STEVE BRUCE is already the proud owner of three FA Cup winners' medals, but his desire to add to his collection remains as strong as ever. Bruce is a born winner, a tough Geordie who for the past 19 years has enjoyed every minute of a career which has brought honours, fame and fortune that remain the envy of many of his fellow professionals.
It was generally accepted when Bruce left his beloved Manchester United last summer to begin a two year term offered by Trevor Francis at Birmingham City, that his illustrious spell in football had begun a rapid downward spiral. But secretly he was determined to prove his critics wrong, and now he has one of his greatest soccer achievements firmly in his sight.
In virtually any other season the merit ion of Birmingham City and the FA Cup in the same breath would be greeted with hoots of derision from all but the club's most loyal followers who have for so long been overshadowed by the achievements of the claret and blue of Aston Villa.
But while Villa, and Bruce's former Old Trafford employers have already fallen by the wayside on their proposed trip to Wembley, along with such other illustrious Premiership names as Newcastle, Liverpool and Arsenal, Birmingham's route remains wide open.
The last time they reached an FA Cup final in 1956 the M1 was not even open. Now Bruce is among the ever growing band who believe an excursion down the fast lane of the M40 in May is not out of the question. His team take on the highly respected Wrexham at St Andrew's today, attempting to reach the last eight of the competition for the first time in 13 years, and keep their Wembley dream very much alive.
During his daily hour long drive from his home near Manchester to the Birmingham training ground, Bruce has plenty of time to look forward positively, particularly now that Chris Evans has departed the BBC Radio One airwaves.
Bruce smiled: "I used to listen to Chris every morning on the way down to training, and he made the time fly. I was very disappointed when he left, so if he happens to read this then all I can say is `Get back on the radio quickly - I need you!'"
During his radio assisted jaunts up and down the M6 - "the traffic congestion around Birmingham never gets any easier - Bruce also has time to reflect on his contribution to the great Old Trafford revival which began under Alex Ferguson when United beat Crystal Palace in the 1990 FA Cup final replay. "We were drawn against Nottingham Forest away from home in the fourth round that season. Every one expected us to lose, but we won 1-0 thanks to a Mark Robins goal, and went on to win the Cup.
"I always felt that was the turning point for United, because we then went on to win the European Cup Winners' Cup the following season, then the Premiership title three times and the Cup twice more before I left.
"I missed last season's Cup final win over Liverpool through injury, but the FA still awarded me a medal to complete a trio. I also have a loser's medal from when we played Everton a couple of seasons ago."
Even with another medal on his mind, Bruce is not underestimating the threat of Wrexham, who are still talked about for their shock victory over Arsenal five years ago. They are through to the fifth round this time courtesy of victories over Colwyn Bay, Scunthorpe and West Ham - all after replays - followed by success at Peterborough.
Defeat for Birmingham would rank on a par, according to Bruce, with the anguish he suffered during his days at Norwich when they were felled in the third round by Wigan.
"I know the FA Cup is all about giant killing, that is part of the magic and why it is a totally unique competition. But it is still not nice to be on the receiving end. It comes as a bitter disappointment, and takes some while to get over," said Bruce.
Successive home defeats by West Brom and Portsmouth have severely diminished Birmingham hopes of securing a First Division play off place, thus making the cup their only realistic chance of achieving success during their manager Francis's first season back at St Anndrew's.
"Those two defeats have rocked us," admitted Bruce. "So I suppose the best way to bounce back is to beat Wrexham. It is not often that a team can hope for such a good opportunity to reach the quarter finals. Birmingham supporters have had to wait a long time for something to shout about. They have been very patient, and their backing for the team has never wavered, so it would be nice to repay them."
Bruce has become a firm favourite among the Birmingham faithful. His experience and knowledge have erased early scepticism that he joined the club only to secure a weekly wage in excess of £15,000.
He confirmed: "I still enjoy playing as much as ever. Of course I would be lying if I said I did not miss United. Moving anywhere else after nine years at Old Trafford is bound to represent a massive change. Things have not gone completely to plan here but I have nearly 18 months left on my contract and I hope I can achieve some success before it expires.
It may even come this season. If someone had suggested a few weeks ago that most of the Premiership big names would be eliminated before the fifth round it would have been regarded as a crazy statement. But that is exactly the situation.
Of course there are still Chelsea and Wimbledon, and if we don't happen to win the Cup then I think it might just be Chelsea's year. I would certainly settle for all blue final against them in May," says the man who wore the red of United with such pride.
