The stakes were unmistakably higher in the pressure cooker of the Walkers Stadium the previous weekend in what was in effect a cup final – and a potentially watershed game in terms of the Owls' future – than in Sunday's home clash with Norwich.

And, in the final analysis, it was Wednesday's 3-1 success at Leicester more than anything which saved them from relegation at the expense of the Foxes, with the handsome 4-1 slaying of the Canaries mere icing on the cake.

Despite not being fully fit, veteran defender Bullen and fellow 30-something Steve Watson answered Brian Laws' call in his hour of need at Leicester and both played their part in arguably the Owls' biggest result for many a year.

While each succumbed to injury ultimately – Watson came off in Sunday's encounter with a groin problem – the physical pain for the old war horses would have been nothing compared to the stomach-churning anguish of relegation.

Bullen, whose claim that the Owls would save their season with victory at Leicester and the Canaries turned into glorious reality, said: "It was a magnificent performance from the lads against Norwich. We went through the long route again, after giving them a goal start.

"But we hit back and the lads were rewarded for the turnaround, which we have managed to do on many occasions this season to be honest."

He added: "Okay, it would have been a little bit nostalgic getting involved on Sunday. But, for me, Leicester was far more important.

"That was the game that saved our season. I'm sure Leicester looked at that as well, especially being the home team. And their fans saw it like that, with 31 or 32,000 turning out.

"We went down there and did the business.

I tipped us to win the last two games in a few interviews and luckily it came true. I just wish I'd had a few quid on it!"

The Scot's exit from the fray at the Foxes after a recurrence of a hamstring problem shortly before half-time represented an unfortunate end to his Owls career.

But given his devotion to the cause during his time in South Yorkshire, it was perhaps fitting that Bullen exited the stage after putting the team before self.

He said: "Getting injured again was always going to be a danger when I got involved in the Leicester game. It was the same for Steve Watson as well, He played against Leicester and then eventually his groin gave way in the Norwich game and we had to take him off.

"We were aware that the injuries had not fully healed and there was a chance they could go and cause problems. But we just wanted to play our part and help out."

After a fraught season when Wednesday have collectively had to don a hard hat and cope with a whole host of ills thrown at them in an at times tortuous campaign, clinching safety – in the cold light of day – is no mean achievement.

Everything that could possibly have gone wrong invariably has, with Bullen particularly pleased for boss Laws who has coped with having the world on his shoulders and still managed to come out smiling.
Bullen said: "In August, if anybody had said we'd have one game to save our season and stay in this league, we'd have been absolutely distraught at the outcome.

"But when you look at all the things that have gone wrong, such as the flooding, the poor start to the season, the chairman leaving and the injuries we've taken on, it's such a mixed bag and things were always going against us.

"So, in the end, it was a tremendous effort from the lads to stay up. The fans were with us all the way through because they realised exactly what was going on.
"We always had their backing 100 per cent all the way through and not many teams could have said that.

"It's fabulous for Brian. A lot of managers going to a decent-sized club and then taking them to the last day of the season and almost relegation would normally be sacked.

"But when you look at our situation financially, and with all the turmoil going on throughout the season, you can understand that Brian has kept his head and everybody united – both the fans and players.

"He's proved his worth and good luck to him. His reputation has been enhanced by what has happened this season, even though the club have only just escaped relegation."

Bullen's eyes are now focusing on the future following his release from Hillsborough with the evergreen defender – keen on carrying on his playing career – set to decide on his next destination shortly.

He said: "There's a lot of talking to be done with various people. I don't want to mention any names or I might get egg on my face! I've got offers, that's the main thing and that's all I was worried about.

"Obviously, it's disappointing that I'm leaving Wednesday after four years here. But I fully understand their reasons behind it.

"Brian said that if there was an opportunity to give me another year and there was another way to maybe get me on the coaching side, he would have done.

"But his hands were tied and he's made me fully aware of things since January, so it's not come out of the blue. I'm just happy my time has ended on a high note."