James Bulkeley (footballer)

Last updated

James Bulkeley
NTSCvsVentura 09.06.2025 JRC29219-Enhanced-NR.jpg
Bulkeley vs Ventura County
Personal information
Full name James Andrew Bulkeley
Date of birth 14 May 2005 (age 20)
Place of birth Napier, New Zealand
Height 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)
Position Centre-Back
Team information
Current team
 North Texas SC
Number 5
Youth career
Inner West Hawks FC
Mounties Wanderes FC
Hakoah Sydney City East FC
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2023-2024 Fleetwood United FC 13 (0)
2024-2025 Gulf United FC 7 (0)
2025 North Texas SC 11 (0)
International career
2024-2025 New Zealand U-20 6 (1)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals

James Andrew Bulkeley (born 14 May 2005) is a New Zealand professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for MLS Next Pro club North Texas SC. [1] [2]

Contents

Club Career

Fleetwood United FC

In August 2023, Bulkeley signed with UAE Second Division League club and Fleetwood Town FC sister club Fleetwood United FC for the 23/24 season. He made thirteen league appearances as the club went on to win the league title and achieved promotion to the UAE First Division League at the end of the season. [3] [4]

Gulf United FC

In August 2024, ahead of the 2024–25 season, Bulkeley signed for Gulf United FC, who compete in the UAE First Division League. He made his league debut on 14 September 2024 in a 1–1 draw against Al Dhaid. [5] During his time with the club, Bulkeley made seven league appearances and featured once in the UAE President’s Cup, playing in a 2–0 defeat to United FC. [6] He left the club in January 2025.

North Texas SC

In January 2025, Bulkeley signed a one year deal with a club option for a second year in 2026 with North Texas SC, the reserve team of FC Dallas, competing in MLS Next Pro. [7] [8] He made his debut on 14 March 2025 against the Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 in a 3-2 win, coming on as a substitute in the 70th minute. [9] [10] [11] Over the season, Bulkeley made 11 league appearances for the club, contributing to North Texas SC clinching a playoff spot. [12] [13] [14] [15]

International career

New Zealand U-20

In 2024, Bulkeley was called up to the New Zealand under-19 squad to play in the OFC U-19 Men's Championship that took place in Samoa in July 2024. [16] Bulkeley played in four of the five matches, scoring one goal against New Caledonia in their 4-0 victory in the final, winning the championship. [17] [18] [19]

Bulkeley was named as part of the 21-player New Zealand U-20 squad for the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup that took place in Chile from September to October 2025. [20] [21] [22] Bulkeley made two appearances in the tournament, with New Zealand exiting after the conclusion of the group stage. [23] [24] [25] [26]

References

  1. ↑ "New Zealand U-20s scorer James Bulkeley: 'There's a lot to learn for the boys'". Friends of Football. 7 June 2025. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
  2. ↑ "James Bulkeley". mlsnextpro. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
  3. ↑ Duerden, John (25 April 2024). "Football's unlikeliest global brand: how Fleetwood made it big in the UAE". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 28 October 2025.
  4. ↑ "Fleetwood United crowned UAE Second Division champions". Fleetwood Town Football Club. 11 April 2024. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
  5. ↑ "FIFA+". FIFA+. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
  6. ↑ "United FC Claims First Victory of the Season in President's Cup Opener • Dubai United FC". 24 September 2024. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
  7. ↑ "New Zealand U-20 defender James Bulkeley signs pro contract with Texan club". Friends of Football. 3 February 2025. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
  8. ↑ "North Texas SC Acquires Defender James Bulkeley from Gulf United FC". North Texas SC. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
  9. ↑ "NTXvsVAN 03-14-2025". mlsnextpro. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
  10. ↑ "North Texas SC Obtains 3-2 Win Over Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2". North Texas SC. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
  11. ↑ "North Texas SC vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC II – Final Score – March 15, 2024". www.foxsports.com. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
  12. ↑ ""I want to help the team as much as I can": James Bulkeley is Ready to Make his Mark". North Texas SC. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
  13. ↑ "North Texas SC Defeats LAFC2 4-2 to Clinch a Playoff Spot on Decision Day". North Texas SC. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
  14. ↑ "North Texas SC Faces The Town FC in Western Conference Quarterfinals of the MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs". North Texas SC. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
  15. ↑ "North Texas SC clinch last playoff spot in Western Conference after 4-2 victory over LAFC2". mlsnextpro. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
  16. ↑ "The Home of Football & Futsal". www.nzfootball.co.nz. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
  17. ↑ "The Home of Football & Futsal". www.nzfootball.co.nz. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
  18. ↑ "Dominant New Zealand win OFC U-19 Men's Championship". www.fifa.com. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
  19. ↑ "Failed talent identification in Australian football – yet another player lost as Bulkeley stars for New Zealand". The Roar. Retrieved 31 October 2025.
  20. ↑ "The Home of Football & Futsal". www.nzfootball.co.nz. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
  21. ↑ "North Texas SC Defender James Bulkeley Named to 23-Man New Zealand Roster for 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup". North Texas SC. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
  22. ↑ Carrick, Buzz (12 September 2025). "North Texas SC's James Bulkeley named to New Zealand U20 World Cup Team". 3rd Degree. Retrieved 31 October 2025.
  23. ↑ "Chile 2–1 New Zealand". www.fifa.com. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
  24. ↑ "Egypt 1–2 New Zealand". www.fifa.com. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
  25. ↑ "Chile 2-1 New Zealand (Sep 27, 2025) Final Score". ESPN. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
  26. ↑ "Egypt 1-2 New Zealand (Sep 30, 2025) Final Score". ESPN. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
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