Striker James Bulman was in the Norwich City Under 15 squad that won the Northern Ireland Milk Cup in August 2001. At the time, he attended Thorpe St Andrew High School and had joined Norwich during the 2000/01 season.

Released by Norwich, James was offered a scholarship by Stoke City but this was rescinded due to their financial difficulties. In May 2003, he signed for Cambridge City's academy. He was released by Cambridge City in the summer of 2005 and joined Robert Taylor's Dereham Town. He switched to Norwich United at the end of January 2006 joining former Cambridge City players Adam Smith and Steve Shipley

In January 2007, James transferred to Thetford, making his debut in the 3-0 win over Gorleston. He was also registered with Attleborough in the Anglian Combination until he signed for Sherringham in the summer of 2007.