I went out for dinner with Ian Ashbee the week before last (there were others there) and he confirmed that Bruce didn't play Maguire sooner because it meant leaving his son out. Rumours of nepotism not true eh? Bollocks.
Last season Maguire made twice as many appearances as Bruce, so I assume he was referring to the season before, when Bruce made 25 appearances and Maguire made only 6.
I'm sure he is privy to what goes on in Bruce's head. Did you clarify if that was his opinion, or something he knew from Bruce telling him directly (as only he could say this unequivocally).
He was told this by somebody at the club, he wouldn't say who, but it wasn't a rumour. He said it's the club's loss, but what can you do? He didn't seem that arsed or surprised.
Someone at the club... So it could be someone at the clubs opinion. Anyone who knew would be hardly likely to tell him at all. Why would the manager have admitted it to anyone!
I was out with Bruce's window cleaner's son last weekend and he told me Bruce didn't play Aluko when he was injured because he meant leaving out his niece, James Chester. Somebody at the club confirmed this.
This is ****ing stupid. I shared it because a) he isn't going to lie about it, the bloke loves the club and b) I thought some of you would appreciate a bit of insight into a rumour that divided fans at the time. It isn't the first time a former player has confirmed it, even though Ash didn't play for the club under Bruce, he was still well connected to several people who were and they confirmed it too. He didn't reveal who told him, even though I asked I knew he wouldn't say, I have no reason to doubt him. Deano also said as much, as did Faye, Rosenior and Thudd. If you don't want to know or don't believe it, fine, **** off. Also on the subject of Ashbee, I asked him whether he still goes to the games, he says he hasn't been for a long time, as the club don't gift tickets to former players (we're one of two clubs in the entire professional leagues that don't do this), which is a disgrace. He's been to more Cambridge games in recent years than ours.
This is it, he said he wasn't bothered, it was common knowledge anyway (apparently, I didn't know the thing about the tickets).
I occasionally have a pint with an of ex player, he told me about the match day tickets two/three seasons back - he wasn't arsed either but he thought it was really petty.
Ash was at the Man u cup semi final the other week . Think he had his son with him . Was sat in the premium club seat section .
