Michael Boulding is ready to revive his career after claiming he was “mismanaged” by City.

The striker, released from Valley Parade in March, is taking his pick from several offers in Leagues One and Two.

He will make a decision next week in time to begin pre-season training – determined to show that he can still cut it as a goal-scorer.

But Boulding has revealed the overwhelming sense of frustration about his time with the Bantams.

The 34-year-old scored 16 goals in 64 league games, although 20 of those appearances were as a substitute, and he feels he never really got the opportunity to show the poaching ability that had attracted Stuart McCall’s interest in 2008.

Boulding said: “I wasn’t given the time on the pitch. You’ve got to play yourself into form and play regular games.

“You can’t score goals sitting on the bench – and if you aren’t playing, what are you doing there?

“I should have left at the end of the last season. I didn’t and came back and took a big pay cut.

“I tried to do everything right and it went really well all pre-season. Then two games into the season I was dropped.”

Peter Taylor had replaced McCall by the time Boulding agreed to cancel his contract but he felt City had already made up their mind to move him out well before then.

He said: “I think so. There are other people making decisions at Bradford apart from the management. This game is all about opinions.

“Someone can play you out of position – you’ve seen it with the England squad in the World Cup – and the player looks like a duck out of water.

“It was through no lack of effort on my part, I just think I got mismanaged.

“You bring in someone and then don’t play to their strengths. So why have you got him?

“You bring a goal-scorer to the club and then don’t play him or try to get the best out of him.

“It’s frustrating for strikers when they do start games and get dragged off in the last 20 minutes having put in all the hard work. That’s when you get goals – it’s ridiculous.

“But a few players have been in the same position as me at different clubs. It’s all down to what people think of you.

“I think from my point of view, the best thing for me was to get away from Bradford. But time will tell.”

Boulding insists his confidence has not been knocked as he looks forward to the next challenge.

He said: “I definitely have a new club. It’s just at what level.

“The worst-case scenario would be League Two. People know my pedigree and it’s just a matter of showing some of the higher clubs that I’ve still got it.

“It’s a new start and the chance to prove that I’m still fit and sharp. I’m looking forward to getting back to business.

“But I just hope that Bradford get the success they deserve and are craving for. There are 12,000 people turning up every week and they desperately need some success.

“I genuinely really hope that they can do it this season.”