Bruce divides Charlton and Best thanks to cup
WITH one League Cup winners’ medal sitting at home and the other residing at the Old Trafford Museum in between honours picked up by George Best and Sir Bobby Charlton, Steve Bruce knows better than most what pleasure and pride a stirring run in the competition can bring.
So, as Hull City tonight look to reach the quarter-finals for the first time in the club’s history, their 54-year-old manager recognises what is at stake.
“It would be interesting to have a poll of Hull City supporters,” said Bruce ahead of Leicester City heading to the KC Stadium, “because their best day here would probably still be the (2014) FA Cup final, rather than getting promoted to the Premier League.
“The league has to take precedence, especially for us as we are all desperate to get back to the top division. But the cups are still important.
“It is a sad thing that cup competitions in this country have gone the same way they have in every other country.
“It is sad because the only time that people take an interest is when you are getting to the quarter-finals and semi-finals. Then it becomes a big thing. It will be the same for us.”
The League Cup, then sponsored by the Milk Marketing Board, was the first trophy that Bruce won in his playing career.
The year was 1985 and he was in his first season at Norwich City. The Canaries were destined to be relegated from the top flight at the end of that campaign, but still won through to the Wembley showpiece against Sunderland.
An own goal from Gordon Chisholm settled the final in Norwich’s favour and Bruce was named as man of the match. Further honours would follow – including another Wembley triumph in the League Cup against Nottingham Forest seven years later as Manchester United captain – but that first trophy understandably sticks in the memory.
“It is 30 years ago now,” he said.
“Back in those days, it was different because the league games would be half full and then you would have the full house in the cup. Everyone adored the cups.
“This competition gave me my first piece of silverware. It was a fantastic day, going to Wembley – it was just like what we all experienced a couple of years ago in the FA Cup.
“I had been in the lower leagues with Gillingham for five years so to have a cup run and get to Wembley was terrific for me.
“It all happened so quickly for me. I’d gone from Gillingham to Norwich and, within six months, I was playing at Wembley. We got relegated after that, mind, but they were good times.
“Really, really enjoyable times. Once you get there, to the semifinals and finals, then there really is nothing better. So, it is worth persevering.”
Bruce’s return for the 1992 final saw United win the League Cup for the first time thanks to a first-half goal from Brian McClair. It made up for a year earlier when Sheffield Wednesday had beaten the Red Devils in the final thanks to John Sheridan’s goal.
Asked about his two winners’ medals from a competition that began life in 1960, Bruce said: “I have got the Norwich one somewhere at home, but the other is in the Old Trafford museum.
“If anyone wants to go and see it, it is next to George Best and Bobby Charlton. I don’t know how on earth I am in that company, mind. It must be my initials – though ‘Best, Bruce, Charlton’ has got a nice ring to it.”
Bruce plans to ring the changes tonight, just as he did in the previous round when Swansea City were beaten 1-0 at the KC.
Tom Huddlestone, Mohamed Diame and Shaun Maloney are all expected to start as Sam Clucas, Jake Livermore and David Meyler are given a breather ahead of the trips to MK Dons and Brentford that lay ahead for the Tigers.
Abel Hernandez could also be rested, which may hand a rare chance to Greg Luer due to Sone Aluko (side injury) being out along with Alex Bruce (groin).
“Sam Clucas travelled 13.5km on Saturday, then you have got Meyler and Livermore who are up around 12 to 13km,” said Bruce, whose best run as a manager in the League Cup was to the last eight in 2006 with Birmingham. “They are the obvious ones (to rest).”
As for Hull’s bid to make history after five previous defeats in the fourth round, Bruce added: “You get to the quarter-finals and you just never know. Will there be another shock somewhere?
“When you look at it, it is a really strong last 16. It is frighteningly strong, in fact, but most supporters accept that this is a competition where you can keep players happy.
“It’s a squad game now, you need the players. In the old days if you lost a player you would go and get one, but now it is transfer windows. That is the big difference and probably why the cup competitions have lost that bit of magic.”
Last six games: Hull City WDWDWW, Leicester City DWLWDW. Referee: S Attwell (Warwickshire).
Last time: Hull City 0 Leicester City 1; December 28, 2014; Premier League.
It must be my initials – though ‘Best, Bruce, Charlton’ has got a nice ring to it.
Steve Bruce, on the placement of his 1992 League Cup medal in the Old Trafford Museum.