Salisbury City defender Ronnie Bull eyes final bow
By Damian Derrick
Bull is hoping for a place in Tommy Widdrington's starting 11
It is the sort of question you would expect to find in a pub quiz. Which player has been to cup finals at the old Wembley, the new Wembley and the Millenium Stadium but never got out of his suit?
The answer: Salisbury City's Ronnie Bull.
As the Whites prepare for their FA Trophy semi-final first leg tie against Barrow at the weekend, their much-travelled left-back is hoping for a change in fortunes.
The 29-year-old began his senior career 12 years ago at Millwall making his debut in the run up to the Lions' appearance at Wembley in, what is now known as, the Johnstone's Paint Trophy.
"In 1998 I made my debut three days before the cup final," Bull told BBC Wiltshire.
"There was a chance I could get my chance at Wembley but Jamie Stewart got back from injury.
"It would have been nice to play at the old Wembley as not many people can say that they've done that but I got to see the inside of it.
If I'm honest with myself I didn't think I'd get another chance. It would be fantastic to see Wembley again and be involved in it.
Salisbury defender Ronnie Bull
"It was a great day other than we lost in the last minute to Wigan. Millwall had 60,000 fans and Wigan only had 12,000."
The Hackney-born left-back had to wait another six years before another cup final came along.
"The next time I got a chance was in 2004 when Millwall played Man Utd at the Millenium Stadium," said Bull.
"The only thing was I got loaned out to Brentford the month before.
"I know I definitely would have been involved in that because there were lads on the bench that day that hadn't even played for the reserves."
Bull left Millwall that year for Grimsby Town before a brief spell in New Zealand saw him return to England where he began to ply his trade in the lower leagues.
Between 2006 and 2008 he turned out for Rushden & Diamonds, Grays Athletic and Crawley Town before his next flirtation with a cup final.
Salisbury's FA Trophy Journey
Weymouth 0-1 Salisbury City
Salisbury City 2-0 Maidstone
Salisbury City 2-1 Cambridge United
Salisbury City 2-1 Tamworth
"The next time round I signed for Ebbsfleet in the 2008 January transfer window," said Bull.
"It finished off a fantastic year by being at Wembley (for the FA Trophy) but again I couldn't play because I was cup-tied.
"It was a great feeling because we went there and won. It was when Ebbsfleet had their supporters trust so there were 30,000 there to start.
"Then we must have borrowed fans from Gillingham and Charlton. There must have been 45,000 in total."
Almost two years on and the Whites defender says he loved to get his boots dirty on the hallowed turf.
"I've got a few nice suits in there and one that I still where to games as it fits me like a glove," said Bull.
"Hopefully this time round it can be a little bit different.
"If I'm honest with myself I didn't think I'd get another chance. It would be fantastic to see Wembley again and be involved in it."
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