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{{short description|English footballer}}
{{redirect|Robert Hulse|the Stoke forward|Bob Hulse|the Darlington defender|Bobby Hulse}}
{{redirect|Robert Hulse|the Stoke forward|Bob Hulse|the Darlington defender|Bobby Hulse}}
{{for|the Belizean Olympic shooter|Robert Hulse (sport shooter)}}
{{for|the Belizean Olympic shooter|Robert Hulse (sport shooter)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2022}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2013}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2013}}
{{Infobox football biography
{{Infobox football biography
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| image_size = 100
| image_size = 100
| caption = Rob Hulse with [[Leeds United F.C.|Leeds United]]
| caption = Rob Hulse with [[Leeds United F.C.|Leeds United]]
| fullname = Robert William Hulse<ref name="Hugman2009/10">{{cite book |editor-first=Barry J. |editor-last=Hugman |title=The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2009–10 |year=2009 |publisher=Mainstream Publishing |location=Edinburgh |isbn=978-1-84596-474-0}}</ref>
| fullname = Robert William Hulse
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1979|10|25|df=yes}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1979|10|25|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Crewe]], England
| birth_place = [[Crewe]], England
| height = {{height|m=1.87|precision=0}}<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www1.skysports.com/football/player/3328/rob-hulse|title= Rob Hulse - Player Profile |work=web page |publisher= Sky Sports |accessdate =12 November 2013}}</ref>
| height = {{height|m=1.87|precision=0}}<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www1.skysports.com/football/player/3328/rob-hulse|title= Rob Hulse Player Profile |work=web page |publisher= Sky Sports |access-date =12 November 2013}}</ref>
| position = [[Forward (association football)|Striker]]
| position = [[Forward (association football)|Striker]]
| currentclub =
| currentclub =
| clubnumber =
| clubnumber =
| youthyears1 = 1989–1999
| youthyears1 = 1989–1998
| youthclubs1 = [[Crewe Alexandra F.C.|Crewe Alexandra]]
| youthclubs1 = [[Crewe Alexandra F.C.|Crewe Alexandra]]
| years1 = 1999–2003
| years1 = 1998–2003
| clubs1 = [[Crewe Alexandra F.C.|Crewe Alexandra]]
| clubs1 = [[Crewe Alexandra F.C.|Crewe Alexandra]]
| caps1 = 116
| caps1 = 116
Line 65: Line 66:
| nationalteam-update =
| nationalteam-update =
}}
}}
'''Robert William "Rob" Hulse''' (born 25 October 1979) is an [[England|English]] former [[association football|footballer]] who played as a [[forward (association football)|striker]].
'''Robert William Hulse''' (born 25 October 1979) is an English former [[association football|footballer]] who played as a [[forward (association football)|striker]].


He had primarily spent his career at second tier level, playing there with [[Crewe Alexandra F.C.|Crewe Alexandra]]. [[West Bromwich Albion F.C.|West Bromwich Albion]], [[Leeds United F.C.|Leeds United]], [[Sheffield United F.C.|Sheffield United]], [[Derby County F.C.|Derby County]], [[Queens Park Rangers F.C.|Queens Park Rangers]] and [[Charlton Athletic F.C.|Charlton Athletic]]. He has won promotion on three occasions twice to the top flight and had his most notable spell in the [[Premier League]] with [[Sheffield United F.C.|Sheffield United]], where he finished as the club's top scorer in the [[2006–07 FA Premier League|2006–07 season]], despite his season finishing early due to injury. He scored his 100th career league goal with a penalty against [[Sheffield Wednesday F.C.|Sheffield Wednesday]] for Derby on 3 October 2009. Hulse was a part of QPR's Championship winning team in the [[2010–11 Football League Championship|2010–11 season]].
He had primarily spent his career at second tier level, playing there with [[Crewe Alexandra F.C.|Crewe Alexandra]], [[West Bromwich Albion F.C.|West Bromwich Albion]], [[Leeds United F.C.|Leeds United]], [[Sheffield United F.C.|Sheffield United]], [[Derby County F.C.|Derby County]], [[Queens Park Rangers F.C.|Queens Park Rangers]] and [[Charlton Athletic F.C.|Charlton Athletic]]. He has won promotion on three occasions twice to the top flight and had his most notable spell in the [[Premier League]] with [[Sheffield United F.C.|Sheffield United]], where he finished as the club's top scorer in the [[2006–07 FA Premier League|2006–07 season]], despite his season finishing early due to injury. He scored his 100th career league goal with a penalty against [[Sheffield Wednesday F.C.|Sheffield Wednesday]] for Derby on 3 October 2009. Hulse was a part of QPR's Championship winning team in the [[2010–11 Football League Championship|2010–11 season]].


==Career==
==Career==


===Crewe Alexandra===
===Crewe Alexandra===
Born in Wistaston, near Crewe, [[Cheshire]], Hulse began his career at [[Crewe Alexandra F.C.|Crewe Alexandra]], having been part of the club's youth system since he was nine years old. Unfortunately, a sudden spurt in height during his late teens left Hulse with a serious back injury and was sidelined for around 12 months. When Hulse returned to fitness, he was given a two-month loan to then [[Northern Premier League]] side [[Hyde United F.C.|Hyde United]], where he scored nine goals in 11 appearances during the [[1999–2000 in English football|1999–2000]] season.<ref>{{Cite news | title = Rob Hulse: Blade runner | url = http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/rob-hulse-blade-runner-429644.html | newspaper = The Independent | date = 2006-12-23| accessdate = 2009-05-02 | location=London}}</ref> The successful loan spell led to Hulse's first team debut for Crewe, in their 1–0 win over [[Norwich City F.C.|Norwich City]]. It took Hulse a further three appearances to score his first goal for the club, which was in the club's 2–0 away win over [[Barnsley F.C.|Barnsley]].
Born in [[Crewe]], [[Cheshire]], Hulse began his career at [[Crewe Alexandra F.C.|Crewe Alexandra]], having been part of the club's youth system since he was nine years old. A sudden spurt in height during his late teens left Hulse with a serious back injury, sidelining him for 12 months. When Hulse returned to fitness, he was given a three-month loan to then-[[Northern Premier League]] side [[Hyde United F.C.|Hyde United]], where he scored 9 goals in 11 appearances during the [[1999–2000 in English football|1999–2000]] season.<ref>{{Cite news | title = Rob Hulse: Blade runner | url = https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/rob-hulse-blade-runner-429644.html | newspaper = The Independent | date = 2006-12-23| access-date = 2009-05-02 | location=London}}</ref> The successful loan spell led to Hulse's first team debut for Crewe, in their 1–0 win over [[Norwich City F.C.|Norwich City]]. It took Hulse a further three appearances to score his first goal for the club, which was in the club's 2–0 away win over [[Barnsley F.C.|Barnsley]].


Hulse quickly became a fans' favourite at Crewe, thanks to his high work-rate and finishing the [[2000–01 in English football|2000–01]] and [[2001–02 in English football|2001–02]] seasons as the club's top goalscorer with 11 and 12 goals respectively. The club were relegated at the end of the 2001–02 season, but Hulse, along with [[Dean Ashton]] and [[Rodney Jack]], proved to be too much for fellow Division Two defences to handle in 2002–03. Hulse finished as the club's top goalscorer for the third season in succession, scoring 23 goals. His performances during the season earned him the club's ''Player of the Year'' award, as well as appearing in the [[Professional Footballers' Association|PFA]] Division Two Team of the Year.<ref>{{Cite news
Hulse quickly became a fans' favourite at Crewe, thanks to his high work-rate and finishing the [[2000–01 in English football|2000–01]] and [[2001–02 in English football|2001–02]] seasons as the club's top goalscorer with 11 and 12 goals respectively. The club were relegated at the end of the 2001–02 season, but Hulse, along with [[Dean Ashton]] and [[Rodney Jack]], proved to be too much for fellow Division Two defences to handle in 2002–03. Hulse finished as the club's top goalscorer for the third season in succession, scoring 23 goals. His performances during the season earned him the club's ''Player of the Year'' award, as well as appearing in the [[Professional Footballers' Association|PFA]] [[PFA Team of the Year (2000s)|Division Two Team of the Year]].<ref>{{cite news
| title = Wigan dominate PFA team
| title = Wigan dominate PFA team
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/2981569.stm
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/2981569.stm
| publisher = BBC Sport
| publisher = BBC Sport
| date = 2003-04-28
| date = 2003-04-28
| accessdate = 2008-10-09}}</ref>
| access-date = 2008-10-09}}</ref>


Despite Crewe's promotion back to Division One, Hulse rejected a new contract and manager [[Dario Gradi]] decided to sell him instead of letting him go on a [[Bosman ruling|Bosman]].<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/crewe_alexandra/2978034.stm "Crewe transfer-list Hulse"] [[BBC Sport]]. Retrieved 18 December 2006</ref> A whole host of clubs were interested in Hulse. Fellow promoted club [[Cardiff City F.C.|Cardiff City]] were close to signing Hulse for a fee believed to be in a region of [[Pound sterling|£]]750,000, but Hulse did not wish to sign for the Blue Birds.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/crewe_alexandra/3002004.stm "Hulse snubs Cardiff"] [[BBC Sport]]. Retrieved 18 December 2006</ref>
Despite Crewe's promotion back to Division One, Hulse rejected a new contract and manager [[Dario Gradi]] decided to sell him instead of letting him go on a [[Bosman ruling|Bosman]].<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/crewe_alexandra/2978034.stm "Crewe transfer-list Hulse"] [[BBC Sport]]. Retrieved 18 December 2006</ref> A whole host of clubs were interested in Hulse. Fellow promoted club [[Cardiff City F.C.|Cardiff City]] were close to signing Hulse for a fee believed to be in a region of [[Pound sterling|£]]750,000, but Hulse did not wish to sign for the Blue Birds.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/crewe_alexandra/3002004.stm "Hulse snubs Cardiff"] [[BBC Sport]]. Retrieved 18 December 2006</ref>


===West Bromwich Albion===
===West Bromwich Albion===
It was [[West Bromwich Albion F.C.|West Bromwich Albion]] that would secure the signing of Hulse for a fee of £750,000.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/west_bromwich_albion/3055657.stm "Baggies bag duo"] [[BBC Sport]]. Retrieved 18 December 2006</ref> He made his debut for West Brom in their 4–1 defeat at [[Walsall F.C.|Walsall]], but scored his first goal for the club in the 4–0 home win over [[Brentford F.C.|Brentford]]. Hulse played a key role in the club's promotion challenge prior to having a stomach injury during the Christmas period. After recovering from this injury, Hulse made a further 19 appearances, finishing the club's top scorer.
[[West Bromwich Albion F.C.|West Bromwich Albion]] signed Hulse for a fee of £750,000.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/west_bromwich_albion/3055657.stm "Baggies bag duo"] [[BBC Sport]]. Retrieved 18 December 2006</ref> He made his debut for West Brom in their 4–1 opening day defeat at [[Walsall F.C.|Walsall]], and scored his first goal for the club in a 4–0 home win over [[Brentford F.C.|Brentford]] in the [[English League Cup|League Cup]] 1st Round. Hulse played a prominent role in the first team before suffering a stomach during the Christmas period. He scored two goals in a 4-3 win against [[West Ham United F.C.|West Ham]] at the [[Boleyn Ground]] in November, which saw Albion come back from 3-0 down. After recovering from this injury, Hulse made a further 19 appearances and finished the season as the club's top scorer in all competitions with 13 goals, helping Albion secure promotion back to the [[English Premier League|Premier League]].


Despite his influential role in the previous year's promotion campaign, Hulse was given little chance to prove himself in the top flight, this was because of the summer signings of [[Robert Earnshaw]], [[Geoff Horsfield]] and [[Nwankwo Kanu]]. Hulse only played seven games for West Brom during the [[2004–05 in English football|2004–05]] season, scoring no goals.
Despite his influential role in the previous year's promotion campaign, Hulse was given little chance to prove himself in the top flight and was largely kept out of the first team by summer signings [[Robert Earnshaw]] and [[Nwankwo Kanu]]. Hulse only played seven games for West Brom during the [[2004–05 in English football|2004–05]] season, scoring no goals.


===Leeds United===
===Leeds United===
Having played only a mediocre amount of games in comparison to his fellow strikers at West Brom, Hulse decided to join [[Leeds United F.C.|Leeds United]] on loan for the final three months of the 2004–05 campaign instead of a £1.2&nbsp;million switch to [[Stoke City F.C.|Stoke City]].<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/leeds_united/4233277.stm "Hulse completes Leeds loan switch"] [[BBC Sport]]. Retrieved 18 December 2006</ref> His debut was spectacular, scoring two individual goals struck from outside the box against [[Reading F.C.|Reading]].
Having played a relatively small number of games in comparison to his fellow strikers at West Brom, Hulse decided to join [[Leeds United F.C.|Leeds United]] on loan for the final three months of the 2004–05 campaign instead of a £1.2&nbsp;million switch to [[Stoke City F.C.|Stoke City]].<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/leeds_united/4233277.stm "Hulse completes Leeds loan switch"] [[BBC Sport]]. Retrieved 18 December 2006</ref> His debut was spectacular, scoring two individual goals struck from outside the box against [[Reading F.C.|Reading]].


The success of the loan spell led to a £1.1&nbsp;million transfer to Leeds.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/leeds_united/4529127.stm "Leeds sign Baggies striker Hulse"] [[BBC Sport]]. Retrieved 18 December 2006</ref> Hulse scored 20 goals in 51 games. He was the club's top scorer with 14 goals in the [[2005–06 in English football|2005–06]] season despite being in competition with several forwards including [[Robbie Blake]], [[David Healy (footballer)|David Healy]] and [[Richard Cresswell]] for a place in the side as well as playing with an ankle injury during the start of the season.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/leeds_united/4374934.stm "Blackwell tribute to 'hero' Hulse"] [[BBC Sport]]. Retrieved 18 December 2006</ref>
The success of the loan spell led to a £1.1&nbsp;million transfer to Leeds.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/leeds_united/4529127.stm "Leeds sign Baggies striker Hulse"] [[BBC Sport]]. Retrieved 18 December 2006</ref> Hulse scored 20 goals in 51 games. He was the club's top scorer with 14 goals in the [[2005–06 in English football|2005–06]] season despite being in competition with several forwards including [[Robbie Blake]], [[David Healy (footballer)|David Healy]] and [[Richard Cresswell]] for a place in the side as well as playing with an ankle injury during the start of the season.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/leeds_united/4374934.stm "Blackwell tribute to 'hero' Hulse"] [[BBC Sport]]. Retrieved 18 December 2006</ref>
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| newspaper = Sheffield Star
| newspaper = Sheffield Star
| date = 2006-08-21
| date = 2006-08-21
| accessdate = 2013-11-12
| access-date = 2013-11-12
}}</ref> although Liverpool managed to equalise through a [[Robbie Fowler]] penalty. He went on to be the club's top scorer for the season, netting regularly until March.
}}</ref> although Liverpool managed to equalise through a [[Robbie Fowler]] penalty. He went on to be the club's top scorer for the season, netting regularly until March.


On 17 March, Hulse and [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]] goalkeeper [[Petr Čech]] challenged for the ball in a league game at [[Stamford Bridge (stadium)|Stamford Bridge]], resulting in a horrific injury. Hulse almost turned in a low [[Keith Gillespie]] cross but Čech raced out to smother his effort and in the collision Hulse's ankle appeared to snap beneath him. After a five-minute delay Hulse was carried off on a stretcher and taken to hospital with what was thought to be a double fracture.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.premierleague.com/fapl.rac?command=setSelectedId&nextPage=enNewsLatest&id=1722834&type=com.fapl.website.news.NewsItem&categoryCode=NewsLatestFAPremierLeagueNews |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070329061157/http://www.premierleague.com/fapl.rac?command=setSelectedId&nextPage=enNewsLatest&id=1722834&type=com.fapl.website.news.NewsItem&categoryCode=NewsLatestFAPremierLeagueNews |archivedate=29 March 2007 |title=Hulse Suffers Double Fracture |publisher= Premier League|date=17 March 2007 |accessdate=12 November 2013}}</ref> On 20 March, it was confirmed that Hulse had fractured his left leg in two places, for which he underwent surgery.<ref name="injury">{{Cite news
On 17 March, Hulse and [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]] goalkeeper [[Petr Čech]] challenged for the ball in a league game at [[Stamford Bridge (stadium)|Stamford Bridge]], resulting in a horrific injury. Hulse almost turned in a low [[Keith Gillespie]] cross but Čech raced out to smother his effort and in the collision Hulse's ankle appeared to snap beneath him. After a five-minute delay Hulse was carried off on a stretcher and taken to hospital with what was thought to be a double fracture.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.premierleague.com/fapl.rac?command=setSelectedId&nextPage=enNewsLatest&id=1722834&type=com.fapl.website.news.NewsItem&categoryCode=NewsLatestFAPremierLeagueNews |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070329061157/http://www.premierleague.com/fapl.rac?command=setSelectedId&nextPage=enNewsLatest&id=1722834&type=com.fapl.website.news.NewsItem&categoryCode=NewsLatestFAPremierLeagueNews |archive-date=29 March 2007 |title=Hulse Suffers Double Fracture |publisher= Premier League|date=17 March 2007 |access-date=12 November 2013}}</ref> On 20 March, it was confirmed that Hulse had fractured his left leg in two places, for which he underwent surgery.<ref name="injury">{{cite news
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/sheff_utd/6475049.stm
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/sheff_utd/6475049.stm
| title = Hulse feared his career was over
| title = Hulse feared his career was over
| publisher = BBC Sport
| publisher = BBC Sport
| date = 2007-03-21
| date = 2007-03-21
| accessdate = 2008-04-06
| access-date = 2008-04-06
}}</ref> His season over, he still finished up as United's top scorer in the Premier League with eight league goals.
}}</ref> His season over, he still finished up as United's top scorer in the Premier League with eight league goals.


Hulse eventually returned to the first team in December 2007 after 9 months out,<ref name="return">{{Cite web
Hulse eventually returned to the first team in December 2007 after 9 months out,<ref name="return">{{Cite web
| url = http://origin-www.sufc.co.uk/page/PlayerFeatures/0,,10418~1198719,00.html
|url = http://origin-www.sufc.co.uk/page/PlayerFeatures/0,,10418~1198719,00.html
| title = Hulse ready for more action
|title = Hulse ready for more action
| publisher = Sheffield United F.C.
|publisher = Sheffield United F.C.
| date = 2007-12-24
|date = 2007-12-24
| accessdate = 2013-11-12
|access-date = 2013-11-12
|url-status = dead
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131112112055/http://origin-www.sufc.co.uk/page/PlayerFeatures/0,,10418~1198719,00.html
|archive-date = 12 November 2013
}}</ref> but despite making 24 appearances for the Blades over the course of that season he was unable to find full fitness and failed to score a goal ending his Blades career on a disappointing note.
}}</ref> but despite making 24 appearances for the Blades over the course of that season he was unable to find full fitness and failed to score a goal ending his Blades career on a disappointing note.


===Derby County===
===Derby County===
Following the end of the 2007–08 season, Hulse was strongly linked with a move away to United's Championship rivals [[Derby County F.C.|Derby County]]. Although an initial move in June 2008 fell through,<ref name="Rams raid Sheffield United as striker Hulse arrives at Pride Park for talks">{{Cite news|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1023983/Rams-raid-Sheffield-United-striker-Hulse-arrives-Pride-Park-talks.html| title = Rams raid Sheffield United as striker Hulse arrives at Pride Park for talks| newspaper = Daily Mail | date = 2008-06-03| accessdate = 2008-06-04| location=London}}</ref> the deal was eventually completed on 21 July 2008 for £1.75&nbsp;million.<ref name="Hulse">{{Cite news| title=Derby complete £1.75m Hulse deal| publisher=BBC Sport| date=2008-07-21 | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/d/derby_county/7511320.stm| accessdate=2008-07-21 }}</ref> Five days later he scored on his unofficial debut for the club, a [[friendly match]], against [[Mansfield Town F.C.|Mansfield Town]].<ref>{{Cite news| title = Report: Mansfield 2 Derby 3 |url=http://origin-www.dcfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10270~1351738,00.html| publisher = Derby County F.C.| date = 2008-07-26 | accessdate = 2013-11-12}}</ref> Hulse made his competitive debut in a 1–0 home defeat to [[Doncaster Rovers F.C.|Doncaster Rovers]] on the opening day of the 2008–09 season.<ref>{{Cite news| title = Derby County vs Doncaster | url = http://origin-www.dcfc.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10270~43659,00.html | publisher = Derby County F.C. | date = 2008-08-09 | accessdate = 2013-11-12}}</ref> His first league goal for Derby was the winner in a 2–1 victory over his former club Sheffield United in September 2008.<ref>{{Cite news| title = Derby County vs Sheffield Utd | url = http://origin-www.dcfc.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10270~43857,00.html | publisher = Derby County F.C. | date = 2008-09-13
Following the end of the 2007–08 season, Hulse was strongly linked with a move away to United's Championship rivals [[Derby County F.C.|Derby County]]. The deal was completed on 21 July 2008 for £1.75&nbsp;million.<ref name="Hulse">{{cite news| title=Derby complete £1.75m Hulse deal| publisher=BBC Sport| date=2008-07-21 | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/d/derby_county/7511320.stm| access-date=2008-07-21 }}</ref> Five days later he scored on his unofficial debut for the club, a [[friendly match]], against [[Mansfield Town F.C.|Mansfield Town]].<ref>{{Cite news| title = Report: Mansfield 2 Derby 3 |url=http://origin-www.dcfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10270~1351738,00.html| publisher = Derby County F.C.| date = 2008-07-26 | access-date = 2013-11-12}}</ref> Hulse made his competitive debut in a 1–0 home defeat to [[Doncaster Rovers F.C.|Doncaster Rovers]] on the opening day of the 2008–09 season.<ref>{{Cite news| title = Derby County vs Doncaster | url = http://origin-www.dcfc.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10270~43659,00.html | publisher = Derby County F.C. | date = 2008-08-09 | access-date = 2013-11-12}}</ref> His first league goal for Derby was the winner in a 2–1 victory over his former club Sheffield United in September 2008.<ref>{{Cite news| title = Derby County vs Sheffield Utd | url = http://origin-www.dcfc.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10270~43857,00.html | publisher = Derby County F.C. | date = 2008-09-13
| accessdate = 2013-11-12}}</ref> Hulse's form during October 2008, when he hit four goals in five games, saw him awarded the Championship Player of the Month award.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/PRIZE-GUY-ROB-M-100/story-11641854-detail/story.html|title=Prize guy Rob – Now I'm back to 100%|publisher=''Derby Telegraph''|accessdate=2013-11-12}}</ref> Hulse's goal against [[Charlton Athletic F.C.|Charlton]] secured Derby's Championship status in the final home game of the season.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/live/match/18420/report | work=Sky Sports | title=Hulse winner sees Rams safe | date=25 April 2009}}</ref> On the final day of the season, he played 90 minutes in an unfamiliar central defensive position.<ref>[http://origin-www.dcfc.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10270~44152,00.html DCFC.co.uk – Watford vs Derby County]</ref> Hulse won the Derby County Supporters' Player of the Year award,<ref name="Hulse POTY">{{Cite web| title=Top scorer Hulse swoops for fan award| publisher=''Derby Telegraph''|url=http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/scorer-Hulse-swoops-fan-award/story-11610021-detail/story.html| accessdate=17 April 2009}}</ref> the Players' Player of the Year Trophy<ref name="Hulse POTY" /> and finished the season as the club's top goalscorer, with 15 league goals, and 3 more in the FA Cup.
| access-date = 2013-11-12}}</ref> Hulse's form during October 2008, when he hit four goals in five games, saw him awarded the Championship Player of the Month award.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/PRIZE-GUY-ROB-M-100/story-11641854-detail/story.html|title=Prize guy Rob – Now I'm back to 100%|newspaper=Derby Telegraph|access-date=2013-11-12|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141107163155/http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/PRIZE-GUY-ROB-M-100/story-11641854-detail/story.html|archive-date=7 November 2014}}</ref> Hulse's goal against [[Charlton Athletic F.C.|Charlton]] secured Derby's Championship status in the final home game of the season.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/live/match/18420/report | publisher=Sky Sports | title=Hulse winner sees Rams safe | date=25 April 2009}}</ref> On the final day of the season, he played 90 minutes in an unfamiliar central defensive position.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://origin-www.dcfc.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10270~44152,00.html|title=Derby County Match – Match Reports – Report – 03 May 2009, Watford 3 1 Derby|website=origin-www.dcfc.co.uk}}</ref> Hulse won the Derby County Supporters' Player of the Year award,<ref name="Hulse POTY">{{cite news| title=Top scorer Hulse swoops for fan award| newspaper=Derby Telegraph| url=http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/scorer-Hulse-swoops-fan-award/story-11610021-detail/story.html| access-date=17 April 2009| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924033958/http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/scorer-Hulse-swoops-fan-award/story-11610021-detail/story.html| archive-date=24 September 2015}}</ref> the Players' Player of the Year Trophy<ref name="Hulse POTY" /> and finished the season as the club's top goalscorer, with 15 league goals, and 3 more in the FA Cup.


After a successful first season, Hulse was continually linked with a £3&nbsp;million move to Derby's [[Football League Championship|Championship]] rivals [[Middlesbrough F.C.|Middlesbrough]].<ref name=Hulseboro>{{Cite news|url=http://www.derby.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=160299|publisher=Vital Derby County|title=No bids and we're not selling|date=7 July 2009}}</ref> Derby accepted a bid of £4&nbsp;million on the final day of the 2009 summer [[Transfer window#Transfer deadline day|transfer Window]], but Hulse rejected the move, citing his fondness for club as the reason.<ref name="Hulseboro3">{{Cite web| title=Flattered Hulse Was Happy To Stay| publisher=Vital Derby County| url=http://www.derby.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=168825| date =1 September 2009 }}</ref> Injury disrupted the early part of the season, with Hulse not grabbing his first goal of the season until 15 November in a 3–2 home defeat to [[Barnsley F.C.|Barnsley]] before scoring his 100th league career goal with a 90th-minute penalty in a 3–0 win over [[Sheffield Wednesday F.C.|Sheffield Wednesday]] and earning a place in the Championship Team of the Week.<ref name="Hulsetotw">{{Cite web| title=Team of the Week (05/10/09)| publisher=The Football League| url=http://www.football-league.co.uk/staticFiles/d8/3f/0,,10794~147416,00.pdf| date = 6 October 2009}}</ref> Hulse earned his second Team of the Week slot after scoring two goals in a 2–1 win over [[Coventry City F.C.|Coventry City]] on 7 November 2009<ref name="hulsetow">{{Cite web| title=Team Of The Week (09/11/2009)| publisher=The Football League| url=http://www.football-league.co.uk/staticFiles/d/42/0,,10794~147981,00.pdf| date = 9 November 2009}}</ref> before hitting the winner against relegation rivals [[Reading F.C.|Reading]] on 28 November 2009 to take his tally to six for the season. However, this proved to be his last goal for two months as injury saw him dropped to the bench.
After a successful first season, Hulse was continually linked with a £3&nbsp;million move to Derby's [[Football League Championship|Championship]] rivals [[Middlesbrough F.C.|Middlesbrough]].<ref name=Hulseboro>{{Cite news|url=http://www.derby.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=160299|publisher=Vital Derby County|title=No bids and we're not selling|date=7 July 2009}}</ref> Derby accepted a bid of £4&nbsp;million on the final day of the 2009 summer [[Transfer window#Transfer deadline day|transfer Window]], but Hulse rejected the move, citing his fondness for club as the reason.<ref name="Hulseboro3">{{Cite web| title=Flattered Hulse Was Happy To Stay| publisher=Vital Derby County| url=http://www.derby.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=168825| date =1 September 2009 }}</ref> Injury disrupted the early part of the season, with Hulse not grabbing his first goal of the season until 15 November in a 3–2 home defeat to [[Barnsley F.C.|Barnsley]] before scoring his 100th league career goal with a 90th-minute penalty in a 3–0 win over [[Sheffield Wednesday F.C.|Sheffield Wednesday]] and earning a place in the Championship Team of the Week.<ref name="Hulsetotw">{{Cite web| title=Team of the Week (05/10/09)| publisher=The Football League| url=http://www.football-league.co.uk/staticFiles/d8/3f/0,,10794~147416,00.pdf| date=6 October 2009| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091122191249/http://www.football-league.co.uk/staticFiles/d8/3f/0,,10794~147416,00.pdf| archive-date=22 November 2009}}</ref> Hulse earned his second Team of the Week slot after scoring two goals in a 2–1 win over [[Coventry City F.C.|Coventry City]] on 7 November 2009<ref name="hulsetow">{{Cite web| title=Team Of The Week (09/11/2009)| publisher=The Football League| url=http://www.football-league.co.uk/staticFiles/d/42/0,,10794~147981,00.pdf| date=9 November 2009| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091122143059/http://www.football-league.co.uk/staticFiles/d/42/0,,10794~147981,00.pdf| archive-date=22 November 2009}}</ref> before hitting the winner against relegation rivals [[Reading F.C.|Reading]] on 28 November 2009 to take his tally to six for the season. However, this proved to be his last goal for two months as injury saw him dropped to the bench.


The January transfer window saw Hulse again linked with moves away from the club, with [[Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.|Wolverhampton Wanderers]] interested to the tune of £3&nbsp;million, but the only concrete moves came in the form of loan bids from [[Premier League]] [[Burnley F.C.|Burnley]] and [[Stoke City F.C.|Stoke City]], both of which were rejected.<ref name="Hulseloan">{{cite web |url=http://www.therams.co.uk/news/Rams-sign-Martin-Millwall-today/article-1783356-detail/article.html |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100205115940/http://www.therams.co.uk/news/Rams-sign-Martin-Millwall-today/article-1783356-detail/article.html |archivedate=5 February 2010 |title=Rams will sign Martin from Millwall today |publisher= TheRams.co.uk.|date=1 February 2010 |accessdate=12 November 2013}}</ref> Hulse reclaimed his place in the team towards the end of January 2010 and scored a 78th-minute winner against [[Nottingham Forest F.C.|Nottingham Forest]] in the 85th [[Derby County F.C.–Nottingham Forest F.C. rivalry|East Midlands derby]] to end Forest's 19 match unbeaten run. This sparked a run of form for Hulse, who netted three times in his next three matches, scoring the first in a 3–0 win over league leaders [[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]] and netting a double in a 5–3 victory over [[Preston North End F.C.|Preston North End]], taking his tally to 10 for the season. A combination of injuries and Derby's struggling form saw Hulse grab just two more goals before surgery ruled him out for the remainder of the campaign.<ref name="Hulseurgery">{{Cite news| title=Hulse has adductor release| publisher=Derby County F.C.| url=http://origin-www.dcfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10270~2036388,00.html| date = 28 April 2010 }}</ref> His finishing total of 12 goals saw him finish as Derby's top scorer for the second consecutive campaign.
The January transfer window saw Hulse again linked with moves away from the club, with [[Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.|Wolverhampton Wanderers]] interested to the tune of £3&nbsp;million, but the only concrete moves came in the form of loan bids from [[Premier League]] [[Burnley F.C.|Burnley]] and [[Stoke City F.C.|Stoke City]], both of which were rejected.<ref name="Hulseloan">{{cite web |url=http://www.therams.co.uk/news/Rams-sign-Martin-Millwall-today/article-1783356-detail/article.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100205115940/http://www.therams.co.uk/news/Rams-sign-Martin-Millwall-today/article-1783356-detail/article.html |archive-date=5 February 2010 |title=Rams will sign Martin from Millwall today |publisher= TheRams.co.uk.|date=1 February 2010 |access-date=12 November 2013}}</ref> Hulse reclaimed his place in the team towards the end of January 2010 and scored a 78th-minute winner against [[Nottingham Forest F.C.|Nottingham Forest]] in the 85th [[Derby County F.C.–Nottingham Forest F.C. rivalry|East Midlands derby]] to end Forest's 19 match unbeaten run. This sparked a run of form for Hulse, who netted three times in his next three matches, scoring the first in a 3–0 win over league leaders [[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]] and netting a double in a 5–3 victory over [[Preston North End F.C.|Preston North End]], taking his tally to 10 for the season. A combination of injuries and Derby's struggling form saw Hulse grab just two more goals before surgery ruled him out for the remainder of the campaign.<ref name="Hulseurgery">{{Cite news| title=Hulse has adductor release| publisher=Derby County F.C.| url=http://origin-www.dcfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10270~2036388,00.html| date = 28 April 2010 }}</ref> His finishing total of 12 goals saw him finish as Derby's top scorer for the second consecutive campaign.


Entering the final year of his contract, and with cost-cutting Derby unwilling to match his current contract, [[Burnley F.C.|Burnley]] and [[Queens Park Rangers F.C.|Queens Park Rangers]] both made official enquiries about Hulse, whom Derby valued at £1.5&nbsp;million.<ref name="qprburninterest">{{Cite web| title=Rams ready to cash in on Hulse| publisher=Derby County-Mad| url=http://www.derbycounty-mad.co.uk/news/tmnw/rams_ready_to_cash_in_on_hulse_527487/index.shtml| date = 18 May 2010 }}</ref> Leeds United also expressed an interest in re-signing Hulse, with Derby coach [[Gary Crosby (footballer)|Gary Crosby]] stating "As much as we'd like to keep Rob, financially, we will maybe look to sell him."<ref name="crosby">{{Cite news| title=Leeds boosted in striker chase| publisher=Give Me Sport| url=http://www.givemesport.com/128002-leeds-boosted-in-striker-chase| date = 25 May 2010 }}</ref> However, CEO Tom Glick later dismissed any financial need to sell the striker.<ref name="glickdsmiss">{{Cite news| title=Tom Glick insists Rob Hulse does not need to be sold| publisher=BBC Sport| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/d/derby_county/8739039.stm| date = 14 June 2010 }}</ref> He was later linked with a possible return to the top flight with a £1&nbsp;million move to newly promoted [[Blackpool F.C.|Blackpool]], though his wage was suggested to be a stumbling block.<ref name="hulseblackpool">{{Cite news| title=Blackpool close in on record £1m striker deal| newspaper=Daily Mirror| url=http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Blackpool-transfer-news-Ian-Holloway-closes-in-on-record-1m-striker-deal-for-Derby-s-Rob-Hulse-article530007.html| date = 19 July 2010 }}</ref> Despite speculation over his future, Hulse played a part in Derby's pre-season fixtures and scored in a 1–1 draw with [[Southend United F.C.|Southend United]]. Hulse started the 2010–11 campaign with the opening goal in a 2–1 victory at previous club Leeds United but was again consistently linked with a move away from the club, this time to [[Cardiff City F.C.|Cardiff City]], this time with the possibility of a cash-plus-[[Ross McCormack]] deal<ref name="hulsecardiff">{{Cite news|title=Cardiff City Linked With Derby County's Hulse|url=http://www.cardiff.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=209869#ixzz0x3NvVFLG|publisher=Vital Cardiff City|date= 2010-08-19}}</ref> (although McCormack later joined Leeds United)<ref name="mccormackleeds">{{Cite news|title=Leeds United sign Cardiff City striker Ross McCormack |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/l/leeds_united/8950047.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|date=27 August 2010}}</ref> and Queens Park Rangers.
Entering the final year of his contract, and with cost-cutting Derby unwilling to match his current contract, [[Burnley F.C.|Burnley]] and [[Queens Park Rangers F.C.|Queens Park Rangers]] both made official enquiries about Hulse, whom Derby valued at £1.5&nbsp;million.<ref name="qprburninterest">{{Cite web| title=Rams ready to cash in on Hulse| publisher=Derby County-Mad| url=http://www.derbycounty-mad.co.uk/news/tmnw/rams_ready_to_cash_in_on_hulse_527487/index.shtml| date = 18 May 2010 }}</ref> Leeds United also expressed an interest in re-signing Hulse, with Derby coach [[Gary Crosby (footballer)|Gary Crosby]] stating "As much as we'd like to keep Rob, financially, we will maybe look to sell him."<ref name="crosby">{{Cite news| title=Leeds boosted in striker chase| publisher=Give Me Sport| url=http://www.givemesport.com/128002-leeds-boosted-in-striker-chase| date = 25 May 2010 }}</ref> However, CEO Tom Glick later dismissed any financial need to sell the striker.<ref name="glickdsmiss">{{cite news| title=Tom Glick insists Rob Hulse does not need to be sold| publisher=BBC Sport| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/d/derby_county/8739039.stm| date = 14 June 2010 }}</ref> He was later linked with a possible return to the top flight with a £1&nbsp;million move to newly promoted [[Blackpool F.C.|Blackpool]], though his wage was suggested to be a stumbling block.<ref name="hulseblackpool">{{Cite news| title=Blackpool close in on record £1m striker deal| newspaper=Daily Mirror| url=http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Blackpool-transfer-news-Ian-Holloway-closes-in-on-record-1m-striker-deal-for-Derby-s-Rob-Hulse-article530007.html| date = 19 July 2010 }}</ref> Despite speculation over his future, Hulse played a part in Derby's pre-season fixtures and scored in a 1–1 draw with [[Southend United F.C.|Southend United]]. Hulse started the 2010–11 campaign with the opening goal in a 2–1 victory at previous club Leeds United but was again consistently linked with a move away from the club, this time to [[Cardiff City F.C.|Cardiff City]], this time with the possibility of a cash-plus-[[Ross McCormack]] deal<ref name="hulsecardiff">{{Cite news|title=Cardiff City Linked With Derby County's Hulse|url=http://www.cardiff.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=209869#ixzz0x3NvVFLG|publisher=Vital Cardiff City|date= 2010-08-19}}</ref> (although McCormack later joined Leeds United)<ref name="mccormackleeds">{{cite news|title=Leeds United sign Cardiff City striker Ross McCormack |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/l/leeds_united/8950047.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|date=27 August 2010}}</ref> and Queens Park Rangers.


===Queens Park Rangers===
===Queens Park Rangers===
On 31 August 2010, Derby accepted a bid from Queens Park Rangers for an undisclosed fee, which was speculated be in the region of £500,000.<ref name="joinsQPR">{{Cite news|title=Rob Hulse completes QPR switch striker|url=http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/rob-hulse-completes-qpr-switch-5993621|publisher=Fulham Chronicle|date=3 September 2010}}</ref> the transfer however didn't go through until 3 September 2010, due to issues over the timing of paper work ahead of the 18:00 hrs deadline.<ref name="joinsQPR"/> Hulse rejoined manager [[Neil Warnock]] who he played under at Sheffield United.<ref name="joinsQPR"/> Hulse made his QPR debut on 22 October 2010 in a 1–1 draw at [[Bristol City F.C.|Bristol City]], his debut was delayed due to an [[achilles tendon]] injury.<ref name="Rdebut">{{Cite news|title=Rob Hulse set for QPR debut|url=http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/rob-hulse-set-qpr-debut-5993216|publisher=Fulham Chronicle|date=22 October 2010}}</ref> Hulse played 22 times, during the 2010–11 season, scoring twice<ref name="millwall">{{Cite news|title=Hulse ready for QPR fight after rejecting Millwall|url=http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/other-sport/hulse-ready-qpr-fight-after-5985997|publisher=Fulham Chronicle|date=28 June 2011}}</ref> as QPR won the Championship title and secured a return to the top flight for the first time in the club's history since the [[1995–96 Queens Park Rangers F.C. season|1995–96]] season.
On 31 August 2010, Derby accepted a bid from Queens Park Rangers for an undisclosed fee, which was speculated be in the region of £500,000.<ref name="joinsQPR">{{Cite news|title=Rob Hulse completes QPR switch striker|url=http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/rob-hulse-completes-qpr-switch-5993621|publisher=Fulham Chronicle|date=3 September 2010}}</ref> the transfer however didn't go through until 3 September 2010, due to issues over the timing of paper work ahead of the 18:00 hrs deadline.<ref name="joinsQPR"/> Hulse rejoined manager [[Neil Warnock]] who he played under at Sheffield United.<ref name="joinsQPR"/> Hulse made his QPR debut on 22 October 2010 in a 1–1 draw at [[Bristol City F.C.|Bristol City]], his debut was delayed due to an [[achilles tendon]] injury.<ref name="Rdebut">{{Cite news|title=Rob Hulse set for QPR debut|url=http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/rob-hulse-set-qpr-debut-5993216|publisher=Fulham Chronicle|date=22 October 2010}}</ref> Hulse played 22 times, during the 2010–11 season, scoring twice<ref name="millwall">{{Cite news|title=Hulse ready for QPR fight after rejecting Millwall|url=http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/other-sport/hulse-ready-qpr-fight-after-5985997|publisher=Fulham Chronicle|date=28 June 2011}}</ref> as QPR won the Championship title and secured a return to the top flight for the first time in the club's history since the [[1995–96 Queens Park Rangers F.C. season|1995–96]] season.


In June 2011, ahead of the [[2011–12 Queens Park Rangers F.C. season|2011–12]] season, Hulse turned down a loan move to Millwall, stating a desire to break into the QPR first team.<ref name="millwall"/> However he was then left out of Queens Park Rangers 25-man squad for the Premier League season 2011–12 by [[Neil Warnock]] and in November 2011 was linked with a loan moves to Championship clubs [[Doncaster Rovers F.C.|Doncaster Rovers]],<ref name="donc">{{Cite news|title=Doncaster Rovers eye QPR striker|url=http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/doncaster-rovers-eye-qpr-striker-5981876|publisher=Fulham Chronicle|date=10 November 2011}}</ref> [[Blackpool F.C.|Blackpool]],<ref name="bpool">{{Cite news|title=Blackpool Renew interest in QPR striker|url=http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/blackpool-renew-interest-qpr-striker-5981929|publisher=Fulham Chronicle|date=14 November 2011}}</ref> however Hulse stayed at Rangers and after Warnock was sacked on January 2012, [[Mark Hughes]] the new manager chose Rob Hulse to be in a 25-man squad.<ref name="shock">{{Cite news|title=Hulse shock inclusion in QPR squad|url=http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/hulse-shock-inclusion-qpr-squad-5979377|publisher=Fulham Chronicle|date=2 February 2012}}</ref> Hulse made his first appearance of the season, against Aston Villa. Hulse made two further appearances once in the FA Cup and once more in the Premier League.
In June 2011, ahead of the [[2011–12 Queens Park Rangers F.C. season|2011–12]] season, Hulse turned down a loan move to Millwall, stating a desire to break into the QPR first team.<ref name="millwall"/> However he was then left out of Queens Park Rangers 25-man squad for the Premier League season 2011–12 by [[Neil Warnock]] and in November 2011 was linked with a loan moves to Championship clubs [[Doncaster Rovers F.C.|Doncaster Rovers]],<ref name="donc">{{Cite news|title=Doncaster Rovers eye QPR striker|url=http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/doncaster-rovers-eye-qpr-striker-5981876|publisher=Fulham Chronicle|date=10 November 2011}}</ref> [[Blackpool F.C.|Blackpool]],<ref name="bpool">{{Cite news|title=Blackpool Renew interest in QPR striker|url=http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/blackpool-renew-interest-qpr-striker-5981929|publisher=Fulham Chronicle|date=14 November 2011}}</ref> however Hulse stayed at Rangers and after Warnock was sacked in January 2012, [[Mark Hughes]] the new manager chose Rob Hulse to be in a 25-man squad.<ref name="shock">{{Cite news|title=Hulse shock inclusion in QPR squad|url=http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/hulse-shock-inclusion-qpr-squad-5979377|publisher=Fulham Chronicle|date=2 February 2012}}</ref> Hulse made his first appearance of the season, against Aston Villa. Hulse made two further appearances once in the FA Cup and once more in the Premier League.


Hulse was not given a squad number for the [[2012–13 Queens Park Rangers F.C. season|2012–13]] season and was told he was available for transfer as he was left out of the pre-season tour to Asia,<ref name="snub">{{Cite news|title=QPR man defiant despite tour snub|url=http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/qpr-man-defiant-despite-tour-5975650|publisher=Fulham Chronicle|date=18 July 2012}}</ref> Hulse said he'd let his contract run, which expires in June 2013.<ref name="snub"/> Despite this, Hulse joined fellow London side [[Charlton Athletic F.C.|Charlton Athletic]] on loan for three months on 1 October 2012.<ref name="CharltonLoan">{{Cite news| title=QPR's Rob Hulse joins Charlton Athletic on loan deal| publisher=BBC Sport| date=1 October 2012| url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19791511| accessdate=1 October 2012}}</ref> Hulse played 15 times for Charlton, with 10 starts and 3 goals. After returning to QPR in January, he went out on loan again on 29 January 2013, to another Championship club in [[Millwall F.C.|Millwall]] until the end of the season.<ref>{{cite news|title=Rob Hulse: Millwall sign QPR striker on loan|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21244422|work=BBC Sport |publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation
Hulse was not given a squad number for the [[2012–13 Queens Park Rangers F.C. season|2012–13]] season and was told he was available for transfer as he was left out of the pre-season tour to Asia,<ref name="snub">{{Cite news|title=QPR man defiant despite tour snub|url=http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/qpr-man-defiant-despite-tour-5975650|publisher=Fulham Chronicle|date=18 July 2012}}</ref> Hulse said he'd let his contract run, which expires in June 2013.<ref name="snub"/> Despite this, Hulse joined fellow London side [[Charlton Athletic F.C.|Charlton Athletic]] on loan for three months on 1 October 2012.<ref name="CharltonLoan">{{cite news| title=QPR's Rob Hulse joins Charlton Athletic on loan deal| publisher=BBC Sport| date=1 October 2012| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19791511| access-date=1 October 2012}}</ref> Hulse played 15 times for Charlton, with 10 starts and 3 goals. After returning to QPR in January, he went out on loan again on 29 January 2013, to another Championship club in [[Millwall F.C.|Millwall]] until the end of the season.<ref>{{cite news|title=Rob Hulse: Millwall sign QPR striker on loan|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21244422|publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=29 January 2013|date=29 January 2013}}</ref> His loan at Millwall was cut short on 26 April. He announced his retirement from football in October 2013, with the intention to move into physiotherapy.<ref>{{cite news|title=QPR's Rob Hulse quits football to be a physiotherapist|url=http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/437028/QPR-s-Rob-Hulse-quits-football-to-be-a-physiotherapist|work=Daily Express|location=
|access-date=23 September 2014|date=16 October 2013}}</ref>
|accessdate=29 January 2013|date=29 January 2013}}</ref> His loan at Millwall was cut short on 26 April. He announced his retirement from football in October 2013, with the intention to move into physiotherapy.<ref>{{cite news|title=QPR's Rob Hulse quits football to be a physiotherapist|url=http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/437028/QPR-s-Rob-Hulse-quits-football-to-be-a-physiotherapist|work=Express|publisher=Daily Express
|accessdate=23 September 2014|date=16 October 2013}}</ref> He is studying a physiotherapy degree at the [[University of Salford]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Footballers funded to train as physios|url=http://www.csp.org.uk/news/2013/10/21/footballers-funded-train-physios|work=|publisher=Chartered Society of Physiotherapy|accessdate=23 September 2014|date=21 October 2013}}</ref>


==Career statistics==
==After football==
He studied for a physiotherapy degree at the [[University of Salford]],<ref>{{cite news|title=Footballers funded to train as physios|url=http://www.csp.org.uk/news/2013/10/21/footballers-funded-train-physios|publisher=Chartered Society of Physiotherapy|access-date=23 September 2014|date=21 October 2013}}</ref> graduating in summer 2017,<ref>{{cite news|title=Professional footballers graduate as physiotherapists|url=http://www.salford.ac.uk/news/articles/2017/professional-footballers-graduate-as-physiotherapists|publisher=University of Salford|access-date=20 August 2017|date=19 July 2017}}</ref> and took a job at [[Russells Hall Hospital]] in [[Dudley]].<ref>{{cite news |first=Sam |last=Cunningham |url=https://inews.co.uk/sport/football/rob-hulse-nhs-physio/ |title=Rob Hulse: From Premier League target man to working for the NHS |website=iNews |date=16 February 2018 |access-date=17 February 2018 }}</ref>
{{updated|5 May 2013}}


==Career statistics==
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
|-
|-
!rowspan=2|Season
!rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan=2|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season
!colspan="3"|League
!rowspan=2|Division
!colspan=2|League
!colspan="2"|[[FA Cup]]
!colspan=2|[[FA Cup]]
!colspan="2"|[[EFL Cup|League Cup]]
!colspan=2|[[Football League Cup|League Cup]]
!colspan="2"|Other
!colspan="2"|Total
!colspan=2|Other<ref>Includes other competitive competitions, including the [[Football League Trophy]] & the [[Football League play-offs|play-offs]]</ref>
!colspan=2|Total
|-
|-
!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals
!Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|-
|[[1999–2000 Crewe Alexandra F.C. season|1999–2000]]
|rowspan="5"|[[Crewe Alexandra F.C.|Crewe Alexandra]]
|[[1999–2000 Crewe Alexandra F.C. season|1999–2000]]<ref name="sb9900">{{soccerbase season|17994|1999|access-date=31 January 2021}}</ref>
|rowspan=4|[[Crewe Alexandra F.C.|Crewe Alexandra]]
|rowspan=3|[[Football League First Division|First Division]]
|[[Football League First Division|First Division]]
|4||1||colspan=2|||colspan=2|||colspan=2|—||4||1
|4||1||0||0||0||0|| colspan="2" |—||4||1
|-
|-
|[[2000–01 Crewe Alexandra F.C. season|2000–01]]
|[[2000–01 Crewe Alexandra F.C. season|2000–01]]<ref name="sb0001">{{soccerbase season|17994|2000|access-date=31 January 2021}}</ref>
|First Division
|33||11||2||0||3||0||colspan=2|—||38||11
|33||11||2||0||3||0|| colspan="2" |—||38||11
|-
|-
|[[2001–02 Crewe Alexandra F.C. season|2001–02]]<ref name="sb0102">{{soccerbase season|17994|2001|access-date=31 January 2021}}</ref>
|[[2001–02 Football League|2001–02]]
|First Division
|41||11||3||0||3||1||colspan=2|—||47||12
|41||11||3||0||3||1|| colspan="2" |—||47||12
|-
|-
|[[2002–03 Crewe Alexandra F.C. season|2002–03]]<ref name="sb0203">{{soccerbase season|17994|2002|access-date=31 January 2021}}</ref>
|[[2002–03 Football League|2002–03]]
|[[Football League Second Division|Second Division]]
|[[Football League Second Division|Second Division]]
|38||22||1||0||1||1||2||4||42||27
|38||22||1||0||1||1||2{{Efn|Appearance(s) in [[Football League Trophy]]}}||4||42||27
|-
|-
! colspan=3|Crewe Alexandra total
!colspan="2"|Total
!116!!45!!6!!0!!7!!2!!2!!4!!131!!51
!116!!45!!6!!0!!7!!2!!2!!4!!131!!51
|-
|-
|[[Hyde United F.C.|Hyde United]] (loan)
|[[2003–04 West Bromwich Albion F.C. season|2003–04]]
|[[1999–2000 Northern Premier League|1999–2000]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=List of all games featuring Rob Hulse |url=http://www.hydeunited.com/playergames.php?id=140 |access-date=2023-10-09 |website=www.hydeunited.com}}</ref>
|rowspan=2|[[West Bromwich Albion F.C.|West Bromwich Albion]]
|rowspan=1|[[Football League First Division|First Division]]
|[[Northern Premier League]] Premier Division
|8
|33||10||1||0||5||3||colspan=2|—||39||13
|9
|0
|0
| colspan="2" |—
|3{{Efn|Two appearance(s) in [[FA Trophy]], one appearance in [[Northern Premier League Challenge Cup]]}}
|0
|11
|9
|-
| rowspan="3" |[[West Bromwich Albion F.C.|West Bromwich Albion]]
|[[2003–04 West Bromwich Albion F.C. season|2003–04]]<ref name="sb0304">{{soccerbase season|17994|2003|access-date=31 January 2021}}</ref>
|First Division
|33||10||1||0||5||3|| colspan="2" |—||39||13
|-
|-
|[[2004–05 West Bromwich Albion F.C. season|2004–05]]
|[[2004–05 West Bromwich Albion F.C. season|2004–05]]<ref name="sb0405">{{soccerbase season|17994|2004|access-date=31 January 2021}}</ref>
|[[Premier League]]
|[[Premier League]]
|5||0||1||0||1||0||colspan=2|—||7||0
|5||0||1||0||1||0|| colspan="2" |—||7||0
|-
|-
! colspan=3|West Bromwich Albion total
! colspan="2" |Total
!38!!10!!2!!0!!6!!3!!0!!0!!46!!13
!38!!10!!2!!0!!6!!3!! colspan="2" |—!!46!!13
|-
|-
|[[2004–05 Leeds United A.F.C. season|2004–05]]
| rowspan="3" |[[Leeds United F.C.|Leeds United]]
|rowspan=2|[[Leeds United F.C.|Leeds United]]
|[[2004–05 Leeds United A.F.C. season|2004–05]]<ref name="sb0405" />
|rowspan=2|[[Football League Championship|Championship]]
|[[Football League Championship|Championship]]
|13||6||colspan=2|||colspan=2|||colspan=2|—||13||6
|13||6||0||0||0||0|| colspan="2" |—||13||6
|-
|-
|[[2005–06 Leeds United A.F.C. season|2005–06]]
|[[2005–06 Leeds United A.F.C. season|2005–06]]<ref name="sb0506">{{soccerbase season|17994|2005|access-date=31 January 2021}}</ref>
|Championship
|39||12||2||1||2||0||3||1||46||14
|39||12||2||1||2||0||3{{Efn|Appearance(s) in [[EFL Championship play-offs|Championship play-offs]]}}||1||46||14
|-
|-
! colspan=3|Leeds United total
!colspan="2"|Total
!52!!18!!2!!1!!2!!0!!3!!1!!59!!20
!52!!18!!2!!1!!2!!0!!3!!1!!59!!20
|-
|-
|[[2006–07 Sheffield United F.C. season|2006–07]]
|rowspan="3"|[[Sheffield United F.C.|Sheffield United]]
|[[2006–07 Sheffield United F.C. season|2006–07]]<ref name="sb0607">{{soccerbase season|17994|2006|access-date=31 January 2021}}</ref>
|rowspan=2|[[Sheffield United F.C.|Sheffield United]]
|rowspan=1|[[Premier League]]
|Premier League
|29||8||colspan=2|||colspan=2|||colspan=2|—||29||8
|29||8||0||0||0||0|| colspan="2" |—||29||8
|-
|-
|[[2007–08 Sheffield United F.C. season|2007–08]]
|[[2007–08 Sheffield United F.C. season|2007–08]]<ref name="sb0708">{{soccerbase season|17994|2007|access-date=31 January 2021}}</ref>
|rowspan=1|[[Football League Championship|Championship]]
|rowspan=1|Championship
|21||0||3||0||colspan=2|||colspan=2|—||24||0
|21||0||3||0||0||0|| colspan="2" |—||24||0
|-
|-
! colspan=3|Sheffield United total
!colspan="2"|Total
!50!!8!!3!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!53!!8
!50!!8!!3!!0!!0!!0!! colspan="2" |—!!53!!8
|-
|-
|[[2008–09 Derby County F.C. season|2008–09]]
|rowspan="4"|[[Derby County F.C.|Derby County]]
|[[2008–09 Derby County F.C. season|2008–09]]<ref name="sb0809">{{soccerbase season|17994|2008|access-date=31 January 2021}}</ref>
|rowspan=3|[[Derby County F.C.|Derby County]]
|rowspan=3|[[Football League Championship|Championship]]
|Championship
|44||15||4||3||6||0||colspan=2|—||54||18
|44||15||4||3||6||0|| colspan="2" |—||54||18
|-
|-
|[[2009–10 Derby County F.C. season|2009–10]]
|[[2009–10 Derby County F.C. season|2009–10]]<ref name="sb0910">{{soccerbase season|17994|2009|access-date=31 January 2021}}</ref>
|Championship
|37||12||3||0||colspan=2|||colspan=2|—||40||12
|37||12||3||0||0||0|| colspan="2" |||40||12
|-
|-
|[[2010–11 Derby County F.C. season|2010–11]]
|[[2010–11 Derby County F.C. season|2010–11]]<ref name="sb1011">{{soccerbase season|17994|2010|access-date=31 January 2021}}</ref>
|Championship
|1||1||colspan=2|||1||0||colspan=2|—||2||1
|1||1||0||0||1||0|| colspan="2" |—||2||1
|-
|-
! colspan=3|Derby County total
!colspan="2"|Total
!82!!28!!7!!3!!7!!0!!0!!0!!96!!31
!82!!28!!7!!3!!7!!0!! colspan="2" |—!!96!!31
|-
|-
|[[2010–11 Queens Park Rangers F.C. season|2010–11]]
|rowspan="4"|[[Queens Park Rangers F.C.|Queens Park Rangers]]
|rowspan=3|[[Queens Park Rangers F.C.|Queens Park Rangers]]
|[[2010–11 Queens Park Rangers F.C. season|2010–11]]<ref name="sb1011" />
|rowspan=1|[[Football League Championship|Championship]]
|Championship
|21||2||1||0||colspan=2|||colspan=2|—||22||2
|21||2||1||0||0||0|| colspan="2" |—||22||2
|-
|-
|[[2011–12 Queens Park Rangers F.C. season|2011–12]]
|[[2011–12 Queens Park Rangers F.C. season|2011–12]]<ref name="sb1112">{{soccerbase season|17994|2011|access-date=31 January 2021}}</ref>
|rowspan=2|[[Premier League]]
|Premier League
|2||0||1||0||colspan=2|||colspan=2|—||3||0
|2||0||1||0||0||0|| colspan="2" |—||3||0
|-
|-
|[[2012–13 Queens Park Rangers F.C. season|2012–13]]
|[[2012–13 Queens Park Rangers F.C. season|2012–13]]<ref name="sb1213">{{soccerbase season|17994|2012|access-date=31 January 2021}}</ref>
|Premier League
|colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—
|0||0||0||0||0||0|| colspan="2" |—||0||0
|-
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
|[[2012–13 Charlton Athletic F.C. season|2012–13]]
!23!!2!!2!!0!!0!!0!! colspan="2" |—!!25!!2
|rowspan=1|[[Charlton Athletic F.C.|Charlton Athletic]] (loan)
|rowspan=2|[[Football League Championship|Championship]]
|15||3||colspan=2|||colspan=2|||colspan=2|—||15||3
|-
|-
|[[Charlton Athletic F.C.|Charlton Athletic]] (loan)
|[[2012–13 Millwall F.C. season|2012–13]]
|[[2012–13 Charlton Athletic F.C. season|2012–13]]<ref name="sb1213" />
|rowspan=1|[[Millwall F.C.|Millwall]] (loan)
|Championship
|11||0||4||1||colspan=2|||colspan=2|—||15||1
|15||3||0||0||0||0|| colspan="2" |—||15||3
|-
|-
|[[Millwall F.C.|Millwall]] (loan)
! colspan=3|Queens Park Rangers total
|[[2012–13 Millwall F.C. season|2012–13]]<ref name="sb1213" />
!23!!2!!2!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!25!!2
|Championship
|11||0||4||1||0||0|| colspan="2" |—||15||1
|-
|-
!colspan=3|Career Total
!colspan="3"|Career total
!387!!114!!26!!5!!22!!5!!5!!5!!441!!129
!395!!123!!26!!5!!22!!5!!8!!5!!451!!138
|}
|}
{{notelist}}


==Honours==
==Honours==
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==References==
==References==
{{reflist|2}}
{{reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
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[[Category:1979 births]]
[[Category:1979 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Crewe]]
[[Category:Footballers from Crewe]]
[[Category:English footballers]]
[[Category:English men's footballers]]
[[Category:Association football forwards]]
[[Category:Men's association football forwards]]
[[Category:Crewe Alexandra F.C. players]]
[[Category:Crewe Alexandra F.C. players]]
[[Category:Hyde United F.C. players]]
[[Category:Hyde United F.C. players]]
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[[Category:Premier League players]]
[[Category:Premier League players]]
[[Category:English Football League players]]
[[Category:English Football League players]]
[[Category:People associated with the University of Salford]]
[[Category:Alumni of the University of Salford]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Cheshire]]

Latest revision as of 16:48, 28 February 2024

Rob Hulse
Rob Hulse with Leeds United
Personal information
Full name Robert William Hulse[1]
Date of birth (1979-10-25) 25 October 1979 (age 44)
Place of birth Crewe, England
Height 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in)[2]
Position(s) Striker
Youth career
1989–1998 Crewe Alexandra
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1998–2003 Crewe Alexandra 116 (45)
1999–2000Hyde United (loan) 8 (9)
2003–2005 West Bromwich Albion 38 (10)
2005Leeds United (loan) 13 (6)
2005–2006 Leeds United 39 (12)
2006–2008 Sheffield United 50 (8)
2008–2010 Derby County 82 (28)
2010–2013 Queens Park Rangers 23 (2)
2012–2013Charlton Athletic (loan) 15 (3)
2013Millwall (loan) 11 (0)
Total 395 (123)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Robert William Hulse (born 25 October 1979) is an English former footballer who played as a striker.

He had primarily spent his career at second tier level, playing there with Crewe Alexandra, West Bromwich Albion, Leeds United, Sheffield United, Derby County, Queens Park Rangers and Charlton Athletic. He has won promotion on three occasions twice to the top flight and had his most notable spell in the Premier League with Sheffield United, where he finished as the club's top scorer in the 2006–07 season, despite his season finishing early due to injury. He scored his 100th career league goal with a penalty against Sheffield Wednesday for Derby on 3 October 2009. Hulse was a part of QPR's Championship winning team in the 2010–11 season.

Career[edit]

Crewe Alexandra[edit]

Born in Crewe, Cheshire, Hulse began his career at Crewe Alexandra, having been part of the club's youth system since he was nine years old. A sudden spurt in height during his late teens left Hulse with a serious back injury, sidelining him for 12 months. When Hulse returned to fitness, he was given a three-month loan to then-Northern Premier League side Hyde United, where he scored 9 goals in 11 appearances during the 1999–2000 season.[3] The successful loan spell led to Hulse's first team debut for Crewe, in their 1–0 win over Norwich City. It took Hulse a further three appearances to score his first goal for the club, which was in the club's 2–0 away win over Barnsley.

Hulse quickly became a fans' favourite at Crewe, thanks to his high work-rate and finishing the 2000–01 and 2001–02 seasons as the club's top goalscorer with 11 and 12 goals respectively. The club were relegated at the end of the 2001–02 season, but Hulse, along with Dean Ashton and Rodney Jack, proved to be too much for fellow Division Two defences to handle in 2002–03. Hulse finished as the club's top goalscorer for the third season in succession, scoring 23 goals. His performances during the season earned him the club's Player of the Year award, as well as appearing in the PFA Division Two Team of the Year.[4]

Despite Crewe's promotion back to Division One, Hulse rejected a new contract and manager Dario Gradi decided to sell him instead of letting him go on a Bosman.[5] A whole host of clubs were interested in Hulse. Fellow promoted club Cardiff City were close to signing Hulse for a fee believed to be in a region of £750,000, but Hulse did not wish to sign for the Blue Birds.[6]

West Bromwich Albion[edit]

West Bromwich Albion signed Hulse for a fee of £750,000.[7] He made his debut for West Brom in their 4–1 opening day defeat at Walsall, and scored his first goal for the club in a 4–0 home win over Brentford in the League Cup 1st Round. Hulse played a prominent role in the first team before suffering a stomach during the Christmas period. He scored two goals in a 4-3 win against West Ham at the Boleyn Ground in November, which saw Albion come back from 3-0 down. After recovering from this injury, Hulse made a further 19 appearances and finished the season as the club's top scorer in all competitions with 13 goals, helping Albion secure promotion back to the Premier League.

Despite his influential role in the previous year's promotion campaign, Hulse was given little chance to prove himself in the top flight and was largely kept out of the first team by summer signings Robert Earnshaw and Nwankwo Kanu. Hulse only played seven games for West Brom during the 2004–05 season, scoring no goals.

Leeds United[edit]

Having played a relatively small number of games in comparison to his fellow strikers at West Brom, Hulse decided to join Leeds United on loan for the final three months of the 2004–05 campaign instead of a £1.2 million switch to Stoke City.[8] His debut was spectacular, scoring two individual goals struck from outside the box against Reading.

The success of the loan spell led to a £1.1 million transfer to Leeds.[9] Hulse scored 20 goals in 51 games. He was the club's top scorer with 14 goals in the 2005–06 season despite being in competition with several forwards including Robbie Blake, David Healy and Richard Cresswell for a place in the side as well as playing with an ankle injury during the start of the season.[10]

Sheffield United[edit]

With Leeds failing to gain promotion to the FA Premier League, Hulse's ambition led elsewhere and in July 2006, Leeds accepted a bid of £2.2 million from Sheffield United although the fee could have risen to £3 million,[11] beating Norwich to Hulse's signature.[12] Hulse scored on his debut for the club against Liverpool; scoring the first goal of the 2006–07 FA Premier League season,[13] although Liverpool managed to equalise through a Robbie Fowler penalty. He went on to be the club's top scorer for the season, netting regularly until March.

On 17 March, Hulse and Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Čech challenged for the ball in a league game at Stamford Bridge, resulting in a horrific injury. Hulse almost turned in a low Keith Gillespie cross but Čech raced out to smother his effort and in the collision Hulse's ankle appeared to snap beneath him. After a five-minute delay Hulse was carried off on a stretcher and taken to hospital with what was thought to be a double fracture.[14] On 20 March, it was confirmed that Hulse had fractured his left leg in two places, for which he underwent surgery.[15] His season over, he still finished up as United's top scorer in the Premier League with eight league goals.

Hulse eventually returned to the first team in December 2007 after 9 months out,[16] but despite making 24 appearances for the Blades over the course of that season he was unable to find full fitness and failed to score a goal ending his Blades career on a disappointing note.

Derby County[edit]

Following the end of the 2007–08 season, Hulse was strongly linked with a move away to United's Championship rivals Derby County. The deal was completed on 21 July 2008 for £1.75 million.[17] Five days later he scored on his unofficial debut for the club, a friendly match, against Mansfield Town.[18] Hulse made his competitive debut in a 1–0 home defeat to Doncaster Rovers on the opening day of the 2008–09 season.[19] His first league goal for Derby was the winner in a 2–1 victory over his former club Sheffield United in September 2008.[20] Hulse's form during October 2008, when he hit four goals in five games, saw him awarded the Championship Player of the Month award.[21] Hulse's goal against Charlton secured Derby's Championship status in the final home game of the season.[22] On the final day of the season, he played 90 minutes in an unfamiliar central defensive position.[23] Hulse won the Derby County Supporters' Player of the Year award,[24] the Players' Player of the Year Trophy[24] and finished the season as the club's top goalscorer, with 15 league goals, and 3 more in the FA Cup.

After a successful first season, Hulse was continually linked with a £3 million move to Derby's Championship rivals Middlesbrough.[25] Derby accepted a bid of £4 million on the final day of the 2009 summer transfer Window, but Hulse rejected the move, citing his fondness for club as the reason.[26] Injury disrupted the early part of the season, with Hulse not grabbing his first goal of the season until 15 November in a 3–2 home defeat to Barnsley before scoring his 100th league career goal with a 90th-minute penalty in a 3–0 win over Sheffield Wednesday and earning a place in the Championship Team of the Week.[27] Hulse earned his second Team of the Week slot after scoring two goals in a 2–1 win over Coventry City on 7 November 2009[28] before hitting the winner against relegation rivals Reading on 28 November 2009 to take his tally to six for the season. However, this proved to be his last goal for two months as injury saw him dropped to the bench.

The January transfer window saw Hulse again linked with moves away from the club, with Wolverhampton Wanderers interested to the tune of £3 million, but the only concrete moves came in the form of loan bids from Premier League Burnley and Stoke City, both of which were rejected.[29] Hulse reclaimed his place in the team towards the end of January 2010 and scored a 78th-minute winner against Nottingham Forest in the 85th East Midlands derby to end Forest's 19 match unbeaten run. This sparked a run of form for Hulse, who netted three times in his next three matches, scoring the first in a 3–0 win over league leaders Newcastle United and netting a double in a 5–3 victory over Preston North End, taking his tally to 10 for the season. A combination of injuries and Derby's struggling form saw Hulse grab just two more goals before surgery ruled him out for the remainder of the campaign.[30] His finishing total of 12 goals saw him finish as Derby's top scorer for the second consecutive campaign.

Entering the final year of his contract, and with cost-cutting Derby unwilling to match his current contract, Burnley and Queens Park Rangers both made official enquiries about Hulse, whom Derby valued at £1.5 million.[31] Leeds United also expressed an interest in re-signing Hulse, with Derby coach Gary Crosby stating "As much as we'd like to keep Rob, financially, we will maybe look to sell him."[32] However, CEO Tom Glick later dismissed any financial need to sell the striker.[33] He was later linked with a possible return to the top flight with a £1 million move to newly promoted Blackpool, though his wage was suggested to be a stumbling block.[34] Despite speculation over his future, Hulse played a part in Derby's pre-season fixtures and scored in a 1–1 draw with Southend United. Hulse started the 2010–11 campaign with the opening goal in a 2–1 victory at previous club Leeds United but was again consistently linked with a move away from the club, this time to Cardiff City, this time with the possibility of a cash-plus-Ross McCormack deal[35] (although McCormack later joined Leeds United)[36] and Queens Park Rangers.

Queens Park Rangers[edit]

On 31 August 2010, Derby accepted a bid from Queens Park Rangers for an undisclosed fee, which was speculated be in the region of £500,000.[37] the transfer however didn't go through until 3 September 2010, due to issues over the timing of paper work ahead of the 18:00 hrs deadline.[37] Hulse rejoined manager Neil Warnock who he played under at Sheffield United.[37] Hulse made his QPR debut on 22 October 2010 in a 1–1 draw at Bristol City, his debut was delayed due to an achilles tendon injury.[38] Hulse played 22 times, during the 2010–11 season, scoring twice[39] as QPR won the Championship title and secured a return to the top flight for the first time in the club's history since the 1995–96 season.

In June 2011, ahead of the 2011–12 season, Hulse turned down a loan move to Millwall, stating a desire to break into the QPR first team.[39] However he was then left out of Queens Park Rangers 25-man squad for the Premier League season 2011–12 by Neil Warnock and in November 2011 was linked with a loan moves to Championship clubs Doncaster Rovers,[40] Blackpool,[41] however Hulse stayed at Rangers and after Warnock was sacked in January 2012, Mark Hughes the new manager chose Rob Hulse to be in a 25-man squad.[42] Hulse made his first appearance of the season, against Aston Villa. Hulse made two further appearances once in the FA Cup and once more in the Premier League.

Hulse was not given a squad number for the 2012–13 season and was told he was available for transfer as he was left out of the pre-season tour to Asia,[43] Hulse said he'd let his contract run, which expires in June 2013.[43] Despite this, Hulse joined fellow London side Charlton Athletic on loan for three months on 1 October 2012.[44] Hulse played 15 times for Charlton, with 10 starts and 3 goals. After returning to QPR in January, he went out on loan again on 29 January 2013, to another Championship club in Millwall until the end of the season.[45] His loan at Millwall was cut short on 26 April. He announced his retirement from football in October 2013, with the intention to move into physiotherapy.[46]

After football[edit]

He studied for a physiotherapy degree at the University of Salford,[47] graduating in summer 2017,[48] and took a job at Russells Hall Hospital in Dudley.[49]

Career statistics[edit]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Crewe Alexandra 1999–2000[50] First Division 4 1 0 0 0 0 4 1
2000–01[51] First Division 33 11 2 0 3 0 38 11
2001–02[52] First Division 41 11 3 0 3 1 47 12
2002–03[53] Second Division 38 22 1 0 1 1 2[a] 4 42 27
Total 116 45 6 0 7 2 2 4 131 51
Hyde United (loan) 1999–2000[54] Northern Premier League Premier Division 8 9 0 0 3[b] 0 11 9
West Bromwich Albion 2003–04[55] First Division 33 10 1 0 5 3 39 13
2004–05[56] Premier League 5 0 1 0 1 0 7 0
Total 38 10 2 0 6 3 46 13
Leeds United 2004–05[56] Championship 13 6 0 0 0 0 13 6
2005–06[57] Championship 39 12 2 1 2 0 3[c] 1 46 14
Total 52 18 2 1 2 0 3 1 59 20
Sheffield United 2006–07[58] Premier League 29 8 0 0 0 0 29 8
2007–08[59] Championship 21 0 3 0 0 0 24 0
Total 50 8 3 0 0 0 53 8
Derby County 2008–09[60] Championship 44 15 4 3 6 0 54 18
2009–10[61] Championship 37 12 3 0 0 0 40 12
2010–11[62] Championship 1 1 0 0 1 0 2 1
Total 82 28 7 3 7 0 96 31
Queens Park Rangers 2010–11[62] Championship 21 2 1 0 0 0 22 2
2011–12[63] Premier League 2 0 1 0 0 0 3 0
2012–13[64] Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 23 2 2 0 0 0 25 2
Charlton Athletic (loan) 2012–13[64] Championship 15 3 0 0 0 0 15 3
Millwall (loan) 2012–13[64] Championship 11 0 4 1 0 0 15 1
Career total 395 123 26 5 22 5 8 5 451 138
  1. ^ Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy
  2. ^ Two appearance(s) in FA Trophy, one appearance in Northern Premier League Challenge Cup
  3. ^ Appearance(s) in Championship play-offs

Honours[edit]

Club[edit]

Queens Park Rangers

Individual[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2009). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2009–10. Edinburgh: Mainstream Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84596-474-0.
  2. ^ "Rob Hulse – Player Profile". web page. Sky Sports. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
  3. ^ "Rob Hulse: Blade runner". The Independent. London. 23 December 2006. Retrieved 2 May 2009.
  4. ^ "Wigan dominate PFA team". BBC Sport. 28 April 2003. Retrieved 9 October 2008.
  5. ^ "Crewe transfer-list Hulse" BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 December 2006
  6. ^ "Hulse snubs Cardiff" BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 December 2006
  7. ^ "Baggies bag duo" BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 December 2006
  8. ^ "Hulse completes Leeds loan switch" BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 December 2006
  9. ^ "Leeds sign Baggies striker Hulse" BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 December 2006
  10. ^ "Blackwell tribute to 'hero' Hulse" BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 December 2006
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External links[edit]

Awards and achievements
Preceded by Derby County top goalscorer
2008–09, 2009–10
Succeeded by