James Richard Bullard (born 23 October 1978) is an English former professional footballer, coach and television personality.

On 1 October 2012, Bullard retired from professional football, because problems with his knees meant he was unable to keep up the playing demands of up to two games a week.

He started his career in non-League football with amateur club Corinthian before moving to Dartford, where he made 26 appearances in the 1997–98 season.

[8] Initially he was on trial but he was offered a permanent deal after impressing manager Barry Fry with his pace, energy and eye for goal.

[12] On 28 April 2006, it was announced that Bullard would sign for Fulham at the end of the 2005–06 season after a £2.5 million[13] offer from the London club triggered a release clause in his contract.

[13] Three days later, after he scored a 28-yard (26 m) curling free kick against Sheffield United in a 1–0 win, Fulham boss Chris Coleman hailed Bullard as "the best £2million we've ever spent".

He scored an identical free kick weeks later, to rescue a point against Blackburn Rovers and keep Fulham's hope of Premier League survival alive.

[19] After missing a large part of the season due to injury, his return to the team, along with club captain Brian McBride, sparked Fulham into a run of form which saw them move out of the bottom three with one game remaining, after a 2–0 victory over Birmingham City.

[27] On 23 January 2009, Bullard completed a move to Hull City for £5 million, a record transfer fee paid by the club.

"[30] Bullard made his Hull debut as a substitute in their 28 January match against West Ham, but picked up a knee injury during the game.

[32] It was sufficiently serious to necessitate Bullard flying back to the same surgeon, Richard Steadman, in the United States for further knee surgery.

[38] Against Aston Villa on 5 December, Bullard went up for an aerial challenge against James Milner and landed awkwardly, injuring his knee.

[44] The club opted to exclude Bullard from pre-season friendlies to reduce the risk of injury preventing the player's sale.

[citation needed] On 25 August, Bullard joined Ipswich Town on a permanent deal, signing a two-year contract.

Jewell highlighted that Bullard "loved playing football and training", deciding that a two-week suspension was the best way to discipline him.

Bullard left Ipswich by mutual consent in August 2012; even though he was highly rated by Jewell he was unable to guarantee him regular first-team football.

[53] On 28 August 2012, Bullard signed a short-term contract with Milton Keynes Dons, with a deal running until 31 December,[54] but he announced his retirement from football on 1 October of the same year due to injuries.

Bullard said "In the summer I knew I wanted to give it one last crack and show people what I could do, But what I think with my strong head and what I could physically do are two different things.

[58] In the run-up to the 2006 FIFA World Cup, it was reported that Bullard was contemplating an international call-up from the Nationalmannschaft, having made his interest known to the national coach Jürgen Klinsmann.

[58] He was called into the England squad in August 2008 for the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Croatia in September, but did not feature in either match.

[65][66][67][68] Alongside comedians Rob Beckett and Ian Smith, Bullard hosted UK television channel Dave's comedy-football podcast The Magic Sponge.

[70] Bullard has continued to make television appearances in 2015, as a guest on Channel 4's Sunday Brunch and ITV2's Reality Bites and as a pundit on Match of the Day for the FA Cup third round tie between Arsenal and Hull City.

Extra Time Management firstly helps sports persons deal with depression and other mental health issues and then begins to find new careers for their clients.

[73] Bullard was the host's assistant on the first series of ITV comedy panel show Play to the Whistle, starring alongside Bradley Walsh, Frank Lampard and Holly Willoughby.

Bullard has co-hosted Sky Sports' Soccer AM since August 2017, initially alongside John Fendley and Lloyd Griffith.