Bullen was born in
Edinburgh. He started his career in Scotland with
Dunfermline Athletic, but failed to make an appearance before moving to
Penicuik Athletic, a
Junior Football team. Bullen then spent time at
Meadowbank Thistle,
Stenhousemuir and
Whitburn. After failing to become an established player at a professional club in Scotland, Bullen moved to Australia to pursue his footballing career, playing for CYC Stanmore and
Wollongong Wolves. During his time in Australia, Bullen was scouted by a Hong Kong football club, Kui Tan, and he made the switch to Hong Kong. He played in the
Hong Kong Football League for four seasons in total, moving from Kui Tan to
Golden then on to
South China. On 26 May 1996, Bullen played for a Hong Kong XI side in an unofficial friendly against
England in their build up to
Euro 96. In 1998 Bullen moved to Greece and spent two years at
Kalamata in the
Greek Football League. In 2000 at the age of 29, Bullen returned to Scotland, signing for
Dunfermline Athletic. Bullen spent five years at the Scottish club. After leading Dunfermline to the
Scottish Cup Final, Bullen moved to English club
Sheffield Wednesday on a free transfer in the summer of 2004. He immediately became an integral part of their play-off push after making his debut on 7 August in a 3–0 defeat on the opening day of the season at
Hillsborough against
Colchester United and scoring his first goal the next game on 10 August, away at
Blackpool to lead the team to a 2–1 victory. In November 2005 the Captain's armband was passed onto him by
Chris Marsden who was forced into retirement by injury. Bullen finished his first season in Sheffield with seven league goals. During his time at Sheffield Wednesday he played in all eleven positions for the Owls, including memorably in goal away at
Millwall, and received The
Wash & Go good sport award for his efforts. In January 2008, Bullen was informed by Sheffield Wednesday manager
Brian Laws that he would not have his contract renewed upon its expiry at the end of the
2007–08 season. Bullen's final appearance for Sheffield Wednesday came in a crucial relegation battle against
Leicester City on the penultimate game of the season which the Owls won 3–1, an injury sustained in this game denied him an appearance for the last match of the season versus
Norwich City on 4 May 2008 and a chance to play at Hillsborough for the last time. He did however appear in the end of season lap-of-honour and received a spectacular reception from the fans. Bullen was given a
Guard of honour by his Wednesday teammates as he left the pitch for the final time. In May 2008, Bullen joined
Scottish Premier League side
Falkirk on a two-year deal. Bullen later became an assistant coach at Falkirk. He scored his only goal for Falkirk in a 2–0 win over
Hamilton Academical in November 2009. He left Falkirk in October 2011 to move to Sheffield, where his wife runs an
estate agency business. ==Coaching career==