Ipswich Town
Born:
Joined the Tigers:
23rd October 1978, Newham
22nd January 2009, from Fulham
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The signature transfer of Hull City's first season in the Premier League, Bullard was £5 million worth of fringe England international midfield lured to the KC by a lengthier contract than Fulham could offer. Bullard is a Londoner whose early career saw him play in the non-leagues for Gravesend & Northfleet before a dream move to boyhood favourites West Ham United faltered. He fought his way into the top flight after learning his trade at Peterborough and Wigan and in the Autumn of 2008 he was called up to the England squad by Fabio Capello.
Bullard's debut as a substitute at West Ham resulted in him suffering a knee injury that eventually required major reconstructive surgery (it was an injury to the same knee that saw him out of the game for 16 months when he damaged it at Fulham in 2006). Thus his contribution to the Tigers cause during 2008-09 lasted a meagre 37 minutes. But when he returned the following season, his re-emergence coincided with the return of Adam Pearson and he inspired a total reversal in form as he contributed goals and assists aplenty - he even exorcised a ghost when he led a marvellous goal celebration (pictured) at Eastlands during November 2009. Alas seven days later he again tweaked a knee and Cty's form collapsed once more.
As news emerged of Bullard's steepling contract, failed medical and prodigious drinking exploits, he became a totem for the excessiveness of Paul Duffen's failed largesse. And when he returned to the first team to lead the Tigers' relegation fight and played rather poorly, jibbing out of tackles and misplacing passes, he became an magnet for the negativity that surrounded City's descent to the Championship. Bullard was frozen out by city during the Summer of 2010, unable to agree terms with Celtic for a loan and denied a squad number. His future with City may be uncertain, but his £45,000 per week wages are secure. All in all, a briefly glorious but ultimately messy episode in Tigers history, which drew to a partial close when he was loaned to Ipswich in January 2011.
In July 2011 Bullard was suspended for two weeks after allegations of misconduct during a pre-season training trip in Slovenia, events that eventually led to contract termination and a free transfer to Ipswich Town. An ignominious end to a messy episode in the Tigers' history.