The FA fined and suspended long-serving Town kitman James Pullen after he admitted to placing 867 bets on football events over six years.
Former keeper Pullen, who we understand has now left the club after being suspended, was charged with misconduct under FA Rule E1.2 on May 14th of this year for 867 bets placed on football between March 30th, 2018 and March 13th, 2024, with each bet a separate violation of FA Rule E8, which prohibits anyone working for a club from betting on football.
Pullen pleaded guilty at a paper hearing via Microsoft Teams, and an independent regulatory panel issued a three-month suspension from all football and football-related activity, which was extended until the end of the 2025/26 season, as well as a £750 fine.
The majority of the bets were accumulators, with 120 of 126 featuring Town. None of the bets involving the Blues projected a defeat, but three were on draws, which concerned the commission and worsened the offense, although being on the lower end of the spectrum.
There was one spot bet involving Town: a £5 losing bet on a Blues player scoring a hat-trick against Rochdale on January 3rd, 2021.
Almost all of the bets were for tiny sums, totaling £1,400.79 for the period, with gains of £792.67 and losses of £608.12. At the hearing, Pullen and his lawyer compared the betting activity to “two-pence slot games”.
Pullen, 42, of Chelmsford, admitted guilt as soon as feasible, accepted responsibility for placing the bets, apologized, and completely cooperated with the Football Association. The FA’s case contained no evidence of insider knowledge or anything comparable.
He was found to have demonstrated genuine contrition and immediately discontinued his misbehavior, and the panel was unaware of any prior violations of the guidelines.
Pullen joined Town as a goalkeeper from Heybridge Swifts in September 1999 and has made two senior appearances.
He went on to play for Blackpool, Dagenham & Redbridge, Peterborough, Heybridge again, Hornchurch, Ebbsfleet, AFC Wimbledon, and Chelmsford.
He returned to Town in June 2013, initially as a first-team masseur before taking up the kitman position.
The FA’s formal reasoning may be seen here, and the Blues have stated that they would not comment on the situation.
