Alex Bruce (footballer born 1984)

For other people of the same name, see Alexander Bruce (disambiguation).
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Alex Bruce
Personal information
Full name Alex Stephen Bruce[1]
Date of birth (1984-09-28) 28 September 1984 (age 28)
Place of birth Norwich, England
Height 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Playing position Defender
Club information
Current club Hull City
Number 28
Youth career
000?–2001 Manchester United
2001–2004 Blackburn Rovers
Senior career*
Years Team Apps† (Gls)†
2004–2005 Blackburn Rovers 0 (0)
2004–2005 → Oldham Athletic (loan) 6 (0)
2005–2006 Birmingham City 6 (0)
2005 → Oldham Athletic (loan) 6 (0)
2005 → Sheffield Wednesday (loan) 6 (0)
2005 → Tranmere Rovers (loan) 11 (0)
2006–2010 Ipswich Town 115 (2)
2010 → Leicester City (loan) 3 (0)
2010–2012 Leeds United 29 (1)
2011 → Huddersfield Town (loan) 3 (0)
2012– Hull City 32 (0)
National team‡
2006 Republic of Ireland U21 5 (0)
2006 Republic of Ireland B 1 (0)
2007–2008 Republic of Ireland 2 (0)
2013– Northern Ireland 1 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 17:32, 6 April 2013 (UTC).

† Appearances (Goals).

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 23:11, 6 February 2013 (UTC)

Alex Stephen Bruce (born 28 September 1984) is a footballer who plays for Hull City as a defender. Whilst with Hull City he is also utilized as a holding Defensive Midfielder on occasion.

He is the son of Hull City manager and former Manchester United defender Steve Bruce. Born in England, Bruce has played for the Republic of Ireland at international level. In June 2011, the then Northern Ireland manager, Nigel Worthington confirmed he had held talks with Bruce in changing his international allegiance.

Club career

Early career

Bruce was born in Norwich, but moved to the Greater Manchester area at the age of three when his father was transferred from Norwich City to Manchester United. He joined the Manchester United Academy, but was released at age 16[2] and moved to Blackburn Rovers as a trainee. He signed his first professional contract there in 2002, and was part of their under-19 team which won the FA Premier Academy League in 2002–03.[3] He made his first team debut on 26 December 2004 against Hartlepool United, while on three months' loan to League One club Oldham Athletic, and was part of the Oldham team that beat Manchester City in the FA Cup on 8 January 2005.

He signed on a free transfer for Birmingham City, where his father was manager, on 27 January 2005.[4]

After finishing his loan spell at Oldham and returning to his parent club, he joined Sheffield Wednesday again on loan until the season's end, and was instrumental in their rise to the play-off places. Having impressed Tranmere Rovers boss Brian Little during Rovers' trip to Oldham, Little swooped for a loan deal which encompassed the first half of the 2005–06 season, but the loan was terminated early by mutual consent.[5][6]

Bruce made a few appearances for Birmingham following his return, including coming on as a substitute against Liverpool when Birmingham were getting heavily beaten. However, he could not stop the club being relegated to the Championship. It was felt that accusations of nepotism were hindering his progress, so it was decided that in the best interests of club, manager and player Bruce should pursue his career away from his father's management.[7][8]

Ipswich Town

In the summer of 2006, he moved to Ipswich Town on a free transfer, signing a three-year contract.[9]

After a very successful start to his Ipswich footballing career he managed to collect over 10 bookings this meant a suspension of 2 games for the player. Bruce became very popular to the Town fans thanks to his whole hearted display and never giving up attitude. He has been very versatile and has also been used as a defender successfully. It was due to these credentials that in early summer 2007 he was called up as an international player by the Republic of Ireland. His form continued and this led to scouts from Italian club ACF Fiorentina looking at the player in November 2008.[10]

Bruce scored his first goal for Ipswich, away to his former club Birmingham City, on 24 October. He ended speculation he would leave the club by signing a new two-year contract on 11 May, with the option of a further twelve months. He scored again in a 3–1 home defeat to Crystal Palace on 18 August 2009. On 27 August 2009, Bruce took over as captain following Gareth McAuley's poor form, but lost his place in the Ipswich starting eleven after falling out with manager Roy Keane.[citation needed]

Leicester City loan

Alex Bruce and Nolberto Solano playing for Leicester City on 12 May 2010

On 1 February 2010, Bruce joined Leicester City on loan for the rest of the 2009–10 season;[11] he jumped at the opportunity "for a change and a new challenge."[12] He made his debut as a substitute during injury time in a 2–1 win over Blackpool at Bloomfield Road on 7 February, playing for less than a minute.[13] Upon signing for Leicester he suffered a hernia injury which required surgery, the injury ruled him out for several weeks,[citation needed] and after recovering from the injury he returned to the Leicester starting line up partnering Jack Hobbs in central defence and was part of the Leicester side that lost the Championship play-off semi-final to Cardiff City on penalties after Yann Kermorgant missed a penalty for Leicester.[14] After the season finished Bruce was linked with a permanent move to Leicester after impressing during his loan spell,[citation needed] but the move failed to materialise and he returned to parent club Ipswich Town.

Leeds United

2010–11 season

In July 2010, a transfer to Sheffield United was discussed but not completed; press speculation suggested the clubs had failed to agree on how the £200,000 fee should be paid.[15] On 30 July, Bruce joined Championship club Leeds United for an undisclosed fee. He signed a two-year deal with an option for a further year.[16] After being an unused substitute in Leeds' first game of the season against Derby County, Bruce made his debut for Leeds in the Carling Cup against Lincoln City coming in for captain Richard Naylor. Bruce was named as an unused substitute in the following match against Nottingham Forest with captain Richard Naylor returning to the starting lineup. Bruce made his second start for Leeds in the next round of the League Cup when he played against his former club Leicester City.

Bruce made his League debut for Leeds in the game against Doncaster Rovers replacing underfire captain Richard Naylor, putting in an impressive performance and helping Leeds earn a clean sheet.[17] Bruce kept his place in the side for the following game against Sheffield United.[18] Bruce scored his first goal for Leeds on 28 September against Preston North End.[19] After Richard Naylor came back into the starting 11, Bruce was moved to right back against his former club Ipswich Town, Bruce was also sent off against Ipswich after picking up two yellow cards fouling Andros Townsend.[20] After a spell on the bench, Bruce returned to Leeds' starting lineup against Cardiff City in place of Richard Naylor. After cementing his place in the side forming a partnership alongside Andy O'Brien, Bruce picked up an injury against Queens Park Rangers and had to be substituted early in the first half.[21]

On 8 January, Bruce put in an imperious performance to help earn Leeds a 1–1 draw against Arsenal. Leeds were 1–0 up when Robert Snodgrass scored a second half penalty, Arsenal equalised in the 90th minute when Cesc Fàbregas scored a penalty.[22] After Leeds conceded high amounts of goals Bruce was dropped to the bench with Leigh Bromby returning to the starting lineup.[23]

2011–12 season

During the pre-season fixtures, Bruce dropped down the pecking order for Leeds with the return of Patrick Kisnorbo and the loan return of Tom Lees. Bruce managed to score in a pre season victory against Motherwell.[24] But wasn't named in the squad for the friendly against Newcastle United. A few days later he was named in a reserve Leeds XI against Farsley Celtic.[25] Bruce missed the first few months of the season with an ankle injury, and suffered an injury setback which ruled him out for a sustained period.[26]

On 24 November, Bruce joined Football League One side Huddersfield Town on loan until 2 January 2012.[27] He made his debut in Town's 1–0 defeat by Bournemouth at the Galpharm Stadium on 10 December 2011. Bruce played three matches for Huddersfield Town. He returned to Leeds on 29 December under the 24-hour recall clause which was agreed as part of the loan deal, following an injury sustained to Tom Lees.[28] Bruce was heavily linked with a move to the Los Angeles Galaxy on the last day of the transfer window; however, the move never materialised.[29] Bruce returned to Leeds' starting line-up for Leeds for the first time since February 2011 when he played against Burnley on 2 January 2012, in Leeds' 2–1 win.[30]

Despite playing regularly in Neil Warnock's spell in charge, Bruce was told by Neil Warnock his two year contract wouldn't be renewed at the end of the 2011–12 season and that he would be released from the club at the expiry of his contract.[31]

Hull City

On 30 July 2012, Bruce rejoined his father after signing for Championship club Hull City on a two-year contract.[32]

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International career

Qualifying through his Irish grandmother, Bruce was eligible for international football for both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, as well as England, where he was born. He was called up by Northern Ireland U21s, but opted to play for the Republic of Ireland U21 instead,[33] and made his debut for the team against Sweden in February 2006.[34] He also represented Republic of Ireland B against Scotland B in November 2006.[35]

On 23 May 2007 he made his full international debut in a friendly match against Ecuador played at Giants Stadium, New Jersey.[36] He captained the Republic of Ireland B team which played Nottingham Forest in a challenge match at Dalymount Park on 9 October 2008.[37]

In June 2011, Northern Ireland manager, Nigel Worthington confirmed he had held talks with Bruce in changing his allegiance.[38] As his Republic of Ireland caps were gained in friendly matches, a switch is possible under existing FIFA eligibility rules. Worthington confirmed that Bruce had changed allegiances to now play his international football for Northern Ireland in July.[39] Bruce earned his first cap for Northern Ireland against Malta on 6 February 2013.[40]

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Personal life

When Bruce joined Kasper Schmeichel at Leeds United, the move saw the two players re-unite after having previously played together as children.[41] Bruce's father, Steve, also played in front of Schmeichel's father, Peter, in the same positions at Manchester United.

Bruce also has an unusual ailment where he vomits after leaving the dressing room before the second halves of football matches.[42][43]

In December 2010, Bruce was involved in a car crash during a snow storm, but managed to escape from the crash unharmed.[44] On 29 January 2011, Bruce was a guest on football magazine programme Soccer AM.[43]

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References

  1. ^ "search births indexes 1837–2006". Findmypast.com. Archived from the original on 3 August 2010. Retrieved 5 August 2010. 
  2. ^ Tattum, Colin (27 January 2005). "Bruce signs son". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 25 May 2007. 
  3. ^ "Academy boys top of class". Lancashire Evening Telegraph. 14 May 2003. Retrieved 25 May 2007. 
  4. ^ "Bruce signs son from Blackburn". BBC Sport. 27 January 2005. Retrieved 25 May 2007. 
  5. ^ "Bruce Jnr set to return to Blues". Birmingham Mail. 27 October 2005. Retrieved 25 May 2007. 
  6. ^ Rogers, Lorraine (10 November 2005). "Handle with care.. the fragile ego of the loan star". Liverpool Daily Post. Retrieved 25 May 2007. 
  7. ^ Clarkson, Ian (3 August 2006). "Bruce Jnr heads for fresh fields". Birmingham Post. Retrieved 25 May 2007. 
  8. ^ "Defender Bruce heads to Ipswich". BBC Sport. 3 August 2006. Retrieved 25 May 2007. 
  9. ^ "Alex Bruce". Ipswich Town FC. Retrieved 25 May 2007. 
  10. ^ Football Spy (12 November 2008). "Ipswich defender Alex Bruce could be on his way to Italian side Fiorentina". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 12 November 2008. 
  11. ^ "Bruce joins on loan". Leicester City F.C. 1 February 2010. Archived from the original on 3 February 2010. Retrieved 1 February 2010. 
  12. ^ "Bruce Looks To 'Fantastic' Opportunity". Leicester City F.C. 4 February 2010. Archived from the original on 9 February 2010. Retrieved 5 February 2010. 
  13. ^ "Blackpool 1–2 Leicester". BBC Sport. 6 February 2010. Archived from the original on 8 February 2010. Retrieved 7 February 2010. 
  14. ^ Shuttleworth, Peter (12 May 2010). "Cardiff 2–3 Leicester (agg 3 – 3)". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 13 May 2010. Retrieved 13 May 2010. 
  15. ^ Henderson, Mel (28 July 2010). "Ipswich defender Alex Bruce set for Leeds switch after Sheffield United move falls through". Daily Mail (London). Archived from the original on 31 July 2010. Retrieved 30 July 2010. 
  16. ^ "Leeds clinch Bruce deal". Sky Sports. 30 July 2010. Retrieved 30 July 2010. 
  17. ^ http://www.leedsunited.com/news/20100917/united-held-at-doncaster_2247585_2157209
  18. ^ http://www.leedsunited.com/news/20100925/sheffield-united-live_2247585_2164449
  19. ^ http://www.leedsunited.com/news/20100928/preston-live_2247585_2168264
  20. ^ http://www.leedsunited.com/news/20101002/ipswich-live_2247585_2171357
  21. ^ http://www.leedsunited.com/news/20101223/boss-waits-on-defensive-news_2247585_2250585
  22. ^ http://www.leedsunited.com/news/20110108/late-leveller-denies-united-arsenal-scalp_2247585_2260931
  23. ^ http://www.leedsunited.com/news/20110312/united-held-in-stalemate_2247585_2314149
  24. ^ http://www.leedsunited.com/news/20110716/united-see-off-motherwell_2247585_2393585
  25. ^ http://www.leedsunited.com/news/20110805/trialists-in-frame-at-farsley_2247585_2411198
  26. ^ "Leeds star suffers setback". Sky Sports (BSkyB). 29 September 2011. 
  27. ^ "BRUCE MOVES OUT IN LOAN DEAL". Leeds United A.F.C. 24 November 2011. 
  28. ^ "BRUCE MOVES BACK FROM LOAN DEAL". Leeds United A.F.C. 29 December 2011. 
  29. ^ "La Galaxy want Bruce". Sky Sports (BSkyB). 24 January 2012. 
  30. ^ "ROSS WINS IT AT THE LAST!". Leeds United A.F.C. 2 January 2012. 
  31. ^ "ELEVEN TOLD THEY CAN GO". Leeds United A.F.C. 2 May 2012. Retrieved 2 May 2012. 
  32. ^ "Tigers Complete Bruce Signing". Hull City A.F.C. 30 July 2012. Retrieved 30 July 2012. 
  33. ^ "Bruce wants to play for Ireland". RTÉ. 30 January 2006. Retrieved 23 August 2006. 
  34. ^ "Under 21 – 2006/2007 Squad Profile". Football Association of Ireland. Archived from the original on 5 October 2006. Retrieved 23 August 2006. 
  35. ^ "McPhail and Stokes impress as Ireland fail to take their chances". Football Association of Ireland. 14 November 2006. Retrieved 25 May 2007. 
  36. ^ "Seven players win their first senior caps for Ireland against Ecuador". Football Association of Ireland. 23 May 2007. Retrieved 25 May 2007. 
  37. ^ "Alex Bruce to captain Republic of Ireland team in challenge match against Nottingham Forest". Football Association of Ireland. 8 October 2008. Retrieved 8 October 2008. 
  38. ^ "Republic of Ireland's Alex Bruce ponders switch to NI". BBC Sport. 14 June 2011. Retrieved 15 June 2011. 
  39. ^ "Republic's Bruce agrees NI switch". BBC Sport. 1 July 2011. 
  40. ^ http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2013/feb/06/malta-northern-ireland-international-friendly
  41. ^ "EXCLUSIVE: Peter's so proud son Kasper is keeping family tradition alive". Daily Mail (London). 17 August 2007. 
  42. ^ [1]
  43. ^ a b [2]
  44. ^ [3]
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Last modified on 9 April 2013, at 17:36