Bullen 'Never Been Happier'

Wednesday captain Lee Bullen has revealed he's never been happier as he embarks on his fourth year at Hillsborough at 36 - and has revealed Teddy Sheringham is his inspiration.

The Scot may have expected to come and finish his career on a high at S6 by helping Wednesday back to the Championship with Paul Sturrock, but the Owls very own jack-of-all-trades is determined to keep playing as long as possible thanks to the inspiration of players such as Teddy Sheringham - who has just completed a move to Colchester United.

'This is my fourth year at Wednesday and I have never been happier. I am aiming to keep on playing for as long as I possibly can,' Bullen told Yorkshire Sport.

'Teddy Sheringham has just signed for Colchester and that is a bit of inspiration for us veterans - that lads his age are still playing at a high level, while AC Milan had several players in their late 30s playing in the Champions League final.

'It shows that if you can steer clear of injury and look after yourself then you can keep going for alot longer now.

'Players are looking after themselves more and the drinking culture is not as widespread as it used to be. That is not to say people do not go out and enjoy themselves, and rightly so, but with better education about diet and fitness it is certainly helping to extend players' careers.'

The former Dunfermline man played a key part in Wednesday's superb end to the 2006-07 campaign which saw the Owls lose just one of their final 13 games to take them to within a whisker of the play-offs.

And Bullen is confident he will still be able to cut it next season, as the Owls look to improve on last year's finish and achieve a play-off finish.

'I'm definitely looking to play regularly. It would not be fair on me or the club if I was just coming in to make up the numbers,' he added.

'I have been happy since Brian (Laws) came in. He gave me a place in the side and that is what you want.

'Under Paul (Sturrock) I was a bit more of a squad player and it is difficult to get into a decent rhythm when you are in and out of the team.'

Bullen is fast becoming a cult hero at S6, after having played in all 11 positions for the club since his arrival back in 2004 - and he'll be hoping to lead Wednesday to more glory next season.