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Jimmy Bullard: MK Dons midfielder retires after knee injuries

Last updated on .From the section Footballcomments101

Jimmy Bullard

MK Dons midfielder Jimmy Bullard has retired at the age of 33.

The former Wigan, Fulham, Hull and Ipswich player suffered two cruciate knee ligament injuries during his career and has decided to quit the game after seeing a specialist.

He joined the Dons in the summer on a short-term deal and featured three times for the League One club.

"My old knee injury has never allowed me to get back to where I want to be as a football player," he said.

"It's always hindered me. There are a lot of games in this league and I now know my knee won't allow me to play Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday-Tuesday. It's not built for that now.

"I want to be out there playing but at the same time I know my knee won't allow me to play at my best and to keep my place in the team. I'm hindering myself more than I am helping myself for the future."

Bullard made his senior debut at Peterborough United in August 2001 and went on to play 312 league games for six different clubs, scoring 39 goals.

His career was severely hampered by injuries, most notably when he ruptured the cruciate ligaments in his knee twice in three years, firstly at Fulham in 2006 and then on his Hull debut in 2009.

He joined Ipswich 21 months ago, initially on loan and then permanently after having his contract terminated at Hull.

But injuries and a disciplinary breach, which saw him and team-mate Michael Chopra hindered his spell at Portman Road and he signed for Karl Robinson's Dons in August.

"In the summer I knew I wanted to give it one last crack and show people what I could do," he added.

"But what I think with my strong head and what I could physically do are two different things. My head tells me I can do it, but my body tells me, no Jim, you can't."

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101 comments

  • Comment posted by MrBlueBurns, at 14:13 1 Oct 2012

    He always struck you as someone that enjoyed playing, which is more than many do.

    Decent player and useful to any team. Wonder what he'll do next.

  • Comment posted by User0531990326, at 17:48 1 Oct 2012

    He came from non-league football, played in every division of pro football and was a genuine star in the premiership, earning him a place in an England squad.
    But can you believe, in the final years of his career (around age 30) he took career options to earn the most money for him and his family?! He must be evil!
    Or else, the people on here are v.thick.

  • Comment posted by Stuart, at 14:43 1 Oct 2012

    Shame he never quite made it. I think there are those on here who have forgotten he made it to the fringes of playing for his country.

    Good luck in whatever he does in the future.

  • Comment posted by User0531990326, at 18:01 1 Oct 2012

    Oh yeah, and he was "a cheeky chappie" / "joker". I can't believe that footballers might try to have a personality or sense of humour. Burn him at the stake...

  • Comment posted by User0570477233, at 14:44 1 Oct 2012

    Agree with 23. He was a very talented player who was on the verge of england at one stage.... Bet u negative doubters cant say that. I enjoyed watching him play (when he did), and clearly so do many others. Cheers

  • Comment posted by Cowboy Martin, at 14:32 1 Oct 2012

    Funny how many people were saying 'he wasn't a good player' 'benchwarmer' etc. Put it this way, he was better than you! Played in the top flight, had, like many footballers do, a 'peak' period where he scored some great goals and put in some great performances over a couple of seasons. He may not have been the best player in the world but he was a decent player, committed and seemed to enjoy it.

  • Comment posted by User0922503184, at 16:25 1 Oct 2012

    "abolutely no people skills"????

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qfhkwse4RXw

  • Comment posted by User0718181750, at 17:15 1 Oct 2012

    Whoever offered him his deal at Hull should be shot. £5m fee and 45k a week for 4.5 years for a 32 year old with no knees! I dont blame Jimmy for leaving Fulham at all, its not like he was earning top dollar in his teens & 20s so of course he is going to accept a deal that will change the rest of his and his familys life significantly.I know I dont speak for the majority of fellow Fulham fans tho

  • Comment posted by User0389411719, at 15:07 1 Oct 2012

    @28 - ChubbyPandas - Beggars can't be choosers.

  • Comment posted by User0589875101, at 00:45 2 Oct 2012

    oh come on, the guys had his day, he gave most of us a real laugh(never to be forgotten goal celebration) and if someone offered me loads of money to do what he did I'd take it and so would all of us. Weekly salaries offered not fault of player - players dont put clubs into administration its the donkeys running them - ask any Portsmouth/Coventry/Luton fans.

  • Comment posted by Stephen Marsh, at 18:54 1 Oct 2012

    Football will miss you Jimmy. You were like a talented version of Robbie Savage... Shame injuries messed up your career, but that's how it goes sometimes.. Chin up lad, onwards and upwards..

  • Comment posted by User0310291364, at 21:11 1 Oct 2012

    70. Richard_swfc
    2 HOURS AGO
    Who???

    -------
    Wednesday fans, the most deluded supporters in England. Anyone ever listen to that clown Andrew Evzona on the 606 phone in, who has on several occasions stated that Wednesday have a devine right to be in the Premiership as they have bigger crowds than QPR, Fulham etc etc He never mentioned the 13-15,000 gates they were getting in League 1 though?

  • Comment posted by User0457716352, at 21:41 1 Oct 2012

    Not such a joker when it came to getting paid was he

  • Comment posted by User0575237693, at 18:11 1 Oct 2012

    The footballing world is going to miss his class....Great Loss

  • Comment posted by User0310291364, at 23:31 1 Oct 2012

    83. owlsaboutthat
    43 MINUTES AGO
    77 Galaxy.

    Oh dear you should get your facts straight before mouthing off about SWFC.
    I was making reference to the 2010-11 season where you had an attendence of about 13-15,000 on several occasions and an average attendence of about 17,000. I find it Funny that your supporters jump ship when you're not in the hunt. THAT IS INDEED FACT E.O.S YOU FOLLOW

  • Comment posted by bluenosesharpie, at 16:14 1 Oct 2012

    Good luck Jimmy but we Evertonians will always remember you for this..............

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIB7dCl51Z8

  • Comment posted by User0350398259, at 18:10 1 Oct 2012

    #36 'When he loosened the top off a salt cellar one night so that one poor team mate got his dinner covered, I lost all respect for him.'

    Oh quite right, I'd have burnt him at the stake minimum.

    Not the greatest player but a tryer, and his goal celebration taking the mick out of Phil brown will live on as a classic!

  • Comment posted by David, at 16:51 1 Oct 2012

    Real shame. I loved watching Bullard - he clearly had a great sense of humour. Remember the time he grabbed Chimbonda's plums in a free kick wall? Classic!

  • Comment posted by nffc_1978, at 18:36 1 Oct 2012

    Don't agree it was really his fault that he didn't fulfil potential, I mean he didn't break into the top flight until late 20s and then had a lot of injuries.

    He seemed to have a refreshing sense of humour largely absent from the game these days, which made him a Soccer AM favourite etc - although we saw a more unsavoury side to him later. But only Hull are to blame for giving him that contract!

  • Comment posted by User0875448700, at 18:07 1 Oct 2012

    Can't see why anyone is laying in to him. Hulls situation is not down to Bullard. Average player, overpaid, can you blame him?