February 27 2005

Steve Bruce

A sweet and life-enhancing 2-0 win against Birmingham City (Feb 26) put a spring in Jamesey's step - but he pondered on the beneficial effects of abusing the opposition

I may be set in my old ways in many areas but I have to admit I changed my views in a fairly big way during our game against the Bluenoses today.

I still can't quite understand the degree of hostility directed at Steve Bruce even now.

He was our manager for a few months several years ago.

He left for a job which he reckoned was a better one and succeeded in his first season in getting that club into the top tier and, so far, staying there.

I think I can say that I have never heard such vitriol directed at a visiting manager as was given today in all the decades I have supported CPFC, apart from Old Flatnose's last visit, of course.

OK, that said, on the other side of the coin, I used to get well brassed off with our gentlemanly reception for ex-players who invariably scored against us.

Sorry to be so uncritical, but I thought Julian Gray was great asset to our club. When Kit Symons and then ID brought him back into the side, I felt he played a significant role in our promotion last season.

He decided to go because he saw better opportunities elsewhere.

But I thought the earsplitting level of abuse against Julian and Steve Bruce played a large part in our victory against Brummagem...and reluctantly I have to come into the 21st century and say that if that is what gets results, so be it.

Even Clinton Morrison got a right earful when he was subbed, from the fans in the Main Stand and I can't think of any reason why not. We were too kind to him at the start, although that changed as the game continued.

Just to even up the score, one last thought is related to his final league visit of the late and sorely missed Brian Clough to Selhurst in the early 90s with his Nottingham Forest.

As he walked, green-jerseyed, along the touchline to the dugouts (the same route taken by Mr Bruce today), instead of booing, whistling and obscenities, the entire Main Stand stood up and applauded him.

He looked around wondering if we were focused on something else and, when he realised we were paying our respects to a wonderful manager and, as we know, flawed human being, he beamed a great smile at all of us.

But then he had well and truly earned the admiration of all football supporters, in my view.

So Steve Bruce, booooooooooooooooooooooh.....

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