How QPR Missed Out on Bullard...Nygaard Comes on as Late Sub For Denmark

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Who knew?! [Article says that QPR tried to buy Jimmy Bullard from Gravesend (now Ebbsfleet), I guess that would be back in 1999 during the Gerry Francis/Iain Dowie era, but he chose West Ham. "When West Ham came in for him, Queens Park Rangers wanted him too. QPR in fact offered more for him - £50,000 - whereas West Ham bid £35,000, but he was a mad West Ham fan and there was only one place we were going to let him go to.”]


Kent News - Bullard in meteoric rise from £60 a week contract
A CALL up to the England squad capped a meteoric rise for former Kent footballer Jimmy Bullard who once plied his trade with Gravesend and Northfleet for £60 a week.
The Fulham midfielder was called up to Fabio Capello’s squad for yesterday’s World Cup qualifier with Andorra in Barcelona and is also widely tipped to play some part in Wednesday night’s crunch clash against Croatia in Zagreb.
Bullard’s career is a real rags to riches story after having been plucked from non-league and going on to feature in almost every step of the football pyramid up to the Premier League, and now England honours.
The 29-year-old started out with Corinthians before he moved to Kent side Dartford. It was while with the Darts that he was noticed by Gravesend and Northfleet manager Andy Ford, who is now boss at Blue Square South side Welling United.
Ford told Kent on Sunday: “I remember signing him when I was manager at Gravesend. We watched him a couple of times and felt there was something about him so we made a move while he was at Dartford. We got him on a contract for £60 a week and he was with us for about six months before we sold him to West Ham for £35,000.”
Bullard, who went to Erith School, made quite an impression at the Kent club in his short time with them during the 1998-1999 season.
Roly Edwards has been secretary of Gravesend, now known as Ebbsfleet, for the last 11 years, and remembers registering a young Bullard at the club.
He said: “He was clearly something special but was not with us for very long because scouts used to flock to our games to watch him.
“He was a real cheeky chap and I don’t think he has changed from what I have seen. He was very lively and bubbly in the dressing room.
“We felt he had something but you never know with these things, but clearly there was something different about him.

“When West Ham came in for him, Queens Park Rangers wanted him too. QPR in fact offered more for him - £50,000 - whereas West Ham bid £35,000, but he was a mad West Ham fan and there was only one place we were going to let him go to.”
Ford described fitting Bullard into a team as “difficult” because he was such a livewire that enjoyed doing his own thing on the pitch.
His confidence and self-belief gave him that extra edge, according to Ford, who believes Bullard has earned his chance with England.
He said: “He always wanted to take every corner and free-kick and wanted to be involved in everything.
“When I signed him I wouldn’t have thought he would go on to play for England but having seen his career progress there was a point when he was at Wigan that you thought he might get a call up.
“He was one of the best players I have managed but there are some good players in non-league, it is just up to clubs to give them a chance.”
After moving to his beloved West Ham, Bullard was eventually given a free transfer to Peterborough United in 2001 after failing to play a single game for the Hammers.
A prosperous two years at the Posh netted him a £275,000 transfer to Wigan where he helped them in to the Premiership. He spent three seasons with the Latics before Chris Coleman signed him for Fulham.
In September 2006, Bullard suffered a dislocated kneecap in a game against Newcastle which left him out of the game for 16 months.
He returned for Fulham last season where he almost single-handedly helped them avoid relegation.
The combative midfielder has now been rewarded for his consistent displays with an England call up that should see him play some part due to the injuries to Owen Hargreaves, Steven Gerrard and Michael Carrick.
Bullard said: “I’ve come up through the leagues. It has been slow but there have been a lot of great times and now wearing the England
tracksuit is great for me, fantastic.
“I was a painter and decorator with my dad at Gravesend. I did that for three years alongside playing non-league football. My dad looked after me. I owe a lot to him. He always said ‘always play to your best, never give in, you never know who is watching.’”
Lifelong Fleet fan Edwards said Bullard still keeps in contact with the Northfleet club. According to Edwards, he even contacted former kit man Alan Bond to inquire as to how he was after spending some time in hospital.
Edwards said: “I am not surprised that he has been called up for England and in fact I feel he is something we need in the England team. Other players have been accused of not having the right desire, but I know that is not something anyone will be able to accuse Jimmy of.” Kent News


Ex-QPR Mark Nygaard comes on as late, late sub (87th minute) for Denmark. Unfortunately for Denmark, they still draw 0-0 with Hungary. Report -- Teams