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 Sports Telegraph | Football | Grimsby Town | Mariners news Boulding holds respect for Town
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FORMER Pontoon End hero Michael Boulding said his low-key celebration after scoring for Bradford last night was deliberate.

The man who has enjoyed two spells in the black and white of Town thumped home the Bantams' second goal in front of the fans that used to idolise him at Blundell Park but didn't mark the goal with any joyous response.

And he says it was planned as a mark of respect for the club where he enjoyed his best times in football.

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In fact, the 32-year-old Mancunian revealed his departure for Barnsley after a second spell with the Mariners in 2004 was the worst decision of his career.

Boulding told the Telegraph: "Grimsby is the club I have been happiest at.

"Leaving for Barnsley was the biggest mistake I've made in my football career.

"I was really, really unhappy about it because I did enjoy it at Grimsby and it soured things for me.

"I have a real fondness for Grimsby so there was no pleasure for me in putting a goal in past them -- albeit to help my own team.

"It wasn't enjoyable scoring at the Pontoon End again in that manner.

"I made the decision not to celebrate - it was a deliberate thing.

"I've got a lot of friends here who are fans and I think people will appreciate that I gave my all when I wore the Grimsby shirt.

"I still keep in touch with people in the area and it's always nice to come back and play at Blundell Park."

Boulding got the second goal in City's 3-1 win and hopes the victory can boost his side's promotion hopes after they moved into third-place in League Two.

He went on: "We got the early goal which was a great indivdual effort from Omar Daley.

"Then we went down to 10-men after Matt (Clarke) was sent off soon after. I thought it was a red card because the Grimsby striker was clean through.

"It probably worked in our favour, though, because a few more yards and he may have scored and it would have been game on again.

"Then, I scored on the counter attack and 2-0 was a bit of a mountain to climb for Grimsby.

"In the second half, we had our backs to the wall and Grimsby were bombarding us.

"We managed to hold out and then score another on the break and then it was too little, too late for Grimsby when they got one back.

"It's good for us after a bit of a sticky patch.

"We are doing okay. It's a big club and there is a lot of pressure with the expectation on the team.

"We have a decent team so hopefully we'll be challenging come May."

So Bradford are back in among the frontrunners but what does the striker, who was linked with a third stint at Town before joining the Bantams in the summer from relegated Mansfield, think of Town's chances of a revival?

"Grimsby have a good manager now in Mike Newell" 'Quick Mick' added.

"It's a good set-up and they have a great chairman.

"I think they'll definitely bounce back when they get that first win."

  Boulding took his goal well last night and fairplay to him for not celebrating after he scored. Boulding was my hero growing up and it was nice to see him play again. The way he took his goal shows he still has it, shame we havn't got someone as clinical as him in our ranks.
Steve, Healing - Oct 25 2008, 20:56 pm TIM I am in the same thoughts as you m8 Buckley said when he came back he had unfinished business was that to take GTFC out of the league because of him been sacked. IMO we need a very good frontman blow the cost that's the only way that we are going to stay up.
liza, grimsby - Oct 25 2008, 20:09 pm it,s a mark of respect for a dying club. GTFC r.i.p.
tim, grimsby - Oct 25 2008, 11:10 am
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