October 14th 1988

A former Hull City Junior, Atkinson has played in every division of the football league during his career, notably in the Premiership during his time with the Tigers.

A central midfielder, he had numerous loans during his time at Hull, starting with Port Vale. Over the next five years he had spells at Mansfield, Rochdale, Rotherham, Plymouth Argyle and Bradford City, before a permanent to move to the latter for the 2012/13 season.

A year later he moved to Southend, spending four years on the South Coast, before heading North again to Mansfield. His next stop was a return to Port Vale, before a short spell at Alfreton, preceded a return to Southend for one more season.

He spent last season with Boston Utd and has made over 300 league appearances, 255 in League Two and scored 30 goals and can play at wing back too.

He was part of the Bantams team that were League Cup runner-up and made the League Two play-offs with both Bradford City and Southend.