full name	Rory Joseph Boulding[1]
Date of birth	(1988-07-21) 21 July 1988 (age 36)
Place of birth	Sheffield, England
Position(s)	Striker, winger
Youth career
	Mansfield Town
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2006–2008	Mansfield Town	20	(0)
2006	→ Ilkeston Town (loan)	13	(0)
2007	→ Hucknall Town (loan)	2	(0)
2008–2010	Bradford City	3	(0)
2010–2011	Accrington Stanley	15	(2)
2011–2012	Livingston	25	(11)
2012–2013	Kilmarnock	4	(0)
2013	Dundee United	7	(1)
2014	Falkirk	4	(0)
2015	Livingston	4	(1)
Total		97	(15)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Rory Joseph Boulding (born 21 July 1988)^[2] is an English former footballer who played as a striker or winger from 2006 until 2015.

Boulding started his career alongside his elder brother Michael at Mansfield Town. He had loan spells with Ilkeston Town and Hucknall Town before he joined Bradford City along with his brother in 2008. In 2010, he joined Accrington Stanley, before heading to Scotland in 2011, where he has played for Livingston, Kilmarnock, Dundee United and Falkirk before rejoining Livingston for a second spell in 2015.

Career

Mansfield Town

Boulding began his footballing career as a trainee at Mansfield Town in August 2006,^[3] joining the club at the same time as his brother Michael.^[4] He started the 2006–07 season on loan at Ilkeston Town, returning to Mansfield to make his first-team debut as a substitute in the Football League Trophy match against Grimsby Town in October 2006 and his league debut as a substitute in the 5–0 victory against Torquay in January 2007.^[5] He did not start a game for Mansfield during his first season, coming on as substitute 11 times, but he signed a contract extension during the summer.^[6] In September 2007, he joined Hucknall Town on a one-month loan.^[7] He returned to Mansfield and scored his first senior goal in a first round FA Cup tie with Lewes.^[8] After Mansfield Town were relegated to the Football Conference at the end of the 2007–08 season, he was out of contract but was offered new terms by the club.^[9] In July 2008, he and his brother Michael both left Mansfield Town after turning down a contract offer to remain with the club in the Football Conference for the 2008–09 season.^[10]

Bradford City

Later the same month, the brothers signed for League Two side Bradford City, joining the team on their tour of Scotland.^[11] He was named as a substitute three times early in the season, without making a first-team appearance, but an ankle injury halted his progress.^[8] Rory Boulding made his first start for Bradford against Chesterfield in the final game of the 2008–09 season where Bradford City won 2–0; Boulding was replaced by Leon Osbourne after 57 minutes. His brother, Michael Boulding, scored the Bantams second goal.^[12] Both brothers had their contracts cancelled early by mutual consent in March 2010,^[13] with Rory having played just three games for the club.

Accrington Stanley

On 27 July 2010, Boulding joined fellow League Two side Accrington Stanley on a one-year contract,^[14] going on to make his debut on 7 August, in a 0–0 draw with Aldershot.^[15] He scored his first goal for the club on 4 September, in a 1–1 draw with Wycombe Wanderers.^[16] On 23 May, it was announced by Accrington that he would be released at the end of June 2011 when his current contract expired.^[17] In all he made seventeen appearances, scoring twice.^[18]

Livingston

In July 2011, Boulding joined Scottish First Division side Livingston on a one-year deal,^[19] after impressing on trial.^[20] He made his debut on 30 July 2011, scoring the first goal in a 6–0 win over Arbroath in the Scottish League Cup.^[21] On 26 November 2011, he was sent off for foul and abusive language in a match against Ross County.^[22] Bouldings's form picked up in the latter half of the season,^[23] scoring ten goals over six games,^[24] including a hat-trick over Raith Rovers^[25] and in doing so picked up the Ginger Boot award for April 2012.^[26] He left the club at the end of the season, after failing to agree terms on a new contract.^[27] In all he made thirty two appearances, scoring thirteen times.^[28]

Kilmarnock

Following his departure from Livingston he first joined Scottish Premier League side Heart of Midlothian, and then Kilmarnock on trial.^[29][30] On 21 July 2012, Boulding signed for Kilmarnock on a three-year contract.^[31] After just six months and making only four appearances, Boulding was released from his contract on 16 January 2013.^[32][33][34]

Dundee United

In March 2013, Boulding went on trial with Dundee United, who were short of forward players following an injury to Johnny Russell. He subsequently signed a short-term contract until the end of the season.^[35] On 6 April 2013, Boulding scored his first goal for Dundee United in dramatic fashion. The goal, an injury time winner against Aberdeen, saw United clinch 6th spot just before the split at the expense of Boulding's old club, Kilmarnock. At the end of the season Boulding's contract with Dundee United was not extended.^[36]

Falkirk

After a season out, Boulding went on trial with Falkirk in the Scottish Championship,^[37] and went on to sign a short-term deal until January 2015.

He made his debut coming off the bench in a 1–0 win against Hibernian at Easter Road.^[38] After a couple more appearances from the bench - most notably coming on as a substitute in a 2–1 win against Alloa Athletic^[39] and playing a significant role in helping Falkirk win the match - he made his first start against Queen of the South the following game.^[40] Falkirk lost the match 3–0, and Boulding was substituted at half time. This was to be his last appearance for Falkirk, as in November 2014, his contract was terminated and he left the club early. He made six appearances in all competitions.

Livingston

Boulding re-signed for Livingston in March 2015,^[41] but left the club later in the year.^[42]

Personal life

Rory Boulding was born on 21 July 1988 in Sheffield, England,^[43] to Mick and Deirdre Boulding.^[44] His siblings include fellow footballer Michael,^[45] singer-songwriter Helen,^[46] tennis player Sally, and Laura, who plays rounders for England.^[47]

Career statistics

As of 22 October 2014^[28][43]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League		FA Cup		League Cup		Other		Total
		App	Goals	App	Goals	App	Goals	App	Goals	App	Goals
Mansfield Town	2006–07	9	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	11	0
	2007–08	11	0	3	1	1	0	1	0	16	1
Bradford City	2008–09	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
	2009–10	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0
Accrington Stanley	2010–11	15	2	1	0	0	0	1	0	17	2
Livingston	2011–12	25	11	2	1	2	1	3	0	32	13
Kilmarnock	2012–13	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	0
Dundee United	2012–13	8	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	9	1
Falkirk	2014–15	4	0	0	0	1	0	1	0	6	0
Total	79	14	7	2	4	1	8	0	98	96	17

References

1. "Rory Boulding". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 26 March 2017.
2. "Rory Boulding". BBC Sport. BBC. Archived from the original on 25 August 2011. Retrieved 6 July 2012.
3. "Rory Boulding". Soccerbase. Retrieved 30 March 2008.
4. "Boulding brothers will join Stags". BBC Sport. 27 July 2006. Retrieved 30 March 2008.
5. "Games played by Rory Boulding in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Retrieved 30 March 2008.
6. "Stags sign up Bell and Boulding". BBC Sport. 3 August 2007. Retrieved 18 August 2008.
7. "Lloyd pleased with new boys". Non League Daily. 21 September 2007. Archived from the original on 12 June 2012. Retrieved 30 March 2008.
8. Parker, Simon (6 November 2008). "Boulding hoping for fringe benefits". Telegraph & Argus. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
9. "Seven players to leave Mansfield". BBC Sport. 16 May 2008. Retrieved 17 May 2008.
10. "Boulding brothers quit Mansfield". BBC Sport. 8 July 2008. Retrieved 8 July 2008.
11. Parker, Simon (24 July 2008). "McCall delighted to sign Boulding brothers". Telegraph & Argus. Retrieved 24 July 2008.
12. "Chesterfield 0-2 Bradford". BBC Sport. 2 May 2009. Retrieved 21 June 2018.
13. Parker, Simon (15 March 2010). "Boulding leaves Bantams". Telegraph & Argus. Retrieved 15 March 2010.
14. Parker, Simon (27 July 2010). "Bradford City old boys Boulding and Bateson join Accrington". Telegraph & Argus. Retrieved 6 August 2010.
15. "Accrington Stanley 0–0 Aldershot". BBC Sport. BBC. 7 August 2010. Retrieved 8 July 2012.
16. "Accrington Stanley 1–1 Wycombe". BBC Sport. BBC. 4 September 2010. Retrieved 8 July 2012.
17. "Accrington Stanley release seven". Lancashire Telegraph. 23 May 2010. Retrieved 23 May 2011.
18. "Games played by Rory Boulding in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 July 2012.
19. "Livingston boss Gary Bollan snaps up striker Rory Boulding from Accrington Stanley". Daily Record (Scotland). 26 July 2011. Retrieved 6 July 2012.
20. "Livingston add Boulding". Scottish Football League. 26 July 2011. Archived from the original on 3 February 2013. Retrieved 8 July 2012.
21. "Livingston 6 - 0 Arbroath". BBC Sport. BBC. 30 July 2011. Retrieved 8 July 2012.
22. "Livingston 0-3 Ross County". BBC Sport. BBC. 26 November 2011. Retrieved 8 July 2012.
23. "Hearts training stint for former Livingston striker Rory Boulding". STV. 3 July 2012. Retrieved 8 July 2012.
24. "Games played by Rory Boulding in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 July 2012.
25. "Raith Rovers 0-3 Livingston". BBC Sport. BBC. 10 April 2012. Retrieved 8 July 2012.
26. "IRN-BRU SFL Phenomenal Awards April 2012". Scottish Football League. 11 May 2012. Archived from the original on 13 September 2012. Retrieved 8 July 2012.
27. "Boulding departs from Livi". West Lothian Courier. 28 June 2012. Retrieved 6 July 2012.
28. "R. BOULDING Stats". Soccerway. Global Sports Media. Retrieved 6 July 2012.
29. "Hearts set sights on ex-Livi hotshot Rory Boulding". The Scotsman. Johnston Press. 4 July 2012. Retrieved 8 July 2012.
30. "Hearts target Boulding opts for Killie trial". Edinburgh Evening News. Johnston Press. 11 July 2012. Retrieved 12 July 2012.
31. "Ex-Livingston striker Rory Boulding signs three-year deal with Kilmarnock". STV. STV Group. 21 July 2012. Retrieved 21 July 2012.
32. "Player Departures". kilmarnockfc.co.uk. Kilmarnock F.C. 16 January 2013. Archived from the original on 19 January 2013. Retrieved 16 January 2013.
33. "Games played by Rory Boulding in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 January 2013.
34. "Bradford City sign Kilmarnock's Michael Nelson". BBC Sport. BBC. 16 January 2013. Retrieved 16 January 2013.
35. "Striker Rory Boulding signs for Dundee United". BBC Sport. BBC. 7 March 2013. Retrieved 7 March 2013.
36. "Striker given opportunity to impress at Dundee United". The Courier. thecourier.co.uk. 2 July 2013. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
37. "Former Dundee United forward in Bairns trial". Falkirk Herald. 5 August 2014. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
38. "Hibernian 0-1 Falkirk". BBC Sport.
39. "Falkirk 2-1 Alloa Athletic". BBC Sport.
40. "Queen of the South 3-0 Falkirk - BBC Sport". BBC Sport.
41. "Boulding's Back!". Livingston FC. 20 March 2015. Retrieved 16 April 2015.
42. Lindsay, Clive (2 September 2015). "Scottish Championship ins and outs - Summer 2015". BBC Sport. Retrieved 20 September 2015.
43. "Rory Boulding Stats". Soccerbase. CenturyComm. Retrieved 6 July 2012.
44. Rippon, Polly (2 February 2009). "Bust firm bosses start again". Sheffield Telegraph. Retrieved 8 February 2009.^{[permanent dead link‍]}
45. Wobschall, Leon (24 August 2008). "Softly, softly is just job for Rory". Yorkshire Evening Post. Retrieved 6 July 2012.
46. "Singer Helen Boulding cheers on her Stags brothers". Chad. 24 January 2008. Retrieved 6 July 2012.
47. "Helen Boulding Biography". Helen Boulding. Retrieved 6 July 2012.