- Select Car Leasing's annual charity football match
- Features former pro Jimmy Bullard
- Bullard bags goal and sets up four others
- Proceeds go to the Reading FC Community Trust
(Credit Neil Graham)
Ex-footballer Jimmy Bullard proved you never lose your touch after scoring a ‘lovely’ goal and setting up four others in a charity soccer match.
The former Fulham, Wigan Athletic and Hull City player officially retired from the beautiful game in 2012.
But he pulled on a shirt once more to make a celebrity appearance in a match contested between staff at vehicle lease company Select Car Leasing.
Jimmy dribbles towards goal and takes a shot (credit Neil Graham)
The game, held at Reading FC’s Select Car Leasing stadium, was organised to raise funds for the club’s official charity, the Reading FC Community Trust.
Former Soccer AM presenter and Sky pundit Jimmy, now 46, played 75 minutes of the contest before withdrawing with a calf injury.
The 'keeper makes a save, the balls bounces out, and jimmy tucks the ball away (credit Neil Graham)
Describing his goal, which made the game 5-5 at the time, Jimmy told Select: “I picked it up 35 yards from goal, centre of the pitch. I’ve got it on my right and I’ve sent their best player for a Mars bar, cut in on my left, gone past him, and made out that I’m sliding it to the far stick.
“Their centre half has dropped like he’s in a war, and then I’ve run up to the ‘keeper, given him the eye, jumped over him and stuck it into an empty net. It was lovely, it was. The goal took the game to 5-5 and it gave the team a bit of lift to go on and win it.
“I was on fire until a bit of fatigue set in and I pulled my calf. Devastating. But it was so good - a great game.”
Jimmy says he rarely plays football these days as he focuses on golf instead. He’s now hoping the injury he’s picked up won’t stop him playing numerous golf tournaments this summer.
(Credit Neil Graham)
He adds: “I’ve never had an issue with my calves before - and I’ve got great looking calves!
To be honest, I don’t play a lot of football, not even five aside. I turned 40, my knees ain’t what they used to be, and with all those years of wear and tear training, it catches up with you. I thought, ‘I’d better knock this on the head’.
“When you then step onto a big 11-a-side pitch like the Select Car Leasing stadium, it feels massive.
“But I really enjoyed playing in the charity game - loved it. I was only supposed to play 20-25 minutes but I didn’t want to come off. If you love your football and you’re a football player at heart, it’s like a drug. I’d still be playing now if my body would allow me.”
(Credit Neil Graham)
Jimmy was ultimately on the winning side with the game finishing 7-5 in his favour.
The score was, however, irrelevant, with the real result being the money raised for the Reading FC Community Trust.
The Trust operates separately and independently from the club itself and works tirelessly to offer a safe environment to care for, develop and educate disadvantaged or at-risk young people within the Reading and surrounding areas.
Since 2024, the Reading FC Women’s First Team and its associated youth pathway has also fallen under the stewardship of the Trust.
(Credit Neil Graham)
The Trust’s Manager Dave Evans said: “Since becoming Principal Partners of Reading FC in 2021, Select Car Leasing has always had strong bonds with the Reading FC Community Trust and we’re delighted to have their continued support.
“Funds raised via the charity football match will be used to support the diverse range of activities the charity delivers to disadvantaged, at risk, vulnerable, SEND participants of all ages in the local and surrounding communities in Reading and Berkshire.
“It was also fantastic to see a former England international like Jimmy Bullard taking to the field at the Select Car Leasing stadium. Jimmy never played for Reading during his career, but I think we can all agree that the Royals kit suits him!”
Select Car leasing co-founder and CEO Mark Tongue (pictured below) thanked Jimmy - a long-time ambassador at Select - for being such a good sport.
(Credit Neil Graham)
He added: “We hold a charity football match each year, raising funds for a diverse range of charities, and we’re thrilled to be able to bolster our support of the Reading FC Community Trust with this year’s fixture.
“The Trust engages with more than 3,500 people from a wide demographic each and every week. It’s an operation that runs 24/7 and provides everything from alternative school provision and holiday camps to disability soccer sessions and a dementia cafe.
“Without the Trust, the local community here in Reading would be a much poorer place and we’ll continue to offer Dave and the team our full backing.”
(Credit Neil Graham)
Since 2021, Select has donated thousands of pounds to support the Trust in its provision of school holiday camps.
In March 2024, Select donated a free minibus to the Trust in support of its ‘Reading Alternative Provision’ (RAP) care, which supports children struggling with the school environment while offering alternative provision for young pupils.
And in December 2024, Select became Principal Partner of both the Women’s First Team as well as the pathway teams - which falls under the Trust’s umbrella.
(Credit Neil Graham)
* The Select Car Leasing Charity Football JustGiving page is still live and welcomes donations.
**Jimmy Bullard is about to launch his own channel on Patreon, where fans can get an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at his colourful life. Keep an eye out for an official announcement on Jimmy’s socials soon.
*** All pictures - credit Neil Graham @ngsportsphotography
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