Martin Bullock

Martin John Bullock (born 5 March 1975) is an English former professional footballer and manager who is the head coach of the New Zealand U17 team and a Football Development Officer at the Northern Football Federation. He previously played for five league teams over 15 years, making 452 league appearances. He also won a cap for the England under-21 side in 1996.

Bullock played as a midfielder and began his career at non-League Eastwood Town before earning a move to Barnsley in 1993. In an eight-year association with the club he played almost 200 league games for the club, helping them to the Premier League at the end of the 1996–97 season. Loaned out to Port Vale in 2000, the following year he transferred to Blackpool. He enjoyed a highly successful four years with the club, lifting the Football League Trophy in 2002 and 2004. He then played for Macclesfield Town between 2005 and 2007 before ending his professional career with Wycombe Wanderers in 2008. He later turned out for leading New Zealand side Waitakere United, helping them to three Premiership titles before his retirement in June 2012.

Club career Bullock began his career with Northern Premier League First Division side Eastwood Town. He turned professional after a £15,000 move to Barnsley in 1993. He remained at Oakwell for eight years, making 218 appearances in all competitions for the "Tykes". He played 28 league games, mostly as a substitute, in the club's historic 1996–97 campaign, which saw them finish second in the First Division. In the subsequent 1997–98 Premier League season he played 33 top-flight games. Barnsley were relegated, though Bullock remained a key part of their 1998–99 campaign. He found himself out of favour in 1999–2000, however, making just six starts, five of which were in the League Cup. He was utilised more frequently in 2000–01, after spending February 2000 on loan at Second Division Port Vale, for whom he scored once against Queens Park Rangers.

In September 2001, he joined Steve McMahon's Second Division newcomers Blackpool on a free transfer. He became a key player for the club, making 43 league appearances in his maiden season there. His contribution was particularly telling in the semi-final of the Football League Trophy, as he scored the golden goal winner against Huddersfield Town that ensured the club a date at the Millennium Stadium. He went on to play the full ninety minutes of the club's triumph over Cambridge United in the final.

He enjoyed a similarly successful campaign in 2002–03 and was offered a two-year contract extension in March 2003. He was later named in the PFA Second Division Team of the Year for his performances throughout the season. The 2003–04 campaign was also memorable for Bullock, as he helped Blackpool to lift the League Trophy for the second time in three seasons, following victory over Southend United. He made a further 28 league appearances for the club in 2004–05. The new boss Colin Hendry told him he would not be offered a new contract. He signed for Brian Horton's Macclesfield Town in June 2005. In his first season with the club he made 40 appearances in League Two. He made a further 43 appearances in his second season at Moss Rose. In May 2007, he switched clubs to Wycombe Wanderers, penning a two-year deal. He made 27 appearances in all competitions for the club in 2007–08, before he announced his retirement from the professional game in May 2008.

In 2009, he made a late move to New Zealand to play for Waitakere United. Following a second-place finish in 2009–10, Waitakere went on to reach the final of the OFC Champions League, and Bullock played both games of the 4–2 aggregate defeat to Papua New Guinea side Hekari United. Waitakere went on to win the championship in 2010–11 after defeating rivals Auckland City. They retained their title in 2011–12 with a 4–1 win over Team Wellington. He retired at the age of 37 in June 2012.

International career Whilst with Barnsley, Bullock won a cap for the England under-21 side in 1996.

Coaching career Bullock was appointed head coach of the New Zealand U17 team and a Football Development Officer at the Northern Football Federation in March 2020. In December 2024, he became the first coach in Oceania to complete his assessment and achieve the OFC/NZF Pro Licence coaching diploma.

Career statistics

Honours Barnsley Football League First Division second-place promotion: 1996–97

Blackpool Football League Trophy: 2001–02, 2003–04

Waitakere United New Zealand Football Championship: 2010–11, 2011–12 OFC Champions League runner-up: 2010

Individual PFA Team of the Year: 2002–03 Second Division