TOON’S HEAD START
Football’s return gives us all a lift says Bruce
STEVE BRUCE believes the Premier League restart will help ease the mental state of football fans.
The Newcastle boss is convinced the health of supporters will be boosted by having the distraction of their favourite team to support again.
His team kick off against Sheffield United on Sunday and research has found that football fans miss the distraction sport provides, along with the friendship and banter that going to a game brings.
Bruce says it is the job of the football industry to restore some normality with “the second best thing” – matches on television.
Bruce, who was at an empty St James’ Park on Saturday for a 2-0 friendly win against Hull, said: “We all need it (to start again). It is strange times for everyone.
“It is something to look forward to for the supporters and for everyone with their mental state. Let’s hope the world comes back to a good place and we can get fans back at sporting events because it has proved to me how much we have missed it all.”
Prince William announced last week that the FA Cup has been renamed the Heads Up FA Cup.
He said: “I think there’s going to be, sadly, a lot of repercussions from this in society, not just in football, in terms of people’s mental health.
“Hopefully the FA Cup can be a bit of a pivot that people can rally around.”
Bruce, whose Newcastle side are at home to Manchester City on Sunday week in the FA Cup quarter-finals, has predicted a slow start to the season’s resumption but a return to full speed in a couple of weeks.
And the manager might ditch the dug-out for long periods of games and take his pick of the empty seats in the ground.
He said: “There is no doubt you get a better picture when you are higher up.
I will think about it. Of course with no fans in the stadium you can sit up at a height and keep quiet.
“When this place is full I wouldn’t be sitting where I did for the practice games.
“It is a crying shame that fans can’t be here but it is the second best thing, being able to cheer them on on the TV or laptop. When you see an empty St James’ it is hardly recognisable from game day but it is the same for everyone.”
The Longstaff brothers, Sean and Matty, missed the game with injuries but could return to training this week and skipper Jamaal Lascelles was given the weekend off after becoming a dad again.