Chasing success is something James Bulkeley has been doing since the start of his career. At just 19 years old, his journey has already taken him across three continents and five countries.
James joined North Texas SC as one of the new faces ahead of the 2025 season. He previously spent two years playing professionally in the United Arab Emirates' top-flight league for Fleetwood United Football Club and Gulf United FC. North Texas SC's brain trust knew they were signing a yougn player with loads of experience.
“I was 17 or 18 when I signed my first contract with Fleetwood United F.C. in the UAE, and then I transferred to Gulf United FC,” James said. “With Gulf United FC, I got to play against Al-Ittihad Club, which has players like (Karim) Benzema, (N’Golo) Kanté, and (Steven) Bergwijn. It was a surreal experience and one I won’t forget.”
Last summer, James made his international debut, representing his home country, New Zealand at the U20 level. The Youth All Whites participated in the U19 Oceania Football Confederation Championship last July, with the goal of qualifying for the 2025 FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile. New Zealand cruised through the tournament, and James scored in the final to help secure a 4-0 victory. His international experience is yet another testament to his growing resume.
“It was a surreal experience putting on the New Zealand kit for my national team debut. It was a proud moment I will never forget,” James recalled. “I was selected to play in the U20 World Cup qualifiers. We were in Samoa for three weeks, and we won the tournament. I was lucky enough to have my parents there watching this huge milestone in my career.”
The Napier, New Zealand native arrived late to preseason, but once settled, he quickly began preparing for the season ahead. After weeks of training, James made his debut against Whitecaps FC 2, but unfortunately it was cut short by an injury. Despite the setback, his spirits remain high.
“I’ve been enjoying my time here at the club and in Dallas. Everyone at the club has been very welcoming. It’s been a rough start to the season for me after picking up an ankle injury, but I am ready to get back out there.”
During his recovery, he was comforted by the support of his parents, who flew in from Sydney, Australia to support their son.
“It was very good to see them here. It was just unfortunate that I was out with an injury during that time. Regardless, they still got to enjoy their time in Texas. We did a lot of sightseeing in Dallas and Fort Worth, and they enjoyed watching two of our home games,” James said.
James returned to the matchday squad for the recent game against MNUFC2, his first appearance on the bench since his injury. Now, he’s eager to get back on the pitch and contribute to the team.
“Right now, I want to get into top fitness so I can show what I can bring to the team. I want to help the team as much as I can in every game. We have a really good team with quality players, and I think we can go far. The first goal is to make the playoffs, and after that, we hope to win another title for the club.”
