Alex Bruce (footballer, born 1984)

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For other people of the same name, see Alexander Bruce (disambiguation).

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Alex Bruce
Alex Bruce 13-12-2014 1.jpg
Bruce playing for Hull City in 2014
Personal information
Full name Alex Stephen Bruce[1]
Date of birth (1984-09-28) 28 September 1984 (age 39)
Place of birth Norwich, England
Height Script error: No such module "person height".
Position(s) Defender
Team information
Current team
 Hull City
Number 4
Youth career
1998–2001 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 81 (1)
International career‡
2006 Republic of Ireland U21 5 (0)
2006 Republic of Ireland B 1 (0)
2007–2008 Republic of Ireland 2 (0)
2013– Northern Ireland 2 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 17:45, 5 December 2015 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 21:45, 22 March 2014 (UTC)

Alex Stephen Bruce (born 28 September 1984) is a professional footballer who plays for English club Hull City as a defender. He has also played as a holding midfielder on occasion. The son of the Hull City manager and former Manchester United defender Steve Bruce, he has also played for Ipswich Town and Leeds United, among others.

Born and raised in England, Bruce has played twice for the Northern Ireland national team, for which he declared himself available in 2011 and made his debut in 2013. He had previously made two appearances for the Republic of Ireland in 2007–08, but was allowed to switch under FIFA eligibility rules as these had been in friendly matches.

Club career

Early career

Bruce was born in Norwich, Norfolk, but moved to the Greater Manchester area at the age of three when his father, centre-back Steve Bruce, 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 that 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.[4] He signed on a free transfer for Birmingham City, where his father was manager, on 27 January 2005.[5][6]

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 contributed to their promotion via the play-offs.[4] Bruce's performances against Tranmere Rovers impressed that club's manager, Brian Little, who signed him on loan for the first half of the 2005–06 season,[7] but the loan was terminated early by mutual consent.[8][9]

Bruce made a few appearances for Birmingham following his return, including coming on as a substitute against Liverpool when Birmingham were getting heavily beaten.[10] The team were relegated to the Championship, and 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.[11][12]

Ipswich Town

In the summer of 2006, he moved to Ipswich Town on a free transfer, signing a three-year contract.[13] In early summer 2007 he was called up as an international player by the Republic of Ireland,[14] and in November 2008, he was reportedly being watched by Italian club Fiorentina, having been recommended by Ireland manager Giovanni Trappatoni.[15] Bruce scored his first goal for Ipswich, away to his former club Birmingham City, on 24 October 2008.[16] He ended speculation he would leave the club by signing a new two-year contract in May 2009.[17][18] Bruce captained the side at the start of the 2009–10 season, initially because Gareth McAuley was absent through injury and loss of form, but manager Roy Keane confirmed in late August that Bruce would keep the captaincy even if McAuley returned to the team.[19] He fell out of favour with Keane, and lost his place in the starting 11.[20]

Leicester City loan

Bruce playing for Leicester City in 2010

On 1 February 2010, Bruce joined Leicester City on loan for the rest of the season;[21] he jumped at the opportunity "for a change and a new challenge."[22] 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.[23] Half an hour into his full debut, he suffered a hernia that required surgery,[24] and kept him out for several weeks. He recovered in time to play in the last three matches of the season, partnering Jack Hobbs in central defence as Leicester lost the Championship play-off semi-final to Cardiff City on penalties.[25][26]

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.[27] 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.[28] Bruce was an unused substitute in Leeds' first game of the season, and made his debut in the League Cup against Lincoln City on 10 August, coming into the starting 11 in place of captain Richard Naylor; Naylor took his place back for the next League match. Bruce made his second start in the next round of the League Cup, against his former club Leicester City.[29][30]

In his first League appearance, again replacing the rested Naylor, this time against Doncaster Rovers on 17 September, Bruce helped Leeds keep a clean sheet.[31] He kept his place for the next game, against Sheffield United,[30] and scored his first Leeds goal in the next, a 6–4 home defeat against Preston North End.[32] After Naylor came back into the side, Bruce moved to right back against his former club Ipswich Town, and was sent off after receiving a second yellow card for a foul on Andros Townsend.[33][34] After a spell on the bench, Bruce returned to Leeds' starting line-up against Cardiff City. After cementing his place in the side in partnership with Andy O'Brien, Bruce picked up an injury against Queens Park Rangers and had to be substituted early in the first half.[35] In January 2011, Bruce was part of the Leeds team that came close to eliminating Premier League Arsenal from the FA Cup. Leeds took the lead through a Robert Snodgrass penalty, but Cesc Fàbregas equalised in the 90th minute, also via a penalty.[36] After Leeds conceded eight goals in the last three games in February, Leigh Bromby replaced Bruce in the defence,[37][38] and Bruce made no further appearances that season.[30]

2011–12 season

The return to fitness of Patrick Kisnorbo provided additional competition in defence.[39] Bruce scored in a pre-season victory against Motherwell,[40] and played in a reserve-team friendly against non-league club Farsley Celtic,[40] but missed the first few months of the season through injury, including damage to an ankle.[41]

On 24 November, he joined League One club Huddersfield Town on loan until 2 January 2012.[42] He made his debut in Town's 1–0 home defeat to AFC Bournemouth on 10 December, and played twice more before Leeds invoked a 24-hour recall clause after an injury to Tom Lees.[43][44] He returned to Leeds' starting lineup for the first time in nearly a year for the 2–1 win against Burnley on 2 January,[45] but that was his only appearance in January, and he was linked with a move to Los Angeles Galaxy.[46] No move took place, and Bruce made seven more appearances before being released by manager Neil Warnock when his contract expired at the end of the season.[47]

Hull City

Bruce signed a two-year deal with Championship club Hull City, where his father was manager, on 30 July 2012.[48] He played 32 games and became an integral part of the team that earned promotion to the Premier League during the 2012–13 season. His second season at the club in the Premier League, Bruce played 20 Premier League games.

On 17 May 2014 he started in the 2014 FA Cup Final against Arsenal. However he was on the losing side, when Arsenal earned a 3–2 victory after a late goal by Aaron Ramsey.[49]

On 20 October 2015 he scored his first goal for Hull City through a 36th minute header, after coming on for the injured Curtis Davies in the 18th minute.[50]

International career

Qualifying through his paternal grandmother from Bangor, Northern Ireland, Bruce was eligible for international football for both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland in addition to England, where he was born and brought up. He was called up by the Northern Ireland under-21s, but opted to play for the Republic instead,[51] and made his debut for their under-21 team against Sweden in February 2006.[52] He also represented Republic of Ireland B against Scotland B in November 2006.[53]

On 23 May 2007 he made his full international debut in a friendly match for the Republic of Ireland against Ecuador played at Giants Stadium, New Jersey.[14] He captained the Republic of Ireland B team which played Nottingham Forest in a challenge match at Dalymount Park on 9 October 2008.[54]

In July 2011, Bruce switched his international allegiance to Northern Ireland. This was possible under FIFA eligibility rules because Bruce's appearances for the Republic had been in friendly matches.[55] He was first called into the Northern Ireland squad in October 2012, for the World Cup qualifier against Portugal, but injury forced his withdrawal.[56] He made his Northern Ireland debut against Malta in a friendly on 6 February 2013.[57]

Personal life

When Bruce joined Leeds United, he was reunited with his childhood friend, the Leeds goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel;[58] their fathers, Steve Bruce and Peter Schmeichel, had played together in the same positions at Manchester United.

In December 2010, Bruce was involved in a car crash during a snow storm, but managed to escape from the crash unharmed.[59]

Career statistics

Club

Bruce (left) and Nolberto Solano playing for Leicester City in 2010
As of 5 December 2015
Club statistics
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Blackburn Rovers 2004–05[4] Premier League 0 0 — 0 0 — 0 0
Oldham Athletic (loan) 2004–05[4][6] League One 6 0 1 0 — 1[lower-alpha 1] 0 8 0
Birmingham City 2004–05[4] Premier League 0 0 — 0 0 — 0 0
2005–06[60] Premier League 6 0 6 0 — — 12 0
Total 6 0 6 0 0 0 — 12 0
Oldham Athletic (loan) 2004–05[4][6] League One 6 0 1 0 — 1[lower-alpha 1] 0 8 0
Sheffield Wednesday (loan) 2004–05[4][6] League One 6 0 — — 3[lower-alpha 2] 0 9 0
Tranmere Rovers (loan) 2005–06[60] League One 11 0 — 1 0 — 12 0
Ipswich Town 2006–07[10] Championship 41 0 3 0 1 0 — 45 0
2007–08[61] Championship 36 0 1 0 1 0 — 38 0
2008–09[16] Championship 25 1 2 1 2 0 — 29 2
2009–10[25] Championship 13 1 0 0 2 0 — 15 1
Total 115 2 6 1 6 0 — 127 3
Leicester City (loan) 2009–10[25] Championship 3 0 — — 2[lower-alpha 2] 0 5 0
Leeds United 2010–11[30] Championship 21 1 2 0 2 0 — 25 1
2011–12[43] Championship 8 0 0 0 0 0 — 8 0
Total 29 1 2 0 2 0 — 33 1
Huddersfield Town (loan) 2011–12[43] League One 3 0 — — — 3 0
Hull City 2012–13[62] Championship 32 0 3 0 2 0 — 37 0
2013–14[63] Premier League 20 0 2 0 3 0 — 25 0
2014–15[64] Premier League 22 0 0 0 1 0 2[lower-alpha 3] 0 25 0
2015–16[65] Championship 7 1 0 0 2 0 — 9 1
Total 81 1 5 0 8 0 2 0 96 1
Career total 266 4 21 1 17 0 9 0 313 5
  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Appearance(s) in Football League play-offs
  3. ↑ Appearance(s) in UEFA Europa League

International

As of match played 5 March 2014[66]
International statistics
National team Year Apps Goals
Republic of Ireland 2007 1 0
2008 1 0
Total 2 0
Northern Ireland 2013 1 0
2014 1 0
Total 2 0

Honours

Hull City

Sheffield Wednesday

References

  1. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  5. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  11. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  12. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  13. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  15. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  17. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  18. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  19. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  20. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  21. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  22. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  23. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  24. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 25.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  26. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  27. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  28. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  29. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 30.2 30.3 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  31. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  32. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  33. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  34. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  35. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  36. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  37. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  38. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  39. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  40. ↑ 40.0 40.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  41. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  42. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  43. ↑ 43.0 43.1 43.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  44. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  45. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  46. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  47. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  48. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  49. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  50. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  51. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  52. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  53. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  54. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  55. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  56. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  57. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  58. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  59. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  60. ↑ 60.0 60.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  61. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  62. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  63. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  64. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  65. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  66. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.Lua error in Module:WikidataCheck at line 28: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).
  67. ↑ http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_2/4580603.stm

External links

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