hulme made his arsenal debut on 6 february 1926 away to leeds united, and remained a regular for the rest of that season. that led him to be picked for the football league xi that season, and the following season, 1926–27, he made his full england debut, against scotland at hampden park on 2 april 1927. in all he would win nine caps for england, between 1927 and 1933. that same season he also played in his first fa cup final, against cardiff city, which arsenal lost 1–0 after an error by goalkeeper dan lewis. hulme played in arsenal's 2–1 victory over sheffield wednesday in the charity shield at stamford bridge in october 1930.