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It's amazing to think that when he joined the Bluebirds in June 1999, Boland was considered to be the club's biggest signing for years. That was despite the fact that he was a Coventry City reserve who had played in just one game, a League Cup tie at Southend, during the previous campaign. How things have changed.
In his time here, Boland played under six different managers (Frank Burrows, Billy Ayre, Bobby Gould, Alan Cork, Lennie Lawrence and Dave Jones). Although his style of play often had its critics (myself included), his effort and commitment were never in doubt and won him plenty of admirers amongst City's support.
What follows is a brief breakdown of Boland's seven-year career as a Cardiff City player. I bet some fans will be surprised to learn that Willie was in the City team when it recorded almost all of its most notable triumphs in recent times. I'll admit that I was.
Good luck to Willie Boland wherever he goes next. While he was by no means one of the best players I've seen in a City shirt, he certainly served the club well during his time at Ninian Park.
JUNE 1999 to MAY 2006 – THE BOLAND YEARS
24/6/1999 – City sign 23 year-old central midfielder Willie Boland on a free transfer from Coventry City. Boland had made 43 (+20) Premiership appearances for the Sky Blues, and is considered a major signing for the Second Division Bluebirds. The Republic of Ireland ‘B' international signs a three-year contract at Ninian Park, having turned down the offer of a new one-year contract at Highfield Road.
27/7/1999 – Boland scores four times in an 8-3 friendly victory over Bath City at Twerton Park. The goals bring his total to seven in Cardiff's pre-season matches.
7/8/1999 – The Irishman marks his Football League debut for City by scoring the equalizing goal from the penalty spot in a 1-1 draw with Millwall at Ninian Park.
30/1/2000 – After a poor run of form, Boland is substituted during a 1-3 home defeat at the hands of Luton Town. The match proves to be manager Frank Burrows' last in charge of Cardiff, and Boland is subsequently dropped from the squad by caretaker boss Billy Ayre. He spends almost three months out of the first team picture.
2/5/2000 – Boland is restored to the starting line-up for the last five games of the season, and is in the side that is beaten 1-4 at Gillingham's Priestfield Stadium as relegation to the Third Division is confirmed.
26/8/2000 – Having been made team captain by new manager Bobby Gould, Boland suffers a fractured fibula during a 2-2 draw with Barnet at Underhill. The injury keeps him out of the side for almost five months.
16/4/2001 – Boland is sent off for the first time in City colours during a thrilling 3-3 draw with Chesterfield at Ninian Park.
21/4/2001 – Seven days later he is a member of the team that clinches promotion to the Second Division with another 3-3 draw at York City's Bootham Crescent ground.
6/1/2002 – The midfielder plays a major role as the Bluebirds battle their way to a sensational 2-1 FA Cup 3rd round triumph over Premiership leaders Leeds United at a packed Ninian Park.
16/3/2002 – Boland is in the City line-up that scores an amazing 7-1 victory over Oldham at Boundary Park; it is a new club record away league win.
1/5/2002 – Having made 40 (+2) league appearances, his highest tally in any one season, Boland is a part of the City side that suffers Second Division play-off semi-final heartbreak at Ninian Park, losing 0-2 to Stoke City after extra time.
7/12/2002 – Boland scores his fourth and final goal for Cardiff during a 3-0 FA Cup 2nd round victory over Margate at Dover.
10/5/2003 – The Irishman delivers a superb cross which is headed home by Peter Thorne to give the Bluebirds a 1-0 first leg lead over arch rivals Bristol City in the Second Division play-off semi finals.
13/5/2003 – Boland and his team-mates battle to a 0-0 draw at Ashton Gate and clinch a place in the play-off final at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.
25/5/2003 – An Andy Campbell goal in extra time gives City a memorable 1-0 play-off final victory over Queens Park Rangers in front of 66,096 fans at the Millennium Stadium. Willie Boland is a member of the victorious Bluebirds team on what is one of the biggest days in the club's history.
10/8/2003 – Boland plays in the side that draws 0-0 at Rotherham in the opening game of the 2003/04 campaign – City's first match at Championship level since 1984/85.
23/8/2003 – The midfielder features in the City team that records a 2-1 triumph away at Nottingham Forest - the club's first victory at Championship level since April 1985.
30/4/2005 – Boland is in the Bluebirds side that draws 1-1 with Gillingham at the Priestfield Stadium. The result guarantees City's survival in the Championship after a season of struggle at the wrong end of the table.
10/12/2005 – Boland produces an outstanding display as City defeat Leeds United 1-0 at Elland Road – Cardiff's first win at the famous Yorkshire ground since March 1921.
30/4/2006 – The former Irish Under-21 international makes the last of his 252 first team appearances for the Bluebirds in a 1-3 defeat at Coventry City's Ricoh Arena.
WILLIE BOLAND'S CARDIFF CITY FOOTBALL LEAGUE STATISTICS
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2000/2001: 25 apps, 1 g
2001/2002: 40 (+2) apps, 1 g
2002/2003: 40 (+1) apps
2003/2004: 33 (+4) apps
2004/2005: 18 (+3) apps
2005/2006: 11 (+4) apps
Totals: 187 (+22) apps, 3 g
Willie Boland's Cardiff City career statistics including Football League, FA Cup, League Cup, Autoglass Trophy, FAW Premier Cup and Play-Off matches:
223 (+29) appearances, 4 goals.