After struggling to break into the first team at Bradford, Bolland signed for Notts County, initially on loan, and then permanently for £75,000.
Bolland was unexpectedly not given a contract extension by Notts County at the end of the 2004–05 season, prompting him to join Grimsby Town.
He slotted into his familiar central midfield role, alongside fellow new signings Jean-Paul Kamudimba Kalala and Ciaran Toner.
Paul kept his regular role in the 2006–07 season, briefly captaining the side on several occasions under short lived manager Graham Rodger and his replacement Alan Buckley.
On 15 September 2007, he made his 100th appearance for Grimsby, and later on in the same season, he scored one of his most notable goals which came in the Football League Trophy semi-final first leg against Morecambe in a 1–0 win at Christie Park.
Bolland made 19 appearances for Harrogate, scoring twice and helping the club stave off relegation from the Conference North.