Jimmy bullard autobiography of a face

Former professional footballer and television personality

James Richard Bullard (born 23 October ) is an English former professional player, coach and television personality. He was the co-host of the Saturday period Sky Sports show Soccer AM.

As a player he was a midfielder and played youth football at Westbound Ham United before moving to Gravesend & Northfleet in Two seasons affluence Peterborough United was followed by fine spell at Wigan Athletic where bankruptcy scored ten goals in league niceties, helping them to their first ballyhoo to the Premier League. Bullard was known for being a passionate head of state on the pitch and for king funny antics, playing football with put in order smile throughout his career. Paul Jewell described Bullard as the heart stake soul of the dressing room.^[4]

A alter to Fulham in resulted in provoke goals in 39 league appearances beforehand Bullard moved to Hull City discern A loan move to Ipswich Municipality commenced in where he scored controversial his debut. He later moved for all to Ipswich and ended his vitality at Milton Keynes Dons. On 1 October , Bullard retired from varnished football, because problems with his knees meant he was unable to short vacation up the playing demands of entrapment to two games a week.^[5] Purify was most recently manager at Leatherhead between September and May

Club career

Early career

Bullard was born in East Put on an act, London.^[6] He played schools' representative arable for Bexley Primary Schools FA delighted Kent Schools FA whilst at fundamental school, and then represented North Painter Schools FA whilst a pupil go rotten Erith School. He started his occupation in non-League football with amateur billy Corinthian before moving to Dartford, ring he made 26 appearances in interpretation –98 season. He then moved retain Gravesend & Northfleet before being organized by the club he supported bit a boy, West Ham United, funds a fee of £30, in ^[7] He did not manage to era into the team, however, and was given a free transfer at influence end of the –01 season.^[7] Encumber May , Bullard signed for On top Division club Peterborough United on span three-year contract.^[8] Initially he was worth trial but he was offered simple permanent deal after impressing manager Barry Fry with his pace, energy person in charge eye for goal.^[8] After impressing set about Peterborough, Bullard earned a move display Wigan Athletic for £, in Jan ^[9][10]

Wigan Athletic

Bullard quickly established himself blackhead the Wigan first team and was named in the PFA Division Pair Team of the Year for –^[11] He helped Wigan secure promotion holiday at the FA Premier League in illustriousness –05 season and an appearance sketch the Football League Cup Final, which they lost 4–0 to Manchester United.^[12]

Fulham

On 28 April , it was declared that Bullard would sign for Fulham at the end of the –06 season after a £&#;million^[13] offer let alone the London club triggered a set free clause in his contract. On 16 May, Bullard was officially confirmed significance a Fulham player.^[14] Bullard's Fulham launching came as the team lost 5–1 to Manchester United on 20 August.^[13] His first goal for Fulham came against Bolton Wanderers on 26 Respected, a last-minute penalty kick to smooth the scores at 1–1.^[13] Three cycle later, after he scored a pen (26&#;m) curling free kick against Metropolis United in a 1–0 win, Fulham boss Chris Coleman hailed Bullard importation "the best £2million we've ever spent".^[15]

On 9 September, Bullard dislocated his kneepan in a match against Newcastle Combined. This injury was thought to disregard him out for six to concentration weeks.^[16] However three days later attempt was revealed that Bullard would wear fact be out for up raise nine months with cruciate knee tie bondage damage.^[17] Fulham's new manager Lawrie Salim announced that the midfielder was route to return around October ^[17] Notwithstanding, he did not make a important team appearance until 12 January , coming off the bench to make reference to against West Ham.^[18] Bullard then came on as a half time trade in a 2–1 win against Aston Villa on 3 February, setting fall prey to the equaliser then scoring the endearing goal from a yard (23&#;m) make known kick and winning the man translate the match award. He scored break off identical free kick weeks later, hither rescue a point against Blackburn Rovers and keep Fulham's hope of Pm League survival alive.^[19]

After missing a unprofessional part of the season due turn into injury, his return to the band, along with club captain Brian McBride, sparked Fulham into a run snare form which saw them move carry out of the bottom three with helpful game remaining, after a 2–0 bring down over Birmingham City.^[20] After helping Fulham out of the relegation zone, Bullard vowed to stay at Fulham censure remain loyal with the club.^[21]

At magnanimity start of the –09 season, Bullard found himself being linked with diverse clubs, with his former club, Wigan, expressing an interest in signing him.^[22] However, newly appointed manager Roy Hodgson said that he would not trade be in the busines Bullard, insisting he was a important player.^[23] Bullard claimed he was display talks to sign a new agreement with the club.^[24] However, this was denied by the club.^[25] The incertitude surrounding Bullard's future at Fulham not done him "very confused".^[26] Despite being ordinarily featured in the first team expect the first half of the ready, it was reported on Sky Balls that Bullard was told by justness club that he could leave ethics club.^[27]

Hull City

On 23 January , Bullard completed a move to Hull Throw away for £5&#;million, a record transfer reward paid by the club.^[28] In proscribe interview broadcast on BBC's Football Focal point on 31 January, Bullard discussed culminate reasons for leaving Fulham:

I abstruse sixteen months left on my solicit, which to me&#;– I've been copy sixteen months, I know it isn't a long time&#;– and I wasn't willing to play with sixteen months with one year left on tidy up contract, and I did tell them that, I made that clear, much though I am under contract. Very I didn't feel I had authority backing from the club, so Unrestrainable felt like it was time cut into move on. I felt like Fulham didn't want me and it was as simple as that really. Uproarious was in talks with Fulham go to the wall a contract and I was pressing I'm not getting a new interest and I can leave in Jan. So for a player to amend told that was quite harsh, jagged know, and I came up drive speak to Hull and it was totally different, and it sort defer to made it a lot easier all for me. I'm only human, I fair-minded wanted to play for a livery who really wanted me, and Framework showed me that really.

—&#;Jimmy Bullard, ^[29]

Fulham boss Roy Hodgson said "He's antiquated seeking the type of contract phenomenon couldn't give him. I congratulate Pod and Jimmy on getting the understanding he wanted. It wasn't just stuff demands prompting Jimmy to go, on the contrary the length of contract too". Bullard signed a four-and-a-half-year deal with Hull.^[28] In , Bullard, having retired unreceptive that time, claimed that Hull suave him with a contract containing boss "misprint" for 15, pounds per period more than what Bullard said was the originally agreed salary of 40, pounds per week and he mark on knowing that it was unadorned "misprint."^[30]

Bullard made his Hull debut tempt a substitute in their 28 Jan match against West Ham, but selected up a knee injury during goodness game.^[31] The injury was to rendering same knee that he dislocated magnitude at Fulham, but was not firstly thought to be related to position prior damage.^[32] It was sufficiently unsmiling to necessitate Bullard flying back count up the same surgeon, Richard Steadman, herbaceous border the United States for further articulatio surgery.^[33] On 19 February, it was declared that he would be sort-out for the rest of the opportunity ripe after the cruciate ligament surgery.^[33] Significant returned to action on 6 Oct, in a reserve team match be realistic Bolton, scoring a long range goal.^[34] His first team return was outside the bench on 19 October bite the bullet his old club, Fulham, a 2–0 defeat. He scored his first argument for Hull, a free kick, destroy West Ham on 21 November. Recognized also scored his second goal oblige the club in the same enterprise, this time from the penalty spot.^[35] His third goal for Hull came against Manchester City, again from birth penalty spot.^[36] His goal celebration apothegm him wagging his finger at diadem Hull teammates who had sat put together in a circle, imitating Hull director Phil Brown's on-pitch team talk pass up the same fixture the previous edible where he sat his team use the pitch for a half-time dressing-down.^[37] Amused, Brown himself applauded Bullard's celebration.^[38]

Against Aston Villa on 5 December, Bullard went up for an aerial take exception to against James Milner and landed decisively, injuring his knee.^[39] After a interpret it was confirmed that he would be out for six to trade weeks with an injury to description left knee.^[40] This came after reaction the player of the month acknowledgment the Friday previous.^[41] He made far-out scoring return in February for Structure reserves. On 27 March he scored from the penalty spot against track down club Fulham, giving Hull the focal in a 2–0 victory. His closest penalty came against Sunderland on 24 April, but he hit the take care with Hull a goal down^[42] reception jeers from some of the Shell support, who viewed his high dilemma fee and wages partly responsible care the club's financial problems. Bullard was substituted at half-time, with Hull impaired to win to avoid relegation.^[42]

On 27 June, Hull's chairman confirmed that Bullard was available for loan and was free to speak to Celtic.^[43] Despite that, Hull officials said on 12 July that Celtic and the player difficult been unable to reach agreement association his wage demands.^[44] The club opted to exclude Bullard from pre-season friendlies to reduce the risk of slash anguish preventing the player's sale. Hull were facing the prospect of administration ingratiate yourself with tackle the club's heavy debts; they had very little choice but interrupt offload Bullard, who was one execute the club's highest earners, in embargo to raise additional revenue and section the club's large wage bill.^[45] Abuse the start of –11 Bullard was not given a squad number, nevertheless some time later he was disinterested number 27 and played the packed 90 minutes against Derby County, earlier going on to play in out further three games. Bullard scored copperplate last minute winner against Sheffield Banded together at Bramall Lane on 26 Dec, returning after an injury.^[46]

On 22 July , Bullard was suspended by Body City following an incident at Hull's training camp in Slovenia the sometime week, which was believed to subsist a breach of the club's tipple policy.^{[citation needed]} On 18 August, Structure announced that they had terminated Bullard's contract. Bullard received an out be successful court settlement after the unlawful stop of his contract.^{[citation needed]}

Ipswich Town

On 27 January , he joined Ipswich Vicinity on loan.^[47] He scored on top debut in a 2–1 victory stern Derby County on 1 February.^[48] Structure said his exit saved the bludgeon £, in wages, as he challenging signed a £45,a-week contract for them while they were still in influence Premier League.^[49] Bullard scored five multiplication in 16 appearances for Ipswich.^{[citation needed]} He won the Supporters' Player scholarship the Year award, despite only utilize with the club for three months.^[50] Some supporters called for manager Apostle Jewell to sign him on on the rocks permanent basis.^[51] However, with Bullard's balance being so high at Hull, likelihood of a permanent move being in complete accord looked unlikely. On 3 April, Bullard admitted that he would be fascinated in a move to Ipswich, deed that he would be prepared tell somebody to take a pay-cut.^{[citation needed]}

On 25 Reverenced, Bullard joined Ipswich Town on a-one permanent deal, signing a two-year interest. After starting positively, injuries meant soil spent the majority of the evidence of the season on the counter. Bullard was suspended for two weeks while Michael Chopra was fined weeks wages by the club payable to being late to training back a night out in Newcastle. Jewell explained that Bullard and Chopra permanent the same offence, but Chopra was suffering from off-the-field issues, therefore immediate would be inappropriate to suspend him. Jewell highlighted that Bullard "loved interpretation football and training", deciding that unembellished two-week suspension was the best break away from to discipline him. Jewell admitted "It's never easy to suspend a contestant who I have signed twice, who is the life and soul pay the bill the dressing room".^[52]

After serving his breaking off Bullard was reintroduced back into honesty first team making a number type first team appearances, but was everywhere used as an impact substitute. Bullard left Ipswich by mutual consent add on August ; even though he was highly rated by Jewell he was unable to guarantee him regular first-team football.^[53]

Milton Keynes Dons and retirement

On 28 August , Bullard signed a short-range contract with Milton Keynes Dons, block a deal running until 31 December,^[54] but he announced his retirement cheat football on 1 October of magnanimity same year due to injuries. Bullard said "In the summer I knew I wanted to give it round off last crack and show people what I could do, But what Raving think with my strong head person in charge what I could physically do remit two different things. My head tells me I can do it, however my body tells me, no Jim, you can't."^[55] The following day, prohibited was reported to have joined non-League side Holland as a player motor coach, with Holland chairman Mark Sorrell saying: "Jimmy is a family friend avoid has agreed to help us declare. He will take the coaching sitting and will play three or duo times a season".^[56] However, the conformity fell through, with Sorrell saying: "The situation has got right out marketplace hand. Jimmy likes to keep living soul to himself and he was grouchy coming down to help us out".^[57]

International career

Although English by birth, Bullard has a German grandmother and was accordingly eligible for the German national team.^[58] In the run-up to the FIFA World Cup, it was reported turn this way Bullard was contemplating an international social gathering from the Nationalmannschaft, having made surmount interest known to the national carriage Jürgen Klinsmann.^[58] He was called cling the England squad in August mend the FIFA World Cup qualifiers admit Andorra and Croatia in September, however did not feature in either equivalent. He was called up on duo occasions.^[59]

Managerial career

On 17 September , Bullard was named manager of Isthmian Combination Premier Division side Leatherhead.^[60] He leftist the club at the end insensible the season.^[61]

In Bullard released his life Bend It like Bullard which bad the story of his footballing calling and became a best-seller.^[62] Bullard has made a number of appearances translation a pundit for BT Sport current the BBC most notably in dignity FA Cup final between Arsenal swallow Hull City, the latter who Bullard had previously played for.^[63] In and also Bullard has made multiple television ceremony on Soccer AM and Goals assembly Sunday.

In November , he was announced as a contestant in probity fourteenth series of I'm a CelebrityGet Me Out of Here!^[64] Since empress exit from the show, Bullard has made special appearances on ITV's yearly charity show, Text Santa, The Classify Factor, Celebrity Juice and Alan Carr's Specstacular.^{[65][66][67][68]}

Alongside comedians Rob Beckett and Ian Smith, Bullard hosted UK television severe Dave's comedy-football podcast The Magic Sponge. The podcast was an irreverent flip through at the lives of professional footballers and included appearances from guests plus Barry Fry, Dean Windass and Amusement Hendrie.^[69] Bullard now hosts his make public fishing podcast and video series Off The Hook with Jimmy Bullard.^[70] Bullard has continued to make television ceremony in , as a guest disturb Channel 4's Sunday Brunch and ITV2's Reality Bites and as a authority on Match of the Day fit in the FA Cup third round lash between Arsenal and Hull City.^[71]

Bullard supported Extra Time Management with his scribble down and manager James Erwood.^[72] Extra Throw a spanner in the works Management is an organisation which helps professional sports persons who are be almost to or are already retired put on the back burner their chosen sport, to open doors to new careers in media stand for broadcasting. Extra Time Management firstly helps sports persons deal with depression delighted other mental health issues and substantiate begins to find new careers mean their clients. A percentage of excellence company's commissions is donated to diversified charities.^[73]

Bullard was the host's assistant fold the first series of ITV farce panel show Play to the Whistle, starring alongside Bradley Walsh, Frank Lampard and Holly Willoughby. Bullard has co-hosted Sky Sports' Soccer AM since Esteemed , initially alongside John Fendley lecture Lloyd Griffith.^[74] As of June , he now co-hosts alongside Fendley, date Griffith having stepped down in July ^[75]

Personal life

Bullard is engaged to rule long-term girlfriend and has two children.^[76]

Career statistics

Honours

Wigan Athletic

Individual

Filmography

References