Biography
Alex Bruce signed for City in July 2012 to provide defensive steel to his father’s promotion push. And he proved over four seasons to be a very reliable support defender, quelling the considerable threat of Luis Suarez and dominating the FA Cup Final along the way. But he remained the manager’s son in the eyes of some supporters, with all the negative connotations of that truth, and latterly in the eyes of the chairman’s son once Steve Bruce had left the City helm in July 2016. After a season out of the first team, some of which was spent on loan at Wigan, Bruce was released via the club’s Twitter feed in May 2017.
Born in Norwich during his father’s early career at the Canaries, Bruce served his apprenticeship at Manchester United before switching to Blackburn Rovers just before his 17th birthday. After a season and a half at Ewood Park Bruce switched to Birmingham City, playing under his father for the first time. A year later he signed for Ipswich Town where he spent four seasons and established himself as a regular first team choice. In 2010 he switched to Leeds United where Bruce spent two seasons prior to signing for the Tigers.
In August 2017 Bruce spent two weeks as a non-contract player at Bury, where he scored on his debut and made one further appearance. At the end of August 2017 he signed for Wigan Athletic, where he had played on loan the previous season, on a one season deal. By January 2019 he was heading north, signing for SPL success story Kilmarnock. He announced an end to his playing days in November 2020, but by August 2021 he had registered as a player at North West Counties League phoenix club Macclesfield FC as part of a first team mentoring role. In January 2022 Alex Bruce was appointed to the coaching staff at Championship side West Bromwich Albion by his father Steve, who had just been appointed first team manager by the Baggies. Alex left West Bromwich in October 2022 when his father was relieved of his duties.
In October 2023 Alex was appointed first team manager at ambitious Northern Premier League side Macclesfield FC, working with assistant manager Phil Bardsley. In February 2024 he left Macclesfield and was appointed a first team coach at League Two side Salford City.
Bruce has a grandmother that hailed from Northern Ireland, which means he qualifies to play for both Ireland and Northern Ireland at international level. Bruce played for Ireland under-21s and Ireland B in 2006, being elevated to the senior team during 2007 when he played in a friendly against Ecuador. Having not played for Ireland in a competitive fixture, Bruce was able to switch to Northern Ireland in 2011, for whom he made two senior appearances during 2013.
Details
Nationality: Northern Ireland
Date/Place of Birth: 28 September 1984, Norwich
Hull City First Game: 11 August 2012, Rotherham United H (League Cup 1st Round), 27 years, 318 days old
Hull City Final Game: 14 May 2016, Derby County A (Championship Play-Off Semi-Final First Leg), 31 years, 229 days old
Clubs
Blackburn Rovers (2001-2005), Oldham Athletic (2004-2005, loan), Birmingham City (2005-2006), Oldham Athletic (2005, loan), Sheffield Wednesday (2005, loan), Tranmere Rovers (2005, loan), Ipswich Town (2006-2010), Leicester City (2010, loan), Leeds United (2010-2012), Huddersfield Town (2011, loan), Hull City (2012-2017), Wigan Athletic (2017, loan), Bury (2017), Wigan Athletic (2017-2019), Kilmarnock (2019-2020). Macclesfield FC (2021)
Hull City Record
Career: 104 apps, 1 goals
Alex Bruce| Season | LGE App | LGE Gls | FAC App | FAC Gls | FLC App | FLC Gls | EUR App | EUR Gls | OTH App | OTH Gls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012/13 | 29 (3) | 0 | 3 (0) | 0 | 0 (2) | 0 | - | - | - | - |
| 2013/14 | 19 (1) | 0 | 1 (1) | 0 | 3 (0) | 0 | - | - | - | - |
| 2014/15 | 17 (5) | 0 | - | - | 1 (0) | 0 | 2 (0) | 0 | - | - |
| 2015/16 | 9 (2) | 1 | 3 (0) | 0 | 2 (0) | 0 | - | - | 0 (1) | 0 |
| 2016/17 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |