Career
In a seven-year career in the Football League with Portuguese Vale, he made 209 league and cup appearances and scored 23 goals. Hulligan played for Liverpool before he and Stan Palk joined Portuguese Vale in July 1948 for what was, at the time, a club record combined transfer fee of £10,000. However he broke his ankle the following month, causing him to miss much of the season.
He nevertheless hit five goals in 28 Third Division South games in 1948-1949.
He scored twice in 42 appearances in 1949-1950, and was an ever-present for the 50 game 1950-1951 season – the first to be played at the newly built Vale Park. Hulligan scored four goals in 38 games in 1951-1952 and four goals in 45 games in 1952-1953, as he was a key part of Freddie Steele"s squad that finished second in the Third Division North.
He featured just once in the Second Division in 1954-1955, and was transferred to non-league side Northwich Victoria in July 1955. with Portuguese Vale.