Michael Rankine

Rankine began his career with the Doncaster Rovers youth system, before playing for Armthorpe Welfare and Barrow in non-League football.[5] 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.[14] 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.[15] He started for Scunthorpe in a 3–1 defeat to eventual Premier League champions Chelsea in the FA Cup third round in January 2005,[16] after which he was given the shirt of striker Didier Drogba.[22] During the second month, he was recalled by Scunthorpe, due to injuries at the club,[23] meaning he finished the loan period with 11 appearances and three goals.[26] Following the expiry of his Scunthorpe contract on 9 December 2005,[11] he later joined Conference National club Altrincham on trial and scored for their reserve team.[27] 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.[29] 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.[36] He joined League Two club AFC Bournemouth on 8 October 2008 on a one-month loan,[37] after having made eight appearances for Rushden up to that point during 2008–09.[61] He made his debut on 13 September 2014 as a 61st-minute substitute in a 1–0 win against Dartford,[51] and scored his first goal for the club with a close-range finished from a Carl Finnigan cross in the 86th minute of a 2–2 extra time draw to Wrexham in the FA Trophy third round on 7 February 2015, with Gateshead losing 5–3 in a penalty shoot-out.[63] Rankine signed for National League club Altrincham on 3 June 2015, leaving Gateshead as he was unhappy with how regularly he was playing there.[70] Rankine played as a striker and was described as a target man, not being a prolific goalscorer, and he said "I just like to chip away and work as hard as I can and, hopefully, then you get rewarded with goals".[74] York manager Martin Foyle said that Rankine "will also work hard, close down and give us a presence in the final third.
Rankine playing for York City in 2013
Michael RankinYork CityDoncasterStrikerDoncaster RoversArmthorpe WelfareBarrowScunthorpe UnitedAlfreton TownRushden & DiamondsAFC BournemouthAldershot TownGrimsby TownHereford UnitedGatesheadAltrinchamGuiseleyfootballerthe Football Leaguenon-League footballLeague TwoConference National2010 Conference Premier play-off finalNorthern Premier LeaguewhiplashLee TurnbullAndy CrosbyPremier LeagueChelseaFA CupDidier Drogba2004–05promotionLeague OneLincoln CityKeith AlexanderConference NorthCrawley TownGlenn WilsonGrays AthleticYeovil TownWeymouthConference League Cupextra timepenalty shoot-outRotherham UnitedConference PremierCraig FarrellOxford Unitedpenalty kickForest Green RoversLuton TownWembley Stadium2009–102010–11Kidderminster HarriersGary Millsfree transferBuxtonFA Trophyfirst round2012–13GillinghamNigel WorthingtonTamworthAtherstone TownBraintree Towngoal differenceFootball ConferenceDartfordCarl FinniganNational LeagueJames LawrieTranmere RoversNational League Norththrow-inJimmy QuinnMartin FoyleMark RankineTottenham HotspurDanny RoseMichael GashMichael InghamCraig NelthorpeSubwayYork Crown CourtLeague Cup2008–092011–12Football League TrophyConference Premier play-offs