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Eggbert Nobacon 2:04 Fri May 19
Josh Cullen - Football League Young Player of the Month
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http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/39949132
You know as a footballer that the fans have taken to you when you get your own chant, but Bradford City's on-loan midfielder Josh Cullen has a pretty unique one.
Sung to the tune of "Achy Breaky Heart" by Billy Ray Cyrus, the 21-year-old is compared favourably to France legend Zinedine Zidane in the chorus by the Bantams faithful.
His form has not just been noticed on the terraces, as the Republic of Ireland Under-21 man has won the the EFL's Young Player of the Month award for April.
"It's nice to hear that from the stands, but the main thing is the result and playing for the team," Cullen, who is on loan at Bradford from West Ham, told BBC Sport.
"It's another one you dream of, a bit of a surreal feeling as a young player hearing it.
"It is a good feeling but I think you've got to try to blank that out as much as possible - obviously you appreciate the support, but when it comes to business you focus about what is happening on the pitch.
"It's obviously a bit far to say I'm better than Zidane, but it's a good feeling to have that support from the fans and I can only say thank you to them."
After joining Bradford on loan towards the end of last season, Cullen has spent the whole of 2016-17 with the League One club.
Southend-born Cullen has played 45 times, including scoring his first, and only so far, professional goal against MK Dons.
"I can't thank everyone at the club and the surrounding area enough to make me feel welcome and making sure that everything is ok with me on and off the pitch," he added.
"It's the first time I've been away from home for a long period of time and it's been brilliant."
His final appearance for Bradford before returning to the Premier League club for pre-season will be the League One play-off final against Millwall at Wembley on Saturday.
The Bantams, who lost at the the semi-final stage to the Lions last season, are looking to return to second-tier football for the first time since 2004.
"It would be silly of me to say this is not a massive game - probably one of the biggest in my career to date," he said.
"I'm looking forward to the occasion without getting too carried away - you've got the play the game and treat it as a normal game. If we do that, hopefully we won't go too far wrong.
"When you're a young lad running around in the garden it's one of the stadiums you dream of playing at. It's the first time I've played there and hopefully the first of a few times."
Cullen made his debut for West Ham against FC Lusitans in the Europa League in July 2015 and made four outings for the Hammers, including one substitute appearance in the Premier League.
He played for England's youth teams growing up, but switched his allegiance to Republic of Ireland and has featured for their Under-18, Under-19 and Under-21 sides.
The boyhood West Ham fan wants to make his mark at his parent club, but would not rule out a return to West Yorkshire.
"At the minute my main focus is to get into the West Ham first team - that is what the whole loan has been about," added Cullen.
"The main goal for me, and my dream growing up, is to play for West Ham and that is still what I'm striving to achieve."
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Replies - In Chronological Order ( Show Newest Messages First)
penners28
2:08 Fri May 19
Re: Josh Cullen - Football League Young Player of the Month
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He should have won our young player award after that performance up at liverpool
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J.Riddle
2:14 Fri May 19
Re: Josh Cullen - Football League Young Player of the Month
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ha ha penners, he was only on the pitch 2 minutes, but looked unfazed by the occasion tbf. Will come good imho, time will tell.
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Alex V
2:21 Fri May 19
Re: Josh Cullen - Football League Young Player of the Month
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After Noble's poor season, maybe he should spend a year at Bradford - might help his progress.
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Takashi Miike
2:38 Fri May 19
Re: Josh Cullen - Football League Young Player of the Month
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he's a great lad, I hope he keeps improving
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Northern Sold
2:46 Fri May 19
Re: Josh Cullen - Football League Young Player of the Month
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`Southend-born Cullen`
Interesting ... I know a few Cullen's in the town... I'll have to see if they are related
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Kearley
2:49 Fri May 19
Re: Josh Cullen - Football League Young Player of the Month
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Don't worry penners, I got it.
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LeroysBoots
2:52 Fri May 19
Re: Josh Cullen - Football League Young Player of the Month
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Well done son
See you in 5 years time when you finally get your chance when Nobel retires
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LeroysBoots
2:52 Fri May 19
Re: Josh Cullen - Football League Young Player of the Month
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Noble even !
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Darby_
3:02 Fri May 19
Re: Josh Cullen - Football League Young Player of the Month
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Brutal stuff from Penners.
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AVOR
3:23 Fri May 19
Re: Josh Cullen - Football League Young Player of the Month
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Final V Millwall you say? Come on Josh you know what to do, last minute winner followed by the hammers sign in front of the pikeys!
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Buzz442
3:41 Fri May 19
Re: Josh Cullen - Football League Young Player of the Month
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Excellent news, really pleased for Josh, a nicer lad you could not wish to meet.
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terry-h
3:46 Fri May 19
Re: Josh Cullen - Football League Young Player of the Month
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Perhaps he will have to wait for Bilic to go before he gets his chance.
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Eggbert Nobacon
3:51 Fri May 19
Re: Josh Cullen - Football League Young Player of the Month
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peners
it was that called the bloke who said that!
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Mr Anon
3:51 Fri May 19
Re: Josh Cullen - Football League Young Player of the Month
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Hardly his own song though- he shares it with half the football league!
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Biggie Biggs
4:29 Fri May 19
Re: Josh Cullen - Football League Young Player of the Month
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won't be given a chance by Billic
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Eerie Descent
4:57 Fri May 19
Re: Josh Cullen - Football League Young Player of the Month
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"It's the first time I've been away from home for a long period of time and it's been brilliant."
V is having absolute kittens...
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,
5:48 Fri May 19
Re: Josh Cullen - Football League Young Player of the Month
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He sounds a sensible lad and the full season under his belt will stand him in good stead.
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Hermit Road
6:02 Fri May 19
Re: Josh Cullen - Football League Young Player of the Month
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Lionel Messi wouldn't have made it through to the first team at West Ham
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normannomates
7:06 Fri May 19
Re: Josh Cullen - Football League Young Player of the Month
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Fully deserved but should already be a regular in our first team squad.
Lucky we haven't lost him.
Hope he plays a blinder against Wall at the wknd
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Sir Alf
7:08 Fri May 19
Re: Josh Cullen - Football League Young Player of the Month
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I expect Bilic and co to put him out on loan again next season to totally convince him he has to move.
We will never know. Out of the recent line of youngsters he looks one of the better ones. Oxford may have got the hype but like when Joe Cole, Carrick and Lumpalard came through it was Cole getting the plaudits but the other 2 arguably achieved more?
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