Dannie Bulman Explained

Dannie Bulman
Fullname:Dannie Mark Bulman[1]
Birth Date:24 January 1979[2]
Birth Place:Ashford, England
Position:Midfielder
Youthyears1:–1997
Youthclubs1:Ashford Town
Years1:1994–1998
Clubs1:Ashford Town
Years2:1998–2004
Clubs2:Wycombe Wanderers
Caps2:202
Goals2:14
Years3:2004–2006
Clubs3:Stevenage Borough
Caps3:80
Goals3:3
Years4:2006
Clubs4:Crawley Town (loan)
Caps4:37
Goals4:4
Years5:2007–2009
Clubs5:Crawley Town
Caps5:89
Goals5:5
Years6:2009–2011
Clubs6:Oxford United
Caps6:47
Goals6:0
Years7:2010–2011
Clubs7:Crawley Town (loan)
Caps7:9
Goals7:1
Years8:2011–2014
Clubs8:Crawley Town
Caps8:138
Goals8:4
Years9:2014–2017
Clubs9:AFC Wimbledon
Caps9:121
Goals9:4
Years10:2017–2022
Clubs10:Crawley Town
Caps10:108
Goals10:3
Totalcaps:831
Totalgoals:38

Dannie Mark Bulman (born 24 January 1979) is an English former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. He played in the English Football League with Wycombe Wanderers, Oxford United, Crawley Town and AFC Wimbledon. Prior to retiring, Bulman was the oldest active player in the English Football League; he is the current host of a daytime show entitled Talk Of The Town.

Bulman started his senior career at Ashford Town, before joining Second Division side Wycombe Wanderers in 1998, where he would remain for six years before being released in 2004. Following his release by Wycombe Wanderers, Bulman joined Stevenage Borough, where he would remain for two full seasons before joining Crawley Town on loan in September 2006 and later on a permanent deal in January 2007.

After two-and-a-half seasons at Crawley, he joined Oxford United in the summer of 2009, and was promoted to League Two in his first season at the club following victory in the Conference Premier play-off final against York City. Bulman returned to Crawley on loan in September 2010, before signing on a permanent basis in January 2011, as Crawley would get promoted to the Football League for the first time in their history that season. He joined AFC Wimbledon in 2014, helping the club win promotion to League One via the play-offs in 2016, before returning to Crawley Town in 2017.

Career

Early career

Bulman was born in Ashford in Surrey. He made his senior debut for Ashford Town at the age of 15 before spending a further four years at the club.

Wycombe Wanderers

Having had a trial period with the club in February 1998,[3] Bulman joined Wycombe Wanderers in the summer of 1998 for a fee of £10,000.[4] Bulman made his debut as a late substitute in a 1–1 draw at home to Bristol Rovers on 31 August 1998, and within 15 seconds of coming on the pitch, he scored as Lee Jones' clearance had deflected off his buttocks and into the net.[5] [6] Bulman went on to make a further 10 appearances for the club across the 1998–99 season. Bulman spent six years at the club and played in an FA Cup semi-final against Liverpool in 2001.

Stevenage Borough and Crawley Town

He transferred to non-league Stevenage Borough in 2004 after his contract at Wycombe Wanderers expired.[7] Bulman's competitive debut for Stevenage came on 14 August 2004, playing the entirety of a 3–1 defeat away to Dagenham & Redbridge on 14 August 2004.[8]

He joined Crawley on a three-month loan in September 2006, with a recall clause after 30 days.[9] His debut for the club came as a substitute on 2 September 2006 in a 2–0 defeat at home to Northwich Victoria.[10] After making 15 league appearances on loan at Crawley, scoring thrice, he left Stevenage after his contract was cancelled by mutual consent in early December 2007.[11] Bulman joined Crawley Town on a permanent basis in January 2007.[12]

Oxford United and return to Crawley Town

He signed for Oxford United in May 2009 on a two-year contract.[13] He made his competitive debut for the club on 8 August 2009 in a 2–1 home victory against York City on 8 August 2009.[14] Bulman made 42 appearances across the regular season with Oxford United, winning the Players' Player of the Year award,[15] as they finished third and qualified for the Conference play-offs. Bulman appearedin both legs of the play-off semi-final as they defeated Rushden & Diamonds 3–1 on aggregate,[16] [17] prior to Bulman starting in Oxford's 3–1 victory over York City in the final, resulting in promotion to League Two.[18] [19]

After eight appearances for Oxford in all competitions during the 2010–11 season, he returned to Crawley Town on a three-month-long loan in September 2010.[20] In response to his return to the club, manager Steve Evans said that he was 'delighted he wanted to come back here'. In January 2011, he agreed to sign permanently for Crawley on a free transfer, with the contract lasting until summer 2012.[21] [22] Bulman's first appearance of this spell with Crawley came on 1 January 2011 in a 3–1 victory at home to Eastbourne Borough. He won promotion to the Football League with Crawley after they won the Conference in the 2010–11 season,[23] whilst they also reached the fifth round of the FA Cup, before being knocked out by Manchester United.[24] He made 37 appearances in all competitions for Crawlry across both spells at the club during the 2010–11 season.

The 2011–12 season saw Crawley promoted again, this time to League One as they finished 3rd in League Two.[25] Bulman appeared in 48 matches across all competitions and scored three goals.

AFC Wimbledon

In June 2014, Bulman signed for AFC Wimbledon on a free transfer.[26] He made his debut for the club in their first match of the season, starting in a 2–2 draw at home to Shrewsbury Town on 9 August 2014.[27]

He played for Wimbledon in the 2016 Football League Two play-off final as they won 2–0 and were promoted to League One for the first time in their history.[28] He agreed a new deal with the club in May 2016.[29]

Despite winning the club's Players' Player of the Year award,[30] he was released by Wimbledon at the end of the 2016–17 season.[31]

Bulman was selected as part of AFC Wimbledon's team of the decade for the 2010s.[32]

Second return to Crawley Town

He returned to Crawley in 2017,[33] and was offered a new contract at the end of the 2017–18 season.[34] In June 2019, at the age of 40, Bulman was offered another one-year contract by Crawley;[35] at that point he was the oldest active player in the English Football League, ahead of Kevin Ellison, Aaron Wilbraham and James Coppinger.[36] At the end of the 2019–20 season, he was offered a new contract by the club,[37] which he agreed to, signing a one-year contract extension as part of a player-coach arrangement.[38] [39] On 2 April 2022, Bulman announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 43.[40]

Style of play

Bulman generally plays as a central midfielder, but can also play as a defensive midfielder.[41] Bulman was also known for his determination as a player. In January 2019, then manager of Crawley Town Gabriele Cioffi praised Bulman's fitness despite his age, stating that 'his performances are always competitive' and that 'he's an all-in player'.[42]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Wycombe Wanderers1998–99Second Division111202000151
1999–2000Second Division29120001[43] 0321
2000–01Second Division364904030524
2001–02Second Division465411020536
2002–03Second Division423102031484
2003–04Second Division380201020430
Total2021420110011124316
Stevenage Borough2004–05Conference National4022030450
2005–06Conference National3914010441
2006–07Conference National10000010
Total8036040901
Crawley Town (loan)2006–07Conference National1530000153
Crawley Town2006–07Conference National2210000221
2007–08Conference Premier442001[44] 0452
2008–09Conference Premier4530000453
Total111600101126
Oxford United2009–10Conference Premier420303[45] 0480
2010–11League Two5000201080
Total470302040560
Crawley Town (loan)2010–11Conference Premier913000121
Crawley Town2010–11Conference Premier2203000250
2011–12League Two413501010483
2012–13League One361203020431
2013–14League One390201010430
Total138412050401594
AFC Wimbledon2014–15League Two411401030491
2015–16League Two42310103[46] 0473
2016–17League One38040002[47] 0440
Total12149020801404
Crawley Town2017–18League Two370100020400
2018–19League Two363001030403
2019–20League Two290203130341
2020–21League Two6020100090
2021–22League Two00
Total10835051501234
Career total8313858124137195041

Honours

Oxford United

Crawley Town

2010–11[49]

AFC Wimbledon

2016[50]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Notification of shirt numbers: Crawley Town . English Football League . 24 . 20 September 2020.
  2. Book: Barry J. . Hugman . The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2003/2004 . 2003 . Queen Anne Press . 1-85291-651-6 . 67 .
  3. News: 7 February 1998 . Gregory considering a play-as-you-play scheme . en . . 23 July 2020.
  4. News: 18 July 1998 . Smillie hit by injury crisis . en . . 23 July 2020.
  5. News: 5 September 1998 . Cheeky Dannie hits the bullseye . en . . 23 July 2020.
  6. Web site: Wycombe Wanderers v Bristol Rovers, 31 August 1998 . 23 July 2020 . 11v11.
  7. News: 1 July 2004 . Three new players to sign for Wanderers today . en . . 23 July 2020.
  8. Web site: Dannie Bulman . 2 August 2020 . boroguide.co.uk . en-GB.
  9. Web site: 1 September 2006 . Stevenage bring in midfielder Lee . 23 July 2020 . . en-GB.
  10. News: Hollis . Steve . 4 September 2006 . Money still tight at Crawley . en . . 23 July 2020.
  11. Web site: 7 December 2006 . Bulman seals exit from Stevenage . 23 July 2020 . . en-GB.
  12. News: Gurney . Tom . 2 July 2007 . Football: New faces to help Reds climb table . en . . 23 July 2020.
  13. News: Talbot . Bruce . 18 May 2009 . Skipper leaves Reds . en . . 23 July 2020.
  14. News: Murray . Jon . 8 August 2009 . Oxford Utd 2, York City 1 (08/08) . en . . 23 July 2020.
  15. News: Murray . Jon . 17 April 2010 . Midson back in for Oxford United . en . . 1 August 2020.
  16. Web site: 29 April 2010 . Rushden & Diamonds 1–1 Oxford Utd . 1 August 2020 . . en-GB.
  17. Web site: 3 May 2010 . Oxford 2–0 Rushden (agg 3–1) . 1 August 2020 . . en-GB.
  18. Web site: 16 May 2010 . Oxford United 3–1 York City . 1 August 2020 . . en-GB.
  19. News: Murray . Jon . 16 May 2010 . Oxford Utd 3 (M Green 15, Constable 21, Potter 90), York City 1 (Clarke og 42) . en . . 1 August 2020.
  20. Web site: 27 September 2010 . Oxford's Bulman rejoins Crawley . 23 July 2020 . . en-GB.
  21. News: 21 December 2010 . Bulman secures permanent move . en-GB . The Telegraph . 1 August 2020 . 0307-1235.
  22. Web site: 2010-12-20 . Bulman to stay with Crawley Town . 2020-11-13 . BBC Sport . en-GB.
  23. News: Talbot . Bruce . 12 April 2011 . Reds held on night of celebration . en . . 23 July 2020.
  24. Web site: 19 February 2011 . Man Utd 1–0 Crawley . 23 July 2020 . . en-GB.
  25. Web site: 5 May 2012 . Accrington 0–1 Crawley Town . 23 July 2020 . . en-gb.
  26. Web site: 10 June 2014 . Dannie Bulman: AFC Wimbledon sign Crawley midfielder . 23 July 2020 . . en-gb.
  27. Web site: 9 August 2014 . AFC Wimbledon 2–2 Shrewsbury: Debut boys earn a draw . 23 July 2020 . www.afcwimbledon.co.uk . AFC Wimbledon . en-gb.
  28. Web site: Pilnick . Brent . 30 May 2016 . AFC Wimbledon 2–0 Plymouth Argyle . 8 November 2020 . BBC Sport . en-GB.
  29. Web site: 31 May 2016 . Charles among Dons quartet to stay . 8 November 2020 . BBC Sport . en-GB.
  30. Web site: 2 May 2017 . Tom scoops treble honour . 8 November 2020 . www.afcwimbledon.co.uk . AFC Wimbledon . en-gb.
  31. Web site: 2 May 2017 . Squad update from Neal . 8 November 2020 . www.afcwimbledon.co.uk . AFC Wimbledon . en-gb.
  32. Web site: 10 April 2020 . A classic double act: Reeves & Bulman! . 2 August 2020 . afcwimbledon.co.uk . AFC Wimbledon . en-gb.
  33. Web site: 19 May 2017 . Dannie Bulman: Crawley Town re-sign ex-AFC Wimbledon midfielder . 23 July 2020 . . en-gb.
  34. Web site: Crawley Town offer trio new deals but allow Jordan Roberts to leave. 14 May 2018. 15 May 2018. BBC Sport.
  35. Web site: Dannie Bulman: Crawley Town midfielder, 40, signs new one-year deal. 7 June 2019. BBC Sport.
  36. Web site: 31 July 2019 . Dannie Bulman: The EFL's oldest player still going strong with Crawley Town at 40 . 23 July 2020 . BBC Sport.
  37. Web site: 22 June 2020 . Dannie Bulman: EFL's oldest player offered new deal at Crawley . 23 July 2020 . . en-gb.
  38. News: 1 August 2020 . Dannie Bulman: Football League's oldest player signs new deal at Crawley Town . en-gb . BBC Sport . 1 August 2020.
  39. News: Bone . Steve . 1 August 2020 . Football League's oldest player signs new Crawley deal - and joins management team . en . Crawley & Horley Observer . 1 August 2020.
  40. Web site: Club legend Dannie Bulman officially announces retirement . Crawley Town FC . 2 April 2022 . 12 April 2022.
  41. Web site: 23 February 2019 . Report: Young to the rescue as Reds draw 1–1 against Macclesfield . 2 August 2020 . crawleytownfc.com . Crawley Town F.C. . en-gb.
  42. News: Carter . Graham . 25 January 2019 . Crawley Town boss Gabriele Cioffi praises evergreen 40-year-old Dannie Bulman . en . Crawley & Horley Observer . 2 August 2020.
  43. Appearances in the Football League Trophy
  44. Appearance in the Conference League Cup
  45. Appearance in the Conference Premier play-offs
  46. Appearances in the League Two play-offs
  47. Appearances in the EFL Trophy
  48. News: Oxford United 3–1 York City . Steve . Marshall . BBC Sport . 16 May 2010 . 24 December 2018.
  49. Book: Glenda . Rollin . Jack . Rollin . Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2011–2012 . 2011 . Headline Publishing Group . London . 978-0-7553-6231-8 . 636, 648–649.
  50. News: AFC Wimbledon 2–0 Plymouth Argyle . Brent . Pilnick . BBC Sport . 30 May 2016 . 24 December 2018.