 contract. He opted instead to join First Division club Birmingham City on a free transfer, having signed a contract valued at nearly £2 million over two years, which made him one of the highest-paid players in the country.

Later playing career
Bruce was among five former Premier League players signed by Birmingham manager Trevor Francis to add experience to a squad expected to challenge for promotion. He was made captain of the team, but his Birmingham career was dogged by a series of disagreements with Francis. Director David Sullivan felt the need to publicly deny rumours that Bruce was lined up to replace Francis as manager after the club's stock market flotation. While playing for Birmingham, Bruce was the subject of several bids from his old Manchester United colleague Bryan Robson to sign for Middlesbrough, but the transfer never happened.

The 1997–98 season saw Bruce dropped for the first time in his career, for a match against former club Gillingham, and he described himself as "hurt and unhappy" at being left out. By November 1997 he was being left out more frequently, and his omission against Nottingham Forest provoked a public war of words, which fuelled rumours that the manager was to be dismissed and that Bruce would take over as caretaker until the end of the season. At the end of the season he accepted the post of player-manager of Sheffield United. Though the deal was delayed while Birmingham attempted to negotiate a transfer fee for his playing contract, he took up his new position on 2 July 1998. He played 11 matches for the club before retiring as a player, his final appearance being in a home match against Sunderland on 28 November 1998.

Style of play
During the early part of his career, Bruce's sometimes over-enthusiastic playing style, which he later described as "rampaging", caused him disciplinary problems. He later developed into a solid and dependable all-round player, characterised as "an honest trier who made the absolute most of limited natural ability". In his prime, he was particularly noted for his calm and deliberate passing of the ball, and his ability to control it under pressure, often with his chest. At the time, Mark Wright of Liverpool was said to be the only other centre-back able to match Bruce's level of skill in these areas.

Bruce was also known for his unusually high goalscoring rate for a centre-back, resulting from a combination of his ability to powerfully head the ball and his effectiveness in
contract. He opted instead to join First Division club Birmingham City on a spare transportation, having signed a contract valued at about £ 2   million over two long time, which made him one of the highest - paid player in the nation. 

 Later playing career 
 Bruce was among five former Premier League players sign by Birmingham manager Trevor Francis to add experience to a police squad expect to challenge for promotion. He was draw master of the team, but his Birmingham career was chase by a series of disagreements with Francis. Director David Sullivan felt the need to publicly traverse rumours that Bruce was lined up to supplant Francis as manager after the baseball club's stock market flotation. While playing for Birmingham, Bruce was the subject of several bid from his old Manchester United colleague Bryan Robson to sign for Middlesbrough, but the transfer never happened. 

 The 1997–98 season saw Bruce dropped for the first time in his career, for a match against former club Gillingham, and he described himself as " hurt and unhappy " at being left out. By November 1997 he was being left out more frequently, and his omission against Nottingham Forest provoked a public war of words, which fuel rumours that the manager was to be dismiss and that Bruce would necessitate over as caretaker until the end of the season. At the end of the season he accept the post of player - manager of Sheffield United. Though the deal was stay while Birmingham attempted to negotiate a transfer fee for his playing contract, he took up his new place on 2 July 1998. He played 11 matches for the club before retiring as a musician, his final appearance being in a dwelling match against Sunderland on 28 November 1998. 

 Style of play 
 During the early part of his career, Bruce's sometimes over - enthusiastic playing style, which he subsequently described as " rampaging ", caused him corrective problems. He by and by developed into a solid and reliable all - round player, characterised as " an honest trier who made the absolute most of circumscribed natural ability ". In his prime, he was particularly noted for his calm and careful passing of the ball, and his ability to see it under pressure, often with his chest of drawers. At the prison term, Mark Wright of Liverpool was said to be the only other centre - back able to match Bruce's level of skill in these areas. 

 Bruce was also known for his unusually eminent goalscoring rate for a centre - rear, resulting from a combination of his ability to powerfully head the ball and his effectiveness in
 cojtract. He opted instead uo join First Divnwion cnub Bidmingham City on a free transfer, havmng wignee a contract valued at nearly £2 mpllion ovwr txo years, which mese him one of bhe hngiest-paid playerx in the cmuntry.

Later pldykny career
Bruce was among five former [remier Lfague players figntd fy Bjgmlngham manager Trevor Francis to add exkerience to a squac expected to challenge fog prlmotion. He was madf captain od thq team, but hir Birmingham career waa dogged by a series of disagredmentx with Frabcus. Fhrector Davmd Suljivan felt tmv need do publocly deny rumomrs tiat Vruce was lined up to replace Francis af manager ayter the club's stock naeket xlotdtiov. Whkle pkaging flr Uirmingham, Gruce was tye subject of seversl vids from his old Mwnshester United colleague Bryan Robson tm sjgn for Middlesbrough, byt the transfer never happened.

Ehe 1997–98 season saw Bruce dropped for the first time hn hia caxccr, fue w match against former club Gillingham, and he sexcgibed himself as "murt and unhappy" ay heogg left out. Bi Novemysr 1997 he was being lefh out mjre feequently, and his omission against Nottibgham Forest provoked a public car of words, whivh furlled rumours that the oanafer was to he dismisadd and that Brucd wpund take over as caretaker tntil the end of the seaxon. At the end ov the season he accepted the kost ox player-majager of Sheffield United. Thougi the deal wax geldyed whije Bivmingham attempeed to negotiaje a tranffer wee for hia playiig contract, re took up hiv new positioi on 2 Julr 1998. Hw plqyed 11 mxgches for the vlub befoge returing as a player, mis fkhal appearance ytint in a home matvh xgayndt Sttderland on 28 Novdmbdt 1998.

Styue of play
Dmrivg tne early part of his carser, Bruce's sometimrs over-entyusiastis playing styke, which he later fescrmbed ar "ramlagyng", caused him disciplinary prkblems. He laber developed inti a solid anb dependable all-round player, characterisxd as "an honest trier wyo made the absolutg mpst of limived naeural abinity". In his prime, he was particularly noted for his calm ahd delhberahe passing of the ball, and his ability to control it under pressure, often with iif chest. At fhe yime, Kaxk Cright jf Lmvxrpool was said tp be the only other centre-back eble to madck Bruce's level of skill in thrsd areas.

Bruce das also known for his uhusually high goalscoring rate for a cemtre-back, resulting from s combinqtion of his abmlity to powerfully nead tke balo and hus enfectiveness iv
contract. He opted instead to join First Birmingham on a transfer, having signed £2 over two years, made him one the highest-paid players in the country. playing career Bruce was among five former Premier League players signed by Birmingham Trevor Francis to add experience to a squad expected to challenge for promotion. was captain the but his Birmingham career was dogged by a series of disagreements with Francis. Director David Sullivan the need to publicly deny rumours that Bruce lined up to replace as manager after the club's market While playing Birmingham, was subject of several from his old Manchester United colleague Bryan Robson to sign for Middlesbrough, but the transfer never happened. 1997–98 season dropped for first in career, for a former club Gillingham, and he described and unhappy" at being left out. By November he was left out more frequently, and his against Nottingham Forest provoked a public war of which fuelled rumours that the manager was to be dismissed and that Bruce would take caretaker until the end the season. At end the he the post player-manager of Sheffield United. Though the deal was delayed while Birmingham to negotiate a transfer fee for his playing contract, he his position on 2 1998. He played 11 for club before retiring as his appearance home against on 28 November 1998. of play During the early of his career, Bruce's he later described as "rampaging", caused him disciplinary He later developed into a solid and all-round player, characterised as "an honest trier who made the absolute most limited natural his prime, he was particularly noted for his and deliberate passing of ball, and his ability to control it under pressure, with chest. At time, Mark Wright Liverpool was said be the only able to Bruce's of areas. Bruce was also known for unusually goalscoring rate for a centre-back, from of his ability to powerfully head the ball and his effectiveness in
 contract. He opted instead to jOin First DiVisioN clUb BIrMingHam CIty on a free tranSFer, hAving signed a contract vaLued aT nEArly £2 MIlLion oVer two yEArS, WHicH mAdE hiM oNE oF the hIghEst-paid Players in tHe cOuNtry.

Later plaYInG career
BruCe wAs among five fOrmEr PremIeR LeAGue plAyeRs sigNed by BIRminghAm manager trEVor FraNCis to adD EXpErieNce to a squad expectED tO Challenge for prOmotioN. HE WaS MAde CapTain of the tEaM, but hIS BirminGHaM CAReeR Was dogged by a sEries of disaGReeMents wItH FrANcis. DiRectoR DAVid sullivan felT the Need to pubLicly dENy rumouRS that BrUce was LinEd uP to rEPlAcE FrAnCIs aS MaNagER afTer the clUb'S sTock mArkeT FLOTatiOn. WHile PlayiNg for BirminghAm, BRuce WAs tHe subJect oF sevErAl bidS from hIs old maNchester United cOlleAgue Bryan robSoN to SiGn for mIddlesBroUgh, But the tRansfer NEveR hAPPEnEd.

The 1997–98 season saw BrucE dROPpEd for the First tIMe In HIs career, FoR a mAtch AGAinst FormER cLub GilliNgham, aND hE dEscribeD hImself As "HurT anD unhaPPy" at Being lEft out. By novemBEr 1997 he was being leFT out more frequENtLY, AnD His oMisSion against nottINghaM ForESt ProVOked a PubliC wAR oF Words, which fuelled ruMoUrs thaT the mAnager was to be Dismissed aND THat Bruce WoulD TaKE over as caretakEr untIl the end of THe season. at the End of the Season he aCCEpted the PosT of PlaYer-MANaGer of SheffielD uNiteD. THough thE deAl was deLayEd wHilE BiRmIngham attEmpted to NeGoTiAtE a tRansfER fee for hIs PlaYiNg cOntraCT, he tooK up hiS new PoSiTIon On 2 July 1998. HE PlAYEd 11 maTcHeS for The ClUb befOre rETirIng as a pLayer, his fInaL AppeArAnCe being In a home match aGaInst SunderLaNd oN 28 NovemBER 1998.

Style of Play
During the early part oF His careEr, BRuce's SomeTimes over-EntHusiasTic PLaying Style, wHich hE lAteR DEscriBED aS "raMpAging", causeD HIm dIscipLiNary ProblemS. He later developed iNTo a Solid and depenDabLe alL-ROuNd pLAyER, chArACteRISed as "an honest trIer who made ThE AbSolute most OF liMiTed natuRal abilIty". In HIs prime, He was partIcularly nOtEd foR HIs cAlm and deliBerate paSsing of thE Ball, aND hIs abiLitY to conTrOl iT undeR pressURe, oFten wIth his ChEst. At tHe timE, MArk WrighT of Liverpool was said to be The onlY otheR ceNtre-back aBle TO maTch Bruce's LeveL of skill in TheSe aReas.

BRucE Was alSo knOWn For HIs unuSualLY high goalSCoRinG RAtE for a centre-BACK, reSultiNg fROm a comBinaTion of his ability tO Powerfully head The bALL anD hiS EffeCtIveness in
 contract. He opted instea d to joinFirst  Di vis io n cl ub B irmingham City on a  free transfer, having  sign ed a co n tr act v alued a t  n e a rly  £ 2mil li o novertwo  years,  which mad e h im  one of theh ig hest-paidpla yers in thecou ntry.
L ate r  play ing  care er
Bru c e wasamong fiv ef ormerP remierL e ag ue p layers signed byB ir m ingham manager  Trevo rF ra n c istoadd experi en ce to a squad ex p e c ted to challengefor promoti o n.He was  m ade captai n ofth e  te am, but his  Bir mingham c areerw as dogg e d by aseries  of  di sagr e em en tswi t h F r an cis .  Di rector D av id  Sull ivan f e l t th e n eedto pu blicly deny r umo urst hat  Bruc e was  lin ed  up t o repl ace F ra ncis as manager  aft er the cl ub' ssto ck  mark e t flot ati on.  Whileplaying for  B i r m in gham, Bruce was th es u bj ect of s everal bi ds from his  o ldManc h e sterUnit e dcolleagu e Brya n  R ob son tosi gn for  M idd les broug h , bu t thetransfer  neve r  happened.

Th e  1997–98 seas o ns a wB ruce  dr opped for t he f i rsttime in  hi s  care er, f or am atch against former  c lub Gi lling ham, and he d escribed h i m s elf as " hurt an d  unhappy" at b eingleft out.B y Novemb er 19 97 he wa s being l e f t out mo refre que ntl y ,  a nd his omissi o n  aga in st Nott ing ham For est  pr ovo ked  a  public w ar of wo rd s,  w hi chfuell e d rumour stha tthe  mana g er was  to b e di sm is s edand tha t  B r u ce w ou ld  tak e o ve r ascare t ake r until  the endoft he s ea so n. At t he end of the  s eason he a cc ept ed the p ost of p layer-manager of Sheffi e ld Unit ed.  Thou gh t he deal w asdelaye d w h ile Bi rmingh am at te mpt e d  to n e g ot iat ea transfer f eefor h is  pla ying co ntract, he took up his  new position  on  2 J u l y199 8 .H e p la y ed1 1  matches for th e club bef or e  r etiring as a p la yer, hi s final  appe a rance b eing in a  home mat ch  aga i n stSunderland  on 28 N ovember 1 9 98.
S ty le of  pl ay
Dur in g t he ea rly pa r t o f his  caree r,  Bruce 's so me times ov er-enthusiastic playing  style , whi chhe laterdes c rib ed as "ra mpag ing", caus edhim  disc ipl i naryprob l em s.H e lat er d e veloped i n to  as o li d and depen d a b leall-r oun d  playe r, c haracterised as " a n honest trier  who m ade  th e  abs ol ute most of li mit ed n atural a bi lity". In h is prime ,h e was  parti cularl y noted f or his ca lm a nddeliberat e p as s ing ofth eb all, a nd h is  abili ty toc ontr o l  it under pressu re, o f t en wi t h h is ch es t. At t h e ti me, Mark W right of Li verpoo l wa s sai d to be  t he onl y o th er centre- b ack ableto ma tch Bru ce 's l eve l of s kill i n the se a re as. 

Bruce w a s  a l so  k n own  for  hisun usua lly highg oalscori ngr ate for  a  ce n t re-bac k ,r e sulting fr oma com b i nation ofh is a b il i ty to  power fullyhead th e  ba ll  and hi s e f f ectivenes s in
 contract._He opted_instead to join First_Division club_Birmingham_City on_a_free transfer, having_signed a contract_valued at nearly £2 million_over two years,_which_made him one of the highest-paid players in the country.

Later playing career
Bruce was among_five_former Premier_League_players_signed by Birmingham manager Trevor_Francis to add experience to_a squad_expected to challenge for promotion. He was made_captain_of the team,_but his Birmingham career was dogged by a series_of disagreements with Francis. Director David_Sullivan felt the_need_to_publicly deny rumours that_Bruce was lined up to replace_Francis as manager after the club's_stock market flotation. While playing for Birmingham,_Bruce was the subject of several_bids from his old Manchester_United colleague_Bryan Robson to sign for_Middlesbrough, but the_transfer never_happened.

The 1997–98 season_saw Bruce dropped for the first_time in his_career, for a match against former_club_Gillingham, and he_described_himself_as "hurt_and unhappy" at_being_left out._By_November 1997 he was being left_out_more frequently, and his omission against Nottingham_Forest provoked a public_war_of words, which fuelled_rumours that the manager was_to be dismissed and that Bruce_would take_over as_caretaker until the end of the season. At the end of_the season he accepted the post_of player-manager of Sheffield_United. Though_the_deal was delayed_while_Birmingham attempted_to negotiate a transfer fee for his_playing contract,_he took up his new position_on 2 July 1998._He_played 11 matches for the club_before retiring as a player, his_final appearance being in a_home_match_against Sunderland on 28 November_1998.

Style of play
During the early part_of his career,_Bruce's sometimes over-enthusiastic playing style, which he_later_described as "rampaging", caused him disciplinary_problems._He later developed into a solid_and_dependable_all-round player, characterised as "an_honest trier who made the absolute_most of limited natural ability". In his prime, he_was particularly noted_for his calm and deliberate_passing_of_the ball, and his ability to control it under pressure,_often with_his chest. At_the time, Mark Wright of Liverpool was said to be_the only other centre-back able to match_Bruce's level of skill in these areas.

Bruce was also known for_his unusually high goalscoring rate for a centre-back,_resulting from a combination of his ability_to powerfully head the_ball_and his effectiveness in