Every Tuesday night, the Macclesfield boss gets together with a star-studded collection of former pros for a game of nine-a-side in neighbouring Cheadle.
“Stevie Ireland was the instigator and it started out as a WhatsApp group of about five or six people,” says Bruce, referring to the former Manchester City and Aston Villa midfielder.
“Now it’s about 20, and some of the names in that group… you’ve got Papiss Cisse, Phil Bardsley, Danny Drinkwater, Dale Stephens. Wes Brown plays now and again.
“One week, there was a back four of Antonio Valencia, Wes Morgan, Joleon Lescott and Danny Simpson – that’s four Premier League winners there.
“It gives a few old codgers like me the chance to burn a few calories and clear their heads. And no matter who you are and what kind of career you’ve had, it’s still better than slogging away on a treadmill, isn’t it?”
One recent admission to this exclusive group was Oumar Niasse, the former Senegal striker who in 2016 completed a £13.5m move from Lokomotiv Moscow to Everton.
Which is how, after a dismal fouryear spell at Goodison Park and equally barren stints at Burton Albion and Morecambe, the out-ofwork 33-year-old ended up signing a short-term deal to play for the Silkmen in the Northern Premier League, Premier Division.
“I got to know Oumar at the Tuesday game and I could see straight away that he still had plenty to offer someone,” explains Bruce, who wrapped up the deal on Thursday.
この記事は The Non-League Football Paper の November 26, 2023 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は The Non-League Football Paper の November 26, 2023 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
CRAIG'S BOOSTS
MANAGERIAL stalwart Craig Edwards is back in charge of Barking – 23 years after he left!
LENNIE GETS THE LOVE
VETERAN caretaker chief Lennie Lawrence says he is “excited” to be handed the reins at Hartlepool United permanently – just a few weeks before his 77th birthday!
MOTORS FEELS LIKE HOLMES!
WHEN he was younger, Danny Holmes played video games that simulated being a football manager.
REES HITS FAB FOUR AS TOWN ROMP IT
RICARDO REES struck four times to help Merthyr Town maintain their spot at the top of the table with a dominant home win against play-off chasing Havant & Waterlooville.
DULWICH DISPLAY DELIGHTS COACHES
GOALS from Danny Mills, Luke Wanadio and Lorenzo’s stoppage-time finish fired Dulwich Hamlet to a comfortable win over fellow play-off hopefuls Potters Bar Town, though the scoreline doesn’t tell the full story.
ANCHORS A RAPID
ASHTON UNITED hit two goals in two minutes to come from behind to win at Stockton Town.
SEAGULLS KEEP THE HEAT ON ROMANS
BATH City were made to pay for their mistakes by high-flying Weston-super-Mare.
CLINICAL COLEMAN KEEN AS MUSTARD
CIAN COLEMAN’S hat-trick lifted Buxton to their highest league position of the season as they became the latest side to frustrate Scunthorpe.
KEV SEES RED IN REE PANT!
SOUTHEND United boss Kevin Maher hit out at referee Abigail Byrne following his side’s defeat to Yeovil Town at Roots Hall.
MARVEL MATTY DENIES MOORS
BOTH managers insisted their teams deserved more after Altrincham came from behind to steal a point in a six-goal thriller at Solihull Moors.