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Bend It Like Bullard
Jimmy Bullard may not have had the perfect hair-do, 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 The Beautiful Game that few of his peers can match. One of the last graduates from football'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 says what's on his mind, and is 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 candour, Bend It Like Bullard is the extraordinary story of his journey from cable TV fitter to cult hero. It will make you smile, chuckle and, occasionally, ROFL.
209 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 22, 2014
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58 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
January 9, 2018
Really funny if you are a football fan-which I am!
March 3, 2015
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.
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.
November 12, 2016
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.
July 27, 2025
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.
January 27, 2019
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
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
December 8, 2016
Goof
Well worth a read very comical at times he seems an honest down to earth bloke who says it as it is
Well worth a read very comical at times he seems an honest down to earth bloke who says it as it is
July 1, 2017
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!!
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!!
December 10, 2018
What a book, very funny
February 15, 2019
Nutter!!!!!
Great read from a a proper character that football now lacks,good on ya Jim keep up the cocking about mate !
Great read from a a proper character that football now lacks,good on ya Jim keep up the cocking about mate !
April 7, 2019
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
Hilarious reading through this! He's a very funny guy and not a bad writer of this book is anything to go by
February 27, 2022
This was probably the funniest book I've ever read. Jimmy, you're a star, and a great footballer.
December 8, 2025
+ Decent, funny book
- Bit samey towards the end, and the whining about the Jungle wasn't a great ending
- Bit samey towards the end, and the whining about the Jungle wasn't a great ending
January 12, 2021
Reads just as you'd expect it to. Easy going, funny and enjoyable.
October 6, 2015
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.
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.
December 4, 2014
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.
A great book by a true legend.
March 18, 2015
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".
January 8, 2016
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
Top marks funny interesting look at the life of jimmy Bullard geezer is a wrongurn !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!_
Highly recommend and a must for all football fans
June 1, 2016
Picked up for some (very) light reading. Hilarious character on and off the pitch.
November 15, 2016
Great read
Bend it like Bullard is a truly entertaining funny book, couldn't put it down, top man Jim ,buy it now
Bend it like Bullard is a truly entertaining funny book, couldn't put it down, top man Jim ,buy it now
October 12, 2021
Hilarious. I was in stitches reading this book.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews