Michael Bostwick

Millwall

Bostwick began his career as a trainee at Millwall, playing regularly in the club's under-18 and reserve teams. In the latter stages of the 2005–06 season, Bostwick joined Conference National club Crawley Town on a work experience loan, making his debut as an 89th-minute substitute in a 1–0 win against Forest Green Rovers on 18 March 2006. He made his first start on 15 April 2006, scoring in a 2–0 victory over Aldershot Town, and finished the spell with eight appearances and three goals. He returned to Millwall in May 2006 and signed a one-year professional contract. Shortly before the 2006–07 season, Bostwick returned to Crawley on loan. He played in the first five matches, scoring twice from midfield in a 3–2 win at Stevenage Borough on 18 August 2006. The loan was extended until the end of the season, with Millwall retaining the option to recall him. Bostwick made 25 appearances and scored twice before being recalled by Millwall in January 2007.

Rushden & Diamonds

Having made no first-team appearances for Millwall, Bostwick joined Conference National club Rushden & Diamonds on an 18-month contract. Managed by Graham Westley, who had previously written about Bostwick's credentials in his weekly column in The Non-League Paper, he made his debut in a 2–1 away victory at league leaders Dagenham & Redbridge on 10 February 2007. Bostwick was sent off for the first time in his career in a 2–2 draw with Aldershot Town on 24 March 2007, following two…

Bostwick was called up to play for the England C team, who represent England at non-League level, for a match against Italy C in Benevento in November 2008. He came on as a 56th-minute substitute in a 2–2 draw. He received another call-up for a match against Belgium under-23s at the Kassam Stadium in May 2009, but withdrew due to injury. Bostwick was selected again to face Poland under-23s in Grodzisk Wielkopolski on 20 October 2009, withdrawing again through injury.

Initially deployed as a central midfielder, Bostwick has alternated between midfield and centre-back throughout his career, increasingly utilised as a central defender towards the latter stages of his career. He has been described as a tough-tackling player, strong in the air and a powerful striker of the ball, with a reputation for scoring long-range goals.

Bostwick was born in Eltham, Greater London, and grew up in South East London. A supporter of West Ham United, he cited Rio Ferdinand as his footballing hero during his youth.