Boardley, a midfielder, began his career as a trainee with Ipswich Town. His traineeship was extended due to injuries received in a car crash, but he was released in May 2004 without playing in the first team.
Boardley, a midfielder, started his professional career with Ipswich Town's academy. However, his training period was prolonged due to injuries from a car crash, and he was ultimately let go in May 2004 after failing to make it into the first team.