Fulham legend Jimmy Bullard admits he was devoted to life as a shirt-collecting footballer.
Bullard told Carling as part of their ‘Shirt Amnesty’ promotion that he has been lucky enough to collect shirts from Zinedine Zidane and Cristiano Ronaldo.
But taking home mementos of such prestige has proved to be an art form for the former Wigan and Hull man, who spent three seasons at Craven Cottage between 2006-09.
“After the game, it’s now a done thing to go up to a player and say ‘can I have your shirt afterwards?’ said the footballer-turned-reality-TV-star.
“But even then you’re not guaranteed the shirt and for me it’s all about guaranteeing that shirt - especially someone of Ronaldo’s calibre.
“I took it on myself really to go into Manchester United’s dressing room and ask for Ronaldo’s shirt before the game,” Bullard recalled.
“I knew that all the (Wigan) boys would be after his shirt - he was the world’s best player and Premier League’s best player at the time.
“For me, I had to get in there as early as possible for that one.”
Bullard also revealed a shirt exchange with former team-mate Frank Lampard that took a somewhat awkward turn.
“I once swapped a shirt with Frank Lampard, I played with Frank at West Ham," the former White added.
“I remember going up to him at Stamford Bridge when I was playing for Wigan and said, ‘Frank, can I have your shirt?’ and as he was taking his shirt off, I thought it’d be nice to say ‘do you want mine?’
“He just came back with, “No, you’re alright, Jim.”
The Premier League icon also revealed that his collection of signed and framed shirts at home extended beyond 100.
And he is missing one man’s shirt.
“There’s only one player in the world I’m missing, for me it’s Lionel Messi.”
Carling's 'Shirt Amnesty' promotion gives fans the opportunity to exchange a football shirt with the name of a recently sold player on the back for a new one.
For more information visit Carling's official twitter at @Carling
