Michael Rankine

Michael Lee Rankine (born 15 January 1985) is an English former professional footballer who played as a striker.

He played in the Football League for Scunthorpe United, AFC Bournemouth, Aldershot Town and York City.

Rankine began his career with the Doncaster Rovers youth system, before playing for Armthorpe Welfare and Barrow in non-League football.

He scored the winning goal for Scunthorpe away to Bury on his debut with a close range finish from Andy Crosby's knock-down in the 89th minute, which gave his team a 1–0 victory.

He played for Armthorpe Welfare on work experience in 2002 and was released by Doncaster at the end of the 2002–03 season after failing to progress into their first team.

He signed for Northern Premier League Premier Division club Barrow in the summer of 2003.

He was unable to play for them in the opening match of 2003–04 after suffering whiplash following a car crash.

He made 47 appearances and scored nine goals in 2003–04.

He moved to League Two club Scunthorpe United in 2004 but after only scoring one goal for them signed for Alfreton Town.

Rankine signed for League Two club Scunthorpe United on 15 September 2004 on non-contract terms, following a trial after being recommended to the club by Barrow manager Lee Turnbull.

The move came having made 11 appearances and scored three goals for Barrow up to that point during 2004–05.

He scored one goal for Scunthorpe in 2004–05, in which he made 24 appearances, as they won promotion to League One as League Two runners-up.

He started for Scunthorpe in a 3–1 defeat to eventual Premier League champions Chelsea in the FA Cup third round in January 2005, after which he was given the shirt of striker Didier Drogba.

He signed a new six-month contract with the club in June 2005.

Rankine rejoined former club Barrow in August 2005 on a one-month loan, and after scoring two goals, the loan was extended for a second month in September.

During the second month, he was recalled by Scunthorpe, due to injuries at the club, meaning he finished the loan period with 11 appearances and three goals.

He was reported to have joined Lincoln City on trial in December, but this claim was rejected by Lincoln manager Keith Alexander.

Following the expiry of his Scunthorpe contract on 9 December 2005, he later joined Conference National club Altrincham on trial and scored for their reserve team.

He finished 2005–06 with 22 appearances and three goals for Alfreton, after which he was offered a new contract in May 2006.

He signed for Conference National club Rushden & Diamonds in 2006, where he played for three seasons, before signing for divisional rivals York City in 2009.

After his contract at Scunthorpe expired, he had a period with former club Armthorpe Welfare to help his fitness, before joining Alfreton Town of the Conference North in January 2006.

However, Rankine signed for Conference National club Rushden & Diamonds on 24 July 2006 on a one-year contract, having been on trial for three weeks.

He made his debut in a 1–0 defeat to Crawley Town on 12 August 2006, which was followed by his first goal in the following match three days later, converting a Glenn Wilson cross in a 3–1 defeat to Grays Athletic.

He next scored with two goals in a 3–1 victory over League One club Yeovil Town in the FA Cup first round in November.

He finished 2006–07 with 46 appearances and 10 goals for Rushden.

He signed a new two-year contract with Rushden in March 2007, which contracted him at the club until the summer of 2009, with the option of a further two years.

He scored two goals in the last five minutes against Weymouth on 3 April to help Rushden to a 4–1 victory.

He finished 2007–08 with 52 appearances and 15 goals for Rushden.

Rankine played for Rushden in the Conference League Cup Final against Aldershot Town on 3 April 2008, and scored a goal during the first minute of stoppage time in extra time, ensuring a 3–3 draw and a penalty shoot-out, which Rushden lost 4–3.

He joined League Two club AFC Bournemouth on 8 October 2008 on a one-month loan, after having made eight appearances for Rushden up to that point during 2008–09.

He made his debut in a 0–0 draw with Rotherham United three days later before finishing the loan period with four appearances.

Bournemouth were hoping to extend the loan, but Rushden wanted him to return.

He finished 2008–09 with 38 appearances and eight goals for Rushden.

He scored two goals for Rushden in a 9–0 victory over Weymouth on 20 February 2009, who had been forced to field a youth team.

Rankine signed for Rushden's Conference Premier rivals York City on 12 June 2009 on a two-year contract for a fee of £10,000, with York's Craig Farrell moving in the opposite direction.

He made his debut in a 2–1 defeat to Oxford United on 8 August 2009.

He played for them in the 2010 Conference Premier play-off final before signing for Aldershot Town in 2011.

He spent two seasons at Aldershot and during that time had loan spells with Grimsby Town and York.

After a season with Hereford United he signed for Gateshead in 2014.

Born in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, Rankine started his career in the youth system of hometown club Doncaster Rovers.