Legend is not a word that should be thrown around easily, but at Lincoln City, Michael Bostwick is a legend.
It seems that Bozzie is not quite done with his career yet, despite reaching the ripe old age of 38. The Eltham-born defender has agreed to join Bourne Town for the 2026/27 season, giving the Wakes a hugely experienced figure ahead of the new campaign.
Bostwick Is A Wake
The club announced the move with the line “Bostwick is a Wake”, confirming that the experienced defender will link up with them next season. Bourne described the 38-year-old as a player who brings “experience and real quality”, which feels about right for a footballer whose career has taken in some serious mileage across the EFL and National League system.
Bostwick needs little introduction to readers on this site. He arrived at Sincil Bank in 2017 in a deal that went over £125,000, but also included Harry Anderson, so neither was the club’s record signing. He quickly became one of the defining figures of the Danny Cowley era, the sort of player who seemed to give City a bit more presence just by being on the pitch. He could operate in midfield or at centre-back, but wherever he played, he brought aggression, composure and that unmistakable willingness to put his head, boot or body wherever it needed to go.
His time with the Imps coincided with one of the most memorable periods in the club’s modern history. Bostwick was part of the side that won the EFL Trophy in 2018, with City beating Shrewsbury Town at Wembley, and he was then a key figure in the 2018/19 League Two title-winning campaign. That season also saw him named Lincoln City Player of the Year, recognition of just how important he had become to a side that was built on structure, resilience and character.
There was more to him than football. Whether it was tales of him signing because Ian McCallum cooked his family food while he toured the ground, or leaving an empty seat at a press conference put on to discuss his contract extension, there was something enigmatic about Michael Bostwick. Once he finished playing, I could see him riding off into the sunset on a Harley, or buying a log cabin in Idaho and hunting bears without a weapon.
A Vastly Experienced Addition
After leaving Sincil Bank, he went on to represent Burton Albion, which isn’t in Idaho but is accessible on a Harley. He later returned to Stevenage and then joined Boston United, where he was part of the Pilgrims’ promotion through the National League North play-offs in 2024. More recently, he has been with St Albans City, adding further non-league experience to a career that has already stretched beyond 800 senior appearances in all competitions.
This feels like a statement addition for Bourne, a town close to where Bostwick has his home. He is not merely a recognisable name, but someone who has spent years in demanding dressing rooms, winning promotions, collecting trophies and playing in sides with clear expectations. Even at this stage of his career, that sort of know-how can be invaluable, particularly for a club looking to strengthen the standards around the group.
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