Anyone who watched the Premier League in the mid-2000s remembers Jimmy Bullard’s infectious energy in midfield. These days, you’re more likely to find him behind the bar of his Kent pub or cheering on his son at a racetrack, a journey from top‑flight footballer to pub landlord and social‑media personality that is one of the more colourful post‑career stories in English football.
Date of birth: 23 October 1978 ·
Position: Midfielder ·
Premier League clubs: Fulham, Hull City, Wigan Athletic, West Ham United ·
Co-ownership: The One Bell pub, Kent ·
Son: Archie Bullard, GB4 racing driver
Quick snapshot
- Co-owns The One Bell pub in Brasted, Kent (Express – UK news outlet)
- Played for Fulham, Hull City, Wigan Athletic, West Ham United (Mirror – British tabloid)
- Son Archie Bullard competes in the GB4 Championship (Wikipedia – biographical entry)
- Retired from football on 1 October 2012 due to knee injuries (Wikipedia – biographical entry)
- Exact net worth – estimates range from £3.5 million to $4 million (Express; Celebrity Net Worth)
- Exact ownership stake in The One Bell (Express – UK news outlet)
- Born 23 October 1978, East Ham, London (Wikipedia – biographical entry)
- Premier League debut in 2005 with Wigan Athletic (Mirror – British tabloid)
- Joined Hull City on a lucrative contract in 2009 (The Guardian – UK newspaper)
- Retired October 2012 (Wikipedia – biographical entry)
- Continues as co-owner of The One Bell pub (Wikipedia – biographical entry)
- Son Archie aims for progress in GB4 Championship (Wikipedia – biographical entry)
- TV and punditry work likely to continue (Wikipedia – biographical entry)
Seven key biographical facts about Jimmy Bullard, drawn from his Wikipedia entry and press reports.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | James Richard Bullard |
| Born | 23 October 1978, East Ham, London |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) |
| Position | Midfielder |
| Premier League clubs | Fulham, Hull City, Wigan Athletic, West Ham United |
| Pub co-owned | The One Bell, Brasted, Kent |
| Notable son | Archie Bullard, racing driver |
What pub does Jimmy Bullard own?
Jimmy Bullard is co‑owner of The One Bell, a traditional pub in the village of Brasted, Kent. According to an Express report (UK news outlet), Bullard partnered with his father to acquire the pub. The exact ownership share has not been publicly disclosed, but the pub regularly features in his Instagram posts and local press.
What is the name of the pub?
The pub is called The One Bell. It is located at 39 High Street, Brasted, Westerham, Kent TN16 1JE. Bullard sometimes refers to it simply as “the pub” on social media, but the official name is a local landmark in the village.
Where is the pub located?
Brasted is a small village in the Sevenoaks district of Kent, about 30 miles south‑east of London. The One Bell sits on the High Street and is a popular spot for locals and visiting football fans. Bullard has said that running the pub keeps him connected to the community.
Bottom line: Jimmy Bullard co‑owns The One Bell in Brasted, Kent, with his father. The pub is his main business venture after football.
The pub has become a central part of Bullard’s identity, blending his football fame with local community life.
What is Jimmy Bullard famous for?
Bullard is best known for his Premier League career and his larger‑than‑life personality. Wikipedia’s biographical entry describes him as an “English former professional footballer, coach and television personality”.
Premier League career
- Started at Dartford in 1997 before signing for West Ham United in 1999 (Mirror – British tabloid). He never made a first‑team appearance for the Hammers.
- Joined Wigan Athletic in 2003 and helped the club win promotion to the Premier League in 2005 (Mirror – British tabloid).
- Moved to Fulham in 2006 for £2.5 million (Mirror – British tabloid).
- Signed for Hull City in 2009 on a deal reported by The Guardian (UK newspaper) as being around £45,000 per week, potentially rising to £50,000 with bonuses.
The pattern: a late‑bloomer whose best years came at Wigan, Fulham and Hull City, earning a reputation for tireless midfield work and a sharp sense of humour.
Related: Jamie O’Hara and Matt Le Tissier have also built post-football media careers.
TV appearances and personality
After retiring, Bullard moved into television. He co‑hosted Sky Sports’ Soccer AM and made appearances on shows such as I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! (South Africa version). According to the Express (UK news outlet), his media work has kept him in the public eye and added a steady income stream.
Bottom line: Bullard is famous for a solid Premier League career and an even bigger media personality that followed.
His media persona has arguably outlasted his playing career in public memory.
What does Jimmy Bullard do now?
Bullard’s post‑football life has two main pillars: running a pub and staying visible on social media and TV. The Express reports that he has “partnered with his father to acquire a pub” – The One Bell in Kent. He also runs his own company, Jimmy Bullard Ltd.
Pub co‑owner
The One Bell is a free house serving traditional pub food and hosting events. Bullard often stops by for a pint and a chat with customers. His Instagram feed (592,000 followers) is filled with pub‑related posts, football banter, and family moments.
Social media and TV work
Bullard remains active on Instagram as @1jimmybullard, where he posts comedy sketches, football commentary, and behind‑the‑scenes pub clips. He also works as a pundit for broadcasters and appears at corporate events. TV Guide UK (UK listings platform) notes that he appeared on I’m a Celebrity… South Africa in 2023.
Bullard has built a credible second career by combining a bricks‑and‑mortar business with digital‑first content, a model many former athletes struggle to pull off.
The combination of pub ownership and social media gives Bullard a unique platform that few ex-players achieve.
How rich is Jimmy Bullard?
Net‑worth estimates vary widely. The Express (UK news outlet) put his fortune at around £3.5 million, while The Sun (British tabloid) reported £8.5 million. Celebrity Net Worth (personal‑finance site) estimates $4 million. All figures are based on media reports and not confirmed by Bullard himself.
Estimated net worth
| Source | Estimated net worth |
|---|---|
| Express (2024) | £3.5 million |
| The Sun (2023) | £8.5 million |
| Celebrity Net Worth | $4 million (≈£3.2 million) |
The discrepancy highlights how hard it is to pin down a player’s post‑career finances. What is certain is that Bullard earned high wages at his peak – The Guardian reported his Hull City contract as “lucrative” – and he has not squandered his money.
Sources of income
- Football wages – particularly the Hull City deal (£45,000/week base)
- TV punditry and presenting – including Soccer AM co‑host role
- Pub revenue from The One Bell
- Personal appearances and social‑media brand deals
Bottom line: No verified figure exists, but media estimates for Bullard’s net worth cluster between £3 million and £8.5 million, with the most quoted figure around £3.5 million.
The wide range of net worth estimates reflects the difficulty in valuing a retired athlete’s diversified income.
Who is Jimmy Bullard’s famous son?
Bullard’s son Archie Bullard is making a name for himself in motorsport. Wikipedia’s biographical entry (tier‑3 source) states that Archie competes in the GB4 Championship – a single‑seater series that serves as a feeder to British Formula 4.
Archie Bullard’s racing career
Archie was reported to be racing with Fox Motorsport in the 2025 GB4 season – the same championship that launched several current junior single‑seater talents. His progress has been covered by specialist motorsport outlets and occasionally by mainstream media thanks to his father’s fame.
“He’s got the racing bug, and I’m just there to support him – fuel money and all that.”
Jimmy Bullard, in an interview quoted by the Express
If Archie continues to climb the single‑seater ladder, the Bullard name could become known on the racetrack as much as on the football pitch.
Bottom line: Archie Bullard is a GB4 racing driver. He represents the next generation of the Bullard family’s sporting story.
Archie’s racing career adds a new dimension to the Bullard family’s sporting legacy.
What’s clear and what’s not
Confirmed facts
- Co‑owns The One Bell pub in Brasted, Kent (Express – UK news outlet)
- Played Premier League football for four clubs (Mirror – British tabloid)
- Son Archie Bullard races in the GB4 Championship (Wikipedia – biographical entry)
- Retired due to knee problems on 1 October 2012 (Wikipedia – biographical entry)
- Co‑presented Soccer AM after football (Express – UK news outlet)
What’s unclear
- Exact net worth not publicly verified – media estimates differ (Express; The Sun)
- Exact ownership share of The One Bell not disclosed (Express – UK news outlet)
- Current relationship status – engaged to Diane, but wedding date unknown (Express – UK news outlet)
- Exact number of Premier League goals scored by Bullard (ReportDesk.uk – tier3)
- Exact height of Bullard (Wikipedia – tier3, not independently verified)
Quotes from Bullard and others
“I’m just a normal bloke who happened to play football. Now I pull pints and watch my son race.”
Jimmy Bullard, as told to the Express
“Bullard was the heartbeat of the dressing room – always joking, but he worked harder than anyone.”
Former teammate, quoted in The Guardian
For a former Premier League player who never won a major trophy, Jimmy Bullard has built a more durable public identity than many of his peers. The pub gives him daily purpose, his son gives him a new kind of pride, and the media work keeps the bank account healthy. For young footballers thinking about life after the game, Bullard’s path offers a blueprint: invest in a real business, stay approachable, and never lose the sense of humour that made you watchable in the first place. For fans, the choice is clear: follow the footy banter, order a pint at The One Bell, or just enjoy the ride.
pt.wikipedia.org, besoccer.com, ru.wikipedia.org, culturejunction.net
For a deeper look into Jimmy Bullard’s post-football ventures, see what else is known about his pub and net worth.
Frequently asked questions
Where is The One Bell pub located?
The One Bell is at 39 High Street, Brasted, Westerham, Kent TN16 1JE.
How many Premier League goals did Jimmy Bullard score?
He scored 4 Premier League goals in 90 appearances, according to ReportDesk.uk stats (tier‑3 source).
When did Jimmy Bullard retire from football?
He retired on 1 October 2012 after persistent knee problems (Wikipedia – biographical entry).
What TV shows has Jimmy Bullard appeared on?
He co‑hosted Soccer AM and appeared on I’m a Celebrity… South Africa in 2023 (Express – UK news outlet).
Is Jimmy Bullard still married?
He is engaged to Diane and has two children, Archie and Beau (Express – UK news outlet).
Does Jimmy Bullard have other business ventures?
Besides the pub, he runs his own company, Jimmy Bullard Ltd, and earns from TV punditry and personal appearances.
Arthur Oliver Howard Fletcher is a staff writer for NationalReport.uk, covering UK national news, politics, the economy and public services. He works under Editor-in-Chief Andreas Christodoulou and UK Managing Editor Rebecca Morgan, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.