Former Blue Jimmy Bullard has announced his retirement from professional football due to the knee injury which required surgery twice in two years earlier in his career. The 33-year-old’s Town contract was terminated by mutual consent in August and he subsequently joined the MK Dons, for whom he made only one start and two sub appearances.

Bullard told the League One side’s website that having seen a specialist last week, he had decided to hang up his boots: “My old knee injury has never allowed me to get back to where I want to be as a football player; 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.

“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. My head tells me I can do it, but my body tells me, 'no Jim you can’t'.”

Bullard won Town’s Player of the Year award in 2010/11 after a superb loan spell from Hull in which he scored five goals in 16 games. However, having signed a permanent two-year contract last summer after his Tigers deal was terminated, he failed to reach the same standards last season.

The ex-Peterborough, Wigan and Fulham man made just 12 starts — the last in the 4-0 defeat at Burnley in November - and nine sub appearances and scored one goal.

This summer the one-time England call-up was on the periphery during pre-season before he and the club settled the remaining year of his terms.

Photo: Action Images

sixtouchfootball added 12:50 - Oct 1 Shame really but not too unexpected. best of luck for the future chap.
0

gypo added 12:52 - Oct 1 Gazza needs a friend
0

IamSpartacus added 12:57 - Oct 1 Hmmm.... I wonder, if he had of stayed with us a little longer, whether we could have saved money on the pay-off through an insurance payout? We have lost an immense amount of money through running out contracts, paying contracts off and huge wages for un-mirrored performances that I fear this might just be another of our financial screw ups...
0

youidiots added 12:58 - Oct 1 love the guy but his whole "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" kind of sums him up for me. not one to play for the team, always himself.
0

norfolk_mighty_horse added 12:59 - Oct 1 Not surprised he after what we coughed up to get rid of this parasite that he can retire!
0

Warkys_Tash added 13:09 - Oct 1 I thought he had already retired last season, did I miss him doing something?
0

Karlosfandangal added 13:27 - Oct 1 Wonder how much money he saved us by helping save us from Div 1 Was a master loan by Jewell just a pity he let us down when he signed for us. Good luck Jimmy you had 16 great games for us
0

TractorJed added 13:28 - Oct 1 Gotta laugh, player confirms he has to quit due to injury and starts a free for all to take a pop at him. So he wasn't particulary good in the final season with us, hardly seems good reason to gloat on his retirement from football.
0

jaydee added 13:35 - Oct 1 A lot of people on here have very short memories ! He helped save us from playing div 1 football & was player of the year ! Good luck Jimmy & maybe see you fishing one day
0

alfromcol added 13:36 - Oct 1 Best wishes Jimmy, you gave me and my grandson a number of memorable moments during your loan spell. We only wish you could have continued like that. A talent cut down by injury.
0

Jon_456 added 13:41 - Oct 1 Oh jimmy bullaarddd..
0

Ravenblue52 added 13:44 - Oct 1 Good luck for the future Jimmy, its a shame it ended this way but what can you do. I think it was the smart thing to do tho, what use wo uld he of been if he carried on and couldnt play or worst case not even being able to walk
0

Edmunds5 added 13:46 - Oct 1 I've been critical of Bullard the last couple of years but there is no need for cheap shots.I think as an Ipswich fan its easy to just simpy think about how badly he has played and brand him 'lazy' when perhaps it is really just a struggle for him to complete a game, but as he said he tried to just put up with it until the point he couldnt. If anyone saw his injury at Newcastle people would understand. Scott Parker was gutted after the challenge and Bullard hobbled of is absoloute agony. Best of luck Jim.

0

roytheboy added 13:50 - Oct 1 Good luck for the future Jimmy.
0

Raedwaldblue added 14:10 - Oct 1 Thanks Jimmy, as usual a lot on here have short memories, it been some time since we had a player that excited the crowd at portman road like you did.
0

righty added 14:12 - Oct 1 The money he made out of Hull and ITFC anyone could retire another brilliant Jewell signing cost us millions
0

bluey123 added 14:14 - Oct 1 Good riddance greedy little Sh-t
0

TotalBlue added 14:33 - Oct 1 Bullard for manager!!!! lol seriously though good luck Jimmy and thanks for all you did while on loan you saved us from the drop!!! Shame it didnt work out last year but maybe the knee didnt help...
0

TotalBlue added 14:34 - Oct 1 or!! Bullard for CEO!!! ok will go and get my coat
0

Michael11 added 14:47 - Oct 1 Although i do see the fans view that he's a bit of a mercenary with not a lot of loyalty. he was towards the end of his career and who can blame him for taking the big pay off we gave him, we'd all do the same in our jobs.
0

GibbsITFC added 15:24 - Oct 1 Righty... It was moronic fans like you that probably wanted him to sign permanent and why wouldn't you? He saved us from league one whilst on loan! I wish him the best, just because a few laughable old sorts think he is lazy, im sure he wont be losing any sleep or regret anything in his career. A great man and a great footballer which injury wise was very unfortunate. All the best jim!

0

CanadianBlue added 15:31 - Oct 1 A shame that he couldn't keep the standard of play at the level that we had seen and expected but all the best to him - hope he sticks in the game as he does love it.
0

righty added 15:39 - Oct 1 Any one who slates the people who pay his wages is a complete idiot he has no respect for the fans hence he should shut up and get out of ITFC. By the way I have as much right to my opinion as you pal
0

tractorblue99 added 16:03 - Oct 1 A media career awaits.
0

Surco72 added 16:06 - Oct 1 Rightyt you do have a right to an opinion ,its just a shame all of yours are utter b*ll*cks And thats my right to an opinion
0

Blogs 297 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls