Bend It Like Bullard

by Jimmy Bullard

Jimmy Bullard may not have had the perfect hairdo, his Granada Ghia may not have been the flashiest of cars, and he definitely didn't have a string of Page 3 girls trying to sell kiss and tell stories about him to the tabloids. But what he has in spades is a genuine love for soccer that few of his peers can match. One of the last graduates from soccer's old school, Jimmy actually worked in the real world—including as a painter and decorator—before turning pro. Maybe that's why he played football with a smile on his face, always said what's on his mind, and was no stranger to a spot of mischief. Having played under the likes of Barry Fry, Harry Redknapp, and Phil Brown, appeared alongside names as diverse as Neil Ruddock and Paolo di Canio, and as long as Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink, Jimmy has racked up an amazing collection of tales and pranks both on and off the football front line. Told with candor, Bend It Like Bullard is the extraordinary story of his journey from cable TV fitter to cult hero.

Genres: Football, Autobiography, Nonfiction, Biography

304 pages, Hardcover

First published May 22, 2014

Reviews

[Dale Rutter]

Really funny if you are a football fan-which I am!

[Ashley]

So my first review here is a football (or soccer if you wish to be a philistine about it..) player's biography.. Please, don't hold that against me.

It's fair to say that Jimmy Bullard is one of, if not the most, colourful characters to grace football in it's Premier League era. From his hilarious hijinks to his famous meeting with Big Duncan Ferguson he was adored by many a football fan and you'd have to travel far to dos someone who disliked the man. And so he embarks on reliving various chapters of his life in this book.
I must admit, this is a real treat to read. It's a hugely entertaining read that I might even be brave enough to recommend to readers who perhaps have not yet, or ever will, truly love the game. It's refreshing to read about someone who truly understands how lucky they are, and whilst he does at times overstate this it is nice to hear. The chronology of the book is a mess and this brings the book down for me. At times Bullard jumps back through the years and maybe some more control should have been taken by the editor as it really can be a bit messy. My only other gripe is that the last chapter seems a little self-indulgent (I suppose it is an autobiography after all), by this stage of the book it really doesn't matter, this is only the last 20 pages or so anyway. An enjoyable read that produced some pure belly chuckles. This is definitely worth a read.

[Jason Cotton]

A great book with lots of humour. It gives a real insight into a very larger than life footballer. What i liked is that this book is not about glitz and glamour and living the high life, this book is as down to earth as they come. Jimmy tells us how he struggled from grass roots to premiership football via several lower league trips. Its a great read and highly recommended.

[Ben]

Jimmy Bullard's book was brilliant. It was a very funny and interesting read. Jimmy included many anecdotes and stories from his playing career. It's refreshing to read a football autobiography where the author realises how lucky he was to get his big chance and as a result this book is quite down to earth. He has a great character that shines through and the quick and easy read that this is makes it a book that I would recommend for a football fan.

[Matthew Andrus]

Funny, honest and enteraining

I enjoyed this account of JB's footballing cearer, he is honest and funny how he describes his playing days on and off the pitch.

Its one of those reads that learn alot that ypu didn't know about a player and thr clubs he has had

[steven smith]

Goof

Well worth a read very comical at times he seems an honest down to earth bloke who says it as it is

[Charlotte Green]

Fantastic read

Read this on holiday in two days. Literally couldn't put it down. A brilliant story of how hard work and perseverance really does pay off! Highly recommended!!

[Leigh Williams]

What a book, very funny

[gary norris]

Nutter!!!!!

Great read from a a proper character that football now lacks,good on ya Jim keep up the cocking about mate !

[nick webber]

Great read. Genuinely laughed out loud at some parts

Hilarious reading through this! He's a very funny guy and not a bad writer of this book is anything to go by

[Jackie Northall]

This was probably the funniest book I've ever read. Jimmy, you're a star, and a great footballer.

[Phil McGregor]

+ Decent, funny book

- Bit samey towards the end, and the whining about the Jungle wasn't a great ending

[Dan]

Reads just as you'd expect it to. Easy going, funny and enjoyable.

[Chris]

I've actually had this book for ages as I've seen Jimmy on the telly and on the football pitch quite a few times and loved his antics and zest for life. Then I saw him on 'I'm A Celebrity. Get Me Out Of Here' and totally changed my mind about him. After seeing the nastiness he showed when 'winding up' Jake I thought him as a bully and quite arrogant and so decided to leave the book on my shelf (No, not gathering dust. I'm very clean I'll have you know!) and even thought of selling it before reading it.

Anyway, I noticed by September that my Book Challenge of 24 books by the end of the year wasn't even halfway and since Jimmy's book is only 279 pages (for the hardback edition) and the fact that the text is quite large, I decided to read it.

I'm still a bit put off by him but the book was, admittedly, very good. As most autos it describes Jimmy's upbringing, but also delves into his love for both fishing, golf and, of course, football. A book about Jimmy Bullard wouldn't be true to the cause if it didn't mention his antics, both on and off the field, and I did find myself on more than one occasion, laughing out loud at his pranks.

Overall I would recommend this book. There's definitely a laugh or two in it.

[Kitty]

I expected this was just going to be a standard football memoir, albeit one by the funniest man in football. What I didn't expect was more subtle lessons in gratitude and happiness, and how important it is to love what you do and go into it with the right attitude, no matter what it is you do. Even the harder periods of Jimmy's life are subject to his happy-go-lucky and grateful attitude, which makes you feel for him, but never pity him.

A great book by a true legend.

[Chris Harrison]

Have seen Jimmy on tv a few times (soccer am) and various sports programmes, liked what I saw so thought his book would be worth a read. The book itself gets a bit tiresome though after a while as it comes across as "I'm Jimmy Bullard and I am so wacky".

[Chris doody]

Excellent read highy recommend

Top marks funny interesting look at the life of jimmy Bullard geezer is a wrongurn !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!_
Highly recommend and a must for all football fans

[Matthew Jacob]

Picked up for some (very) light reading. Hilarious character on and off the pitch.

[martin grocott]

Great read

Bend it like Bullard is a truly entertaining funny book, couldn't put it down, top man Jim ,buy it now

[Stephen Hoffman]

Hilarious. I was in stitches reading this book.