FA Cup 1st Round Preview: Steve Bruce returns, as Micky Mellon faces former club Tranmere
Steve Bruce will be back in the Blackpool dugout for the first time since the death of his baby grandson.
Madison, son of Bruce’s daughter and son-in-law – the former Oldham Athletic, Leeds United and Salford City striker Matt Smith – died at just four-months-old in October.
Bruce missed three Blackpool games – the defeats against Barnsley and Peterborough and the comeback draw against Wigan – but will return to coaching duties when the Seasiders travel to Gillingham in the FA Cup on Saturday.
Telling people to look after their loved ones, Bruce said: “On Tuesday we laid my grandson Madison to rest. It’s been the worst time of my family’s entire lives and is something no family should have to endure.
“I’d like to take this opportunity on behalf of all the family to thank everyone for the tributes and messages from inside and outside the footballing world. It has touched us all.
“I look forward to seeing you all on Saturday at Gillingham, and back at Bloomfield Road.”
Blackpool won their first five league games under the former Manchester United defender when he was appointed in early September.
But after three games without a win – which has coincided with Bruce’s absence – the Seasiders now find themselves 16th in League Two.
They’ll be hoping Bruce’s return helps them get back to winning ways at Gillingham.
Also in action from the North-West is a Greater Manchester-Merseyside matchup, where Oldham Athletic boss Micky Mellon will lead his side out at Tranmere Rovers.
The Scotsman managed Tranmere from 2021-2023, as well as making 173 appearances for the club in his playing days.
But he will be hoping to get one over on his former employees when they face each other at 3pm on Saturday.
Other North-West sides featuring in the FA Cup 1st Round:
- Stockport County v Forest Green Rovers (Saturday, 3pm)
- Carslisle v Wigan Athletic (Saturday, 3pm)
- Rushall Olympic v Accrington Stanley (Saturday, 3pm)
- Worthing v Morecambe (Saturday, 3pm)
- Reading v Fleetwood Town (Saturday, 3pm)
- Curzon Ashton v Mansfield (Sunday, 2pm)
