Steve Bruce thanks Aston Villa fans and staff for 'unbelievable' support
Villa boss Steve Bruce thanked fans and his staff for their “unbelievable” support following the death of his father earlier this month.
Bruce took media duties for the first time in a fortnight ahead of Villa’s trip to Fulham on Saturday.
The manager had been away from the club’s Bodymoor Heath training ground to spend time with his family and mourn following the death of his father, Joe.
Bruce’s mother has also been seriously ill and he thanked fans for the messages he has received at a difficult time.
“The support I have had in difficult times for myself is nothing short of unbelievable,” said Bruce.
“The well-wishes I have had and cards from all sorts of football fans.
“The football world is much-maligned at times but when people have a personal loss like I have just had, of course the support you get and the support from the supporters has been wonderful.
“I’d like to thank them - all of them - for their best wishes and certainly in a really difficult time for myself and my family, their support has been crucial.”
Bruce returned to work ahead of Villa’s derby clash with Blues and was then in the dugout for last Sunday’s 2-0 win.
And he thanked his coaching staff for stepping up in his absence.
“I’m very fortunate that I’ve got two people on my immediate staff who are previously been managers, in Colin Calderwood and Steve Agnew,” he said.
“It’s not just my immediate staff, though.
“I’ve got a great medical team who have helped get almost everyone fit right now.
“The people who work in the gym and cook the dinner are just as important as the support staff.
“The ones I’ve really relied on in the last couple of weeks of Colin (Calderwood), the two Steve’s (Clemence and Agnew) and Walshy (Gary Walsh) have helped us get ready for the games.
“They’ve been key and they’ve made sure that nothing has really changed.
“Of course I’ve picked the team but their support has been fantastic.
“I wouldn’t have thought anything different because they’re really experienced people who know how to handle a club.
“When I have been away from the club, I knew it would be in good hands.”
