Hull City Football Club News

• Nickname:The Tigers
• Founded:1904
• Manager:Nick Barmby

• Ground:Kingston Communications Stadium
• Capacity:25,404

Duffen stands by Bullard deal

20 Feb 2009 - 11:25:43

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Hull City chairman Paul Duffen has defended his club's decision to pay £5million for Jimmy Bullard, whose season has been ended by renewed knee problems.

The 30-year-old midfielder joined the Tigers from Fulham last month, but lasted just 37minutes of his debut against West Ham United before being stricken by a knee injury.

However, a defiant Duffen told BBC Sport: "I still think Jimmy is a tremendous value-for-money buy at £5million.

"We signed him for four-and-a-half years. It is unfortunate he's injured - players get injured, it's called football. It's not unusual.

"It is very disappointing because of all the hope and expectation for Jimmy arriving at this football club.

"He still has arrived, it just means we won't be seeing him on the field until the beginning of next season. It is disappointing but we have to get on with life and move forward.

"There is no question of this being anything other than a pause in Jimmy's career and I am sure he will come back and regain his former heights once he is fit."