Michael started his career as a Manchester United trainee, making regular appearances for the reserves, and one first team appearance in the FA Cup against Barnsley in 1998. A loan spell at Sheffield United saw twelve appearances and one goal. After his release from Manchester United, he joined Port Vale making eighteen appearances and scoring twice. In 2000, he joined Leigh RMI, then in the Conference, and won the Golden Boot in his first season, scoring fifteen goals in thirty-three appearances, and then onto Chester City in 2001. Morecambe initially went for Michael in May 2004, but it took until May before he signed for the Shrimps. Chester wanted him back, but with Michael now free scoring, Morecambe said no, and he went onto make over two hundred appearances for Morecambe and score fifty-three goals. He helped Morecambe into League two, and to the League Cup semifinal. His release from Morecambe in March 2010 meant that he could sign for Celtic and be reunited with Jim Harvey the man who took him to Morecambe.
