Popular former Premier League footballer Jimmy Bullard is set to visit Carlisle.

Bullard, who now works as a Soccer AM presenter after playing in English football’s top-flight for Wigan, Fulham and Hull during his colourful career, will be at the Shepherd’s Inn on February 9.

“I did the event with Jimmy in Whitehaven in October. Everyone loved it,” event organiser John Lebbon, of Platinum Wolf Promotions, said.

“He did the ‘Bullard’s on fire’ song on stage and, hopefully, he will do that again in Carlisle. 

“I organise events with all sorts of people and Jimmy is definitely good value for money.

“As soon as he is in the building, he likes mixing with people, so he is really good.”

The 40-year-old proved to be a major hit at a similar event at Whitehaven Golf Club last year, while he will also be heading to Hawcoat Park in Barrow on February 23.

“Jimmy liked the Cumbrian people when he did it in Whitehaven last year and Carlisle is a football city, really,” said former rugby league player Lebbon.

“Before he was a footballer, he was a painter and decorator, so I think he just enjoys getting the chance to interact with people.

"His job working for Soccer AM has helped to keep him in the spotlight, with him being on TV every Saturday morning, although he admits it’s not really a job to him because it’s one of the best jobs in the world.”

Bullard, who was called into the England squad in 2008 but never earned an international cap, was involved in a number of controversial moments in his playing days, having began playing for non-league Gravesend and Northfleet (with the club now called Ebbsfleet).

“He had a fight with [his then-Wigan manager] Paul Jewell before a Chelsea game when he wanted to play and Jewell wanted to rest him, and Jewell ended up slamming his head in the door,” Lebbon said.

“Jimmy has some great stories about Harry Redknapp, Barry Fry and Duncan Ferguson from his career, too. 

“Sometimes it’s easy to forget, but he was actually a good player.”

Tickets for the event, which will start at 7.30pm, are £28, while VIP tickets are £40 and include a photograph with Bullard.

Asked how tickets were selling, Lebbon, who thanked Ian Milburn, of IM Events, for his help in selling tickets, said: "They are not doing too badly. 

“January isn’t a great time to be selling tickets, to be honest.

“But I’m hoping we will sell out. They are quite cheap tickets, really.

“We did something similar with Jimmy down South and the venue wanted to sell tickets for £75, so these are quite reasonable.”

Nicknamed the Bulldog, Bullard made just shy of 150 league appearances for Wigan, spent three years at Fulham and two years at Hull, as well as playing for Peterborough, Ipswich and MK Dons before retiring in 2012 at the age of 33. 

Former Liverpool and Switzerland defender Stéphane Henchoz, ex-Chelsea and Leicester keeper Mark Schwarzer and Republic of Ireland favourite Kevin Kilbane are just three of Bullard’s former team-mates.

Bullard also has had a brief managerial career as he took charge of Surrey-based Leatherhead of the English seventh-tier from 2016-2017. 

Call 01750 725480 for tickets or for more details.