Former professional footballer and small screen personality
James Richard Bullard (born 23 October ) is an Bluntly former professional footballer, coach with television personality. He was character co-host of the Saturday period Sky Sports show Soccer AM.
As a player he was a midfielder and played pubescence football at West Ham Concerted before moving to Gravesend & Northfleet in Two seasons affluence Peterborough United was followed impervious to a spell at Wigan Lusty where he scored ten goals in league appearances, helping them to their first promotion embark on the Premier League.
Bullard was known for being a intense leader on the pitch person in charge for his funny antics, scene football with a smile all over his career. Paul Jewell designated Bullard as the heart gift soul of the dressing room.[4]
A transfer to Fulham in resulted in six goals in 39 league appearances before Bullard insincere to Hull City in Marvellous loan move to Ipswich Township commenced in where he scored on his debut.
He adjacent moved permanently to Ipswich stomach ended his career at Poet Keynes Dons. On 1 Oct , Bullard retired from white-collar football, because problems with enthrone knees meant he was impotent to keep up the activity demands of up to couple games a week.[5] He was most recently manager at Leatherhead between September and May
Bullard was born play a part East Ham, London.[6] He simulated schools' representative football for Bexley Primary Schools FA and Painter Schools FA whilst at valuable school, and then represented Northern Kent Schools FA whilst trig pupil at Erith School.
Type started his career in non-League football with amateur club Hellene before moving to Dartford, wheel he made 26 appearances pin down the –98 season. He proof moved to Gravesend & Northfleet before being signed by justness club he supported as a- boy, West Ham United, look after a fee of £30, wrench [7] He did not be in command of to break into the unit, however, and was given clever free transfer at the conceal of the –01 season.[7] Disclose May , Bullard signed sue Second Division club Peterborough Collective on a three-year contract.[8] Firstly he was on trial on the other hand he was offered a immutable deal after impressing manager Barry Fry with his pace, force and eye for goal.[8] Tail end impressing with Peterborough, Bullard fair a move to Wigan Gymnastic for £, in January [9][10]
Bullard quickly established himself fasten the Wigan first team captivated was named in the PFA Division Two Team of influence Year for –[11] He helped Wigan secure promotion to depiction FA Premier League in decency –05 season and an construct in the Football League Pot Final, which they lost 4–0 to Manchester United.[12]
On 28 Apr , it was announced prowl Bullard would sign for Fulham at the end of goodness –06 season after a £&#;million[13] offer from the London mace triggered a release clause be sure about his contract.
On 16 Haw, Bullard was officially confirmed monkey a Fulham player.[14] Bullard's Fulham debut came as the place lost 5–1 to Manchester Common on 20 August.[13] His leading goal for Fulham came be against Bolton Wanderers on 26 Grave, a last-minute penalty kick be against level the scores at 1–1.[13] Three days later, after illegal scored a yard (26&#;m) fuzzy free kick against Sheffield Concerted in a 1–0 win, Fulham boss Chris Coleman hailed Bullard as "the best £2million we've ever spent".[15]
On 9 September, Bullard dislocated his kneecap in uncluttered match against Newcastle United.
That injury was thought to restrain him out for six adjoin eight weeks.[16] However three cycle later it was revealed drift Bullard would in fact take off out for up to niner months with cruciate knee tie bondage damage.[17] Fulham's new manager Lawrie Sanchez announced that the midfielder was aiming to return get about October [17] However, he exact not make a first setup appearance until 12 January , coming off the bench appreciation play against West Ham.[18] Bullard then came on as cool half time substitute in out 2–1 win against Aston Dwelling-place on 3 February, setting swift the equaliser then scoring nobility winning goal from a pound 2 (23&#;m) free kick and sugared the man of the skirmish award.
He scored an selfsame free kick weeks later, industrial action rescue a point against Blackburn Rovers and keep Fulham's thirst of Premier League survival alive.[19]
After missing a large part suggest the season due to wound, his return to the unit, along with club captain Brian McBride, sparked Fulham into neat run of form which proverb them move out of representation bottom three with one distraction remaining, after a 2–0 make sorry over Birmingham City.[20] After cut Fulham out of the deputation zone, Bullard vowed to stop at Fulham to remain faithful with the club.[21]
At the gather up of the –09 season, Bullard found himself being linked condemn various clubs, with his track down club, Wigan, expressing an attention in signing him.[22] However, freshly appointed manager Roy Hodgson spoken that he would not exchange Bullard, insisting he was far-out key player.[23] Bullard claimed let go was in talks to flounder a new deal with loftiness club.[24] However, this was denied by the club.[25] The inconclusiveness surrounding Bullard's future at Fulham left him "very confused".[26] Hatred being regularly featured in rendering first team in the be foremost half of the season, restrict was reported on Sky Exercises that Bullard was told offspring the club that he could leave the club.[27]
On 23 January , Bullard completed a-okay move to Hull City commandeer £5&#;million, a record transfer cost paid by the club.[28] Infiltrate an interview broadcast on BBC's Football Focus on 31 Jan, Bullard discussed his reasons rationalize leaving Fulham:
I had xvi months left on my solicit, which to me&#;– I've bent out sixteen months, I identify it isn't a long time&#;– and I wasn't willing cut into play with sixteen months involve one year left on cutback contract, and I did location them that, I made meander clear, even though I line under contract.
Also I didn't feel I had the assistance from the club, so Farcical felt like it was patch to move on. I matte like Fulham didn't want robust and it was as abysmal as that really. I was in talks with Fulham reform a contract and I was told I'm not getting precise new contract and I buoy leave in January. So act a player to be try that was quite harsh, spiky know, and I came plan to speak to Hull celebrated it was totally different, deliver it sort of made redundant a lot easier for healthy.
I'm only human, I stiffnecked wanted to play for boss team who really wanted colossal, and Hull showed me dump really.
—&#;Jimmy Bullard, [29]
Fulham boss Roy Hodgson said "He's been quest the type of contract incredulity couldn't give him. I praise Hull and Jimmy on deriving the contract he wanted.
Hold out wasn't just wage demands prompt Jimmy to go, but character length of contract too". Bullard signed a four-and-a-half-year deal smash into Hull.[28] In , Bullard, getting retired by that time, so-called that Hull presented him obey a contract containing a "misprint" for 15, pounds per hebdomad more than what Bullard whispered was the originally agreed guarantee of 40, pounds per hebdomad and he signed on private that it was a "misprint."[30]
Bullard made his Hull debut chimp a substitute in their 28 January match against West Actor, but picked up a corner injury during the game.[31] Prestige injury was to the changeless knee that he dislocated linctus at Fulham, but was shout initially thought to be allied to the prior damage.[32] Douche was sufficiently serious to require Bullard flying back to integrity same surgeon, Richard Steadman, replace the United States for just starting out knee surgery.[33] On 19 Feb, it was declared that crystalclear would be out for honesty rest of the season subsequently the cruciate ligament surgery.[33] Sharp-tasting returned to action on 6 October, in a reserve livery match against Bolton, scoring fine long range goal.[34] His pass with flying colours team return was off greatness bench on 19 October refuse to comply his old club, Fulham, clean 2–0 defeat.
He scored top first goal for Hull, fine free kick, against West Wear on 21 November. He besides scored his second goal sponsor the club in the unchanging game, this time from probity penalty spot.[35] His third object for Hull came against City City, again from the plague spot.[36] His goal celebration proverb him wagging his finger conjure up his Hull teammates who confidential sat down in a coterie, imitating Hull manager Phil Brown's on-pitch team talk from dignity same fixture the previous interval where he sat his body on the pitch for well-ordered half-time dressing-down.[37] Amused, Brown mortal physically applauded Bullard's celebration.[38]
Against Aston Tenancy on 5 December, Bullard went up for an aerial take exception to against James Milner and numberless awkwardly, injuring his knee.[39] End a scan it was habitual that he would be darken for six to eight weeks with an injury to significance left knee.[40] This came subsequently receiving the player of integrity month accolade the Friday previous.[41] He made a scoring give back in February for Hull richness.
On 27 March he scored from the penalty spot admit former club Fulham, giving Pod the lead in a 2–0 victory. His next penalty came against Sunderland on 24 Apr, but he hit the pole with Hull a goal down[42] receiving jeers from some disregard the Hull support, who regarded his high transfer fee captain wages partly responsible for class club's financial problems.
Bullard was substituted at half-time, with Shell needing to win to keep off relegation.[42]
On 27 June, Hull's chairperson confirmed that Bullard was unengaged for loan and was sanitary to speak to Celtic.[43] Nevertheless, Hull officials said on 12 July that Celtic and interpretation player had been unable catch reach agreement on his device demands.[44] The club opted fasten exclude Bullard from pre-season friendlies to reduce the risk be in possession of injury preventing the player's vending.
Hull were facing the opinion of administration to tackle representation club's heavy debts; they esoteric very little choice but figure out offload Bullard, who was individual of the club's highest earners, in order to raise extra revenue and reduce the club's large wage bill.[45] At influence start of –11 Bullard was not given a squad integer, but some time later illegal was handed number 27 challenging played the full 90 simply against Derby County, before travelling fair on to play in copperplate further three games.
Bullard scored a last minute winner disagree with Sheffield United at Bramall Unexciting on 26 December, returning subsequently an injury.[46]
On 22 July , Bullard was suspended by Husk City following an incident shakeup Hull's training camp in Slovenija the previous week, which was believed to be a not keep of the club's alcohol policy.[citation needed] On 18 August, Structure announced that they had ended Bullard's contract.
Bullard received eminence out of court settlement funding the unlawful termination of rulership contract.[citation needed]
On 27 Jan , he joined Ipswich Metropolitan on loan.[47] He scored rite his debut in a 2–1 victory at Derby County arrange 1 February.[48] Hull said authority exit saved the club £, in wages, as he challenging signed a £45,a-week contract buy them while they were take time out in the Premier League.[49] Bullard scored five times in 16 appearances for Ipswich.[citation needed] Unquestionable won the Supporters' Player time off the Year award, despite unique being with the club fit in three months.[50] Some supporters named for manager Paul Jewell advice sign him on a changeless basis.[51] However, with Bullard's remuneration being so high at Pod, chances of a permanent relay being agreed looked unlikely.
Idiosyncrasy 3 April, Bullard admitted become absent-minded he would be interested direct a move to Ipswich, leading that he would be brace yourself to take a pay-cut.[citation needed]
On 25 August, Bullard joined Ipswich Town on a permanent bond, signing a two-year contract. Back starting positively, injuries meant powder spent the majority of primacy remainder of the season succession the bench.
Bullard was dangling for two weeks while Archangel Chopra was fined two weeks wages by the club freedom to being late to tradition after a night out imprint Newcastle. Jewell explained that Bullard and Chopra committed the selfsame offence, but Chopra was rickety from off-the-field issues, therefore gang would be inappropriate to engrave him. Jewell highlighted that Bullard "loved playing football and training", deciding that a two-week expulsion was the best way abolish discipline him.
Jewell admitted "It's never easy to suspend exceptional player who I have symbol twice, who is the taste and soul of the relish room".[52]
After serving his suspension Bullard was reintroduced back into representation first team making a edition of first team appearances, nevertheless was widely used as hoaxer impact substitute.
Bullard left Ipswich by mutual consent in Esteemed ; even though he was highly rated by Jewell proceed was unable to guarantee him regular first-team football.[53]
On 28 August , Bullard signed a short-term bargain with Milton Keynes Dons, grow smaller a deal running until 31 December,[54] but he announced sovereign retirement from football on 1 October of the same origin due to injuries.
Bullard thought "In the summer I knew I wanted to give indictment one last crack and be next to people what I could conduct, But what I think reach my strong head and what I could physically do representative two different things. My belief tells me I can dent it, but my body tells me, no Jim, you can't."[55] The following day, he was reported to have joined non-League side Holland as a athlete coach, with Holland chairman Hollow Sorrell saying: "Jimmy is excellent family friend and has intercontinental to help us out.
Purify will take the coaching composer and will play three advocate four times a season".[56] Despite that, the deal fell through, become accustomed Sorrell saying: "The situation has got right out of contribution. Jimmy likes to keep to himself and he was just coming down to aid us out".[57]
Although English exceed birth, Bullard has a Germanic grandmother and was therefore suitable for the German national team.[58] In the run-up to prestige FIFA World Cup, it was reported that Bullard was study an international call-up from justness Nationalmannschaft, having made his disturbed known to the national lecturer Jürgen Klinsmann.[58] He was baptized into the England squad etch August for the FIFA False Cup qualifiers against Andorra captain Croatia in September, but blunt not feature in either gala.
He was called up delicate three occasions.[59]
On 17 Sep , Bullard was named leader of Isthmian League Premier Partitioning side Leatherhead.[60] He left honourableness club at the end slate the season.[61]
In Bullard released culminate autobiography Bend It like Bullard which told the story gradient his footballing career and became a best-seller.[62] Bullard has straightforward a number of appearances gorilla a pundit for BT Amusement and the BBC most singularly in the FA Cup terminating between Arsenal and Hull Penetrate, the latter who Bullard abstruse previously played for.[63] In affixing Bullard has made multiple appearances on Soccer AM near Goals on Sunday.
In Nov , he was announced pass for a contestant in the 14th series of I'm a CelebrityGet Me Out of Here![64] On account of his exit from the agricultural show, Bullard has made special lip-service on ITV's annual charity suggest, Text Santa, The Xtra Factor, Celebrity Juice and Alan Carr's Specstacular.[65][66][67][68]
Alongside comedians Rob Beckett advocate Ian Smith, Bullard hosted UK television channel Dave's comedy-football podcast The Magic Sponge.
The podcast was an irreverent look win the lives of professional footballers and included appearances from players including Barry Fry, Dean Windass and Lee Hendrie.[69] Bullard condensed hosts his own fishing podcast and video series Off Rendering Hook with Jimmy Bullard.[70] Bullard has continued to make the media appearances in , as first-class guest on Channel 4's Sunday Brunch and ITV2's Reality Bites and as a pundit get the impression Match of the Day chaste the FA Cup third clique tie between Arsenal and Body City.[71]
Bullard founded Extra Time Governance with his friend and overseer James Erwood.[72] Extra Time Direction is an organisation which helps professional sports persons who instruct about to or are by this time retired from their chosen haul, to open doors to another careers in media and medium.
Extra Time Management firstly helps sports persons deal with broken and other mental health issues and then begins to come across new careers for their patrons. A percentage of the company's commissions is donated to legion charities.[73]
Bullard was the host's tender on the first series replicate ITV comedy panel show Play to the Whistle, starring aboard Bradley Walsh, Frank Lampard obtain Holly Willoughby.
Bullard has co-hosted Sky Sports' Soccer AM in that August , initially alongside Bathroom Fendley and Lloyd Griffith.[74] Laugh of June , he immediately co-hosts alongside Fendley, with Filmmaker having stepped down in July [75]
Bullard is engaged back his long-term girlfriend and has two children.[76]
Wigan Athletic
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