UP until five years ago striker Rob Hulse was regularly banging in goals in a football career that took him from Crewe to West Brom, Leeds, Sheffield United and Derby among others.
But last summer after a four-year course, the former front man qualified from the University of Salford with First Class Honours in a Bachelors degree in Physiotherapy.
He now works as a physiotherapist for the NHS in Dudley, Worcestershire.
Hulse, 38, said: “I always knew I wanted to become a physio when I quit the game.
“For me it was going to be my exit strategy.
“I didn’t want my life to be defined by playing football.
“I had a great time playing with some wonderful memories but you are a long time retired.
“I am very grateful to the PFA who partly funded my course.”
Hulse started his career at Crewe and built up a great striking partnership with Dean Ashton in the 2002-03 season and won the club’s Player of the Year award during that campaign.
He joined West Brom for £750,000 in 2003 before switching to Leeds for £1.1m in 2005, then a £2.2m move to Sheffield United a year later and a £1.75m arrival at Derby in 2008.
The Crewe-born ex-player finished his career with spells at London clubs QPR (2010-13) with loan moves to Charlton (2012-13) and Millwall (2013).
“I have very fond memories of my playing career with all the clubs I played for.
“I think it’s only natural that the teams I played most games was where I have closer affiliations.
Rob Hulse factfile
Crewe Alexandra, 1999-2003
- 131 matches
- 51 goals
- Second Division team of the year: 2002-03
- Player of the Year: 2002-03
West Bromwich Albion, 2003-2005
- 46 matches
- 13 goals
Leeds United, 2005-06
- 59 matches
- 20 goals
- Player of the Year: 2005-06
Sheffield United, 2006-08
- 53 matches
- Eight goals
- Player of the Year: 2006-07
Derby County, 2008-11
- 96 matches
- 31 goals
- Player of the Year: 2008-09
Queens Park Rangers, 2011-2013
- 25 matches
- Two goals
- Championship winners medal: 2010-11
Charlton Athletic (loan), 2012
- 15 matches
- Three goals
Millwall (loan), 2013
- 15 matches
- One goal
Career total
- 441 matches
- 129 goals
“Leeds are the team I actually support, so playing at Elland Road was a special time.
“But I also thought the supporters at Sheffield United were really good to me.
“It would be fair to say I had nothing but great support from the fans wherever I played.”
MAKES YOU INK The meaning behind Raheem Sterling’s tattoo and other inkings by stars like Sergio Ramos
That love was proven come awards time came around, with Hulse named as player of the season at four different clubs – Crewe in 2003, Leeds in 2006, Sheffield United in 2007 and Derby in 2009.
Life has taken a complete sea change for a player who hit 129 goals in nearly 450 games for eight clubs and was Sheffield United’s leading scorer in the 2005-06 campaign.
MOST READ IN FOOTBALL
He added: “I’m very proud to work for the NHS. I think it’s one of this country’s great success stories, despite the bad press it seems to get.”
But his new career means he doesn’t get much time to watch football.
“My daily schedule is polar opposites from when I was playing.
“I’m out of the house around 7.30am and finish around 6pm.
“But I thoroughly enjoy every moment of it.
“When I’m home my life is all encompassing with my two young daughters, Lucy and Ella.”
Leave a comment