The same summer he was awarded his first professional contract and he made his senior debut for the club in the League Cup tie against Mansfield Town on 15 August 1995.
A career in non-league football followed; he signed for Accrington Stanley ahead of the 1997–98 season and spent 18 months with the club before being released after the arrival of new manager Wayne Harrison in January 1999.
[2] After spending several months without a club, Borland joined North West Counties League side Rossendale United along with fellow former Accrington players Glenn Little and Paul Daughtry.
[3] Borland was a regular starter for Rossendale during his first year at the club, but then suffered a back injury which limited his appearances and eventually forced him to announce his retirement from football in November 2001.
[4] During the next three years, Borland played amateur football in the West Riding League before returning to the semi-professional game with Colne, signing for the club along with ex-Burnley forward Andy Payton during the 2004 close season.