William John Boland (born 6 August 1975) is an Irish football coach and former professional footballer.
He notably played in the Premier League for Coventry City, and in the Football League for Cardiff City and Hartlepool United and in his native Ireland for Limerick. He was capped by both the Republic of Ireland U17 and Republic of Ireland U21 teams.
Following his retirement he became a youth coach at Middlesbrough before taking up a role as academy director of Limerick. In 2017 he spent a short spell as interim manager of the club.
Playing career Born in Ennis, County Clare, Boland started his career with Coventry City, making over 60 league appearances, before moving to Cardiff City in 1999. Despite scoring on his debut on 7 August 1999 in a 1–1 draw with Millwall, Boland initially struggled to find form in Cardiff, his time not helped by a broken leg early into his second season at the club, sustained in a match against Barnet. It was not until he recovered from the injury that he began to settle in the side and the following season he was awarded the club's player of the year award due to his performances in a three-man midfield alongside Mark Bonner and Graham Kavanagh. After helping the team win promotion to Division One he gradually fell out of favour under new manager Dave Jones.
The Irishman was Cardiff City's longest serving player, having been at the club for seven years and starting over 200 games, before leaving when his contract expired in the summer of 2006. He spent a short unsuccessful time on trial at Swansea City before in August 2006 signing for Hartlepool United.
Boland became Danny Wilson's first signing. His tough-tackling is something that Wilson had been looking to add to the squad and he agreed terms at The Vic after being out of contract at Cardiff in the summer. His leadership skills and experience were another part of the reason that Pools were quick to move for him when he became available.
Boland is a hard hitting midfielder with excellent player qualities; he has represented his country at Under-21 level.
Boland announced his retirement from professional football on 21 October 2009 having not featured in a professional match for 14 months due to knee problems. His last appearance came on 23 August 2008 in a 1–0 defeat to Stockport County. He scored his only goal for Hartlepool in a 4–2 win over Colchester United on 9 August 2008.
Boland came out of retirement in May 2010 to sign for Limerick. Boland made his League of Ireland debut as a substitute, which turned out to be his only appearance, at Athlone Town on 8 May.
Coaching career Boland moved into coaching and worked with the Middlesbrough under-14 team as well as working at Hartlepool College.
On 5 April 2017, Boland was appointed interim manager of the side following the departure of Martin Russell. He spent one month in charge of the side before the club appointed Neil McDonald as Russell's permanent replacement.
Boland is currently the Director of Coaching at UCD and Mount Merrion.
Career statistics ClubSeasonDivisionLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotalAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsCoventry City1992–93Premier League10000000101993–94Premier League2700030003001994–95Premier League1200010001301995–96Premier League30000000301996–97Premier League10000000101997–98Premier League1901020002201998–99Premier League0000100010Total630107000710Cardiff City1999–00Division Two2813030103512000–01Division Three2513010002912001–02Division Two4214010204912002–03Division Two4104120305012003–04First Division3701020004002004–05Championship2100030002402005–06Championship150001000160Total2093151130602434Hartlepool United2006–07League Two2703000003002007–08League One3401020103802008–09League One3100100041Total641403010721Limerick2010League of Ireland First Division1000000010Career total3374201230703874
Honours Cardiff City Football League Second Division play-offs: 2003 FAW Premier Cup: 2001–02
References
External links
Boland's Official Hartlepool United F.C. profile Vital Hartlepool Profile: Willie Boland