Jimmy Bullard Bio Send To Friend  

Jimmy Bullard moved from Fulham to Hull City in January 2009 after failing to agree a new contract at Craven Cottage, for a club record fee of £5m.

But after only 37 minutes of action for the Tigers the midfielder was ruled out for the season with a knee injury. Initial scans showed Bullard had a small tear in his cartilage but during surgery it was discovered he had suffered fresh damage to the anterior cruciate ligament - an injury that had ruled him out for 18 months earlier in his career.

Bullard started his career in non-league football with Gravesend & Northfleet before being signed by West Ham United in 1999 for a fee of £30,000. But after failing to make the grade at Upton Park he was granted a free transfer to Peterborough Untied at the end of the 2000/01 season.

After signing a three-year contract at London Road in May 2001 he made his professional debut in a goalless draw at Swindon Town and soon made a place in the Posh midfield his own scoring 11 goals that term.

By January 2003 such was Bullard's form that he was receiving rave reviews and ambitious north-west club Wigan Athletic splashed out £275,000 to secure his services. Bullard left Peterborough having played 77 games and scored 14 goals.

Bullard settled quickly at Wigan and his performances were instrumental in Wigan's remarkable rise through the divisions; at no point did Bullard ever appear out of his depth as the club gained promotion all the way from League Two to the Premier League, where he impressed even further.

The midfielder then signed a four-year contract with Fulham ahead of the 2006/07 season after an impressive debut campaign in the Premier League. Full of running and energy, Bullard's passing range and vision are key features of his game. Bullard scored 11 goals in 157 appearances for the Latics before sealing his move.

Chris Coleman, the then-Fulham manager, described Bullard's signing as 'the best £2 million we ever spent', in reference to the bargain price the Cottagers managed to acquire the player for after their cut-price bid triggered a minimum fee release clause in Bullard's contract.

Much was expected of Bullard but before he could begin to fulfil his considerable promise at Craven Cottage he suffered a career-threatening injury; a dislocated knee cap compounded by cruciate knee ligament damage. The injury would ultimately keep him out of action for over a year.

With Fulham seemingly set for Premier League relegation, Bullard's return was vital in the club's escape. In the Cottager's final game of the season, a must-win trip to Portsmouth, it was fitting that it a Bullard freekick set-up the goal which ensured victory and with it survival.

However, after a good start to the 2008/09 season, Bullard's contract demands were too much for the Cottagers and he was allowed to join newly promoted Hull for £5m.