By Football Insider speaking to Kevin Campbell

23rd Apr, 2020 | 7:30pm

Exclusive: Bruce blown away by 'Big' Leeds development

Alex Bruce has lauded the decision by Leeds United to rename a stand after club legend and Norman Hunter.

The former Leeds defender, speaking exclusively to Football Insider assistant editor Russell Edge, insists it is a fitting tribute from the club for a “big figure” whose name is written into Elland Road history.

As revealed on Thursday, the south stand at the stadium will be named in honour of Hunter after his passing at the age of 76 last week.

He joins club icons Don Revie and John Charles in being immortalised with a stand named after them, while Billy Bremner has a statue that stands outside the ground.

Bruce, who spent two years at Elland Road, believes the Whites have made a great decision in honouring Hunter, revealing how hugely respected he was decades after he stopped playing.

Bruce told Football Insider: “Really, really sad news. Speaking from when I was at Leeds, he was a really respected, good man who everyone spoke very highly of.

“It doesn’t surprise me that Leeds have done the right thing in naming one of the stands after him because he was such a big figure at Elland Road. He’ll be sadly missed.” 

Hunter spent 14 years at Elland Road and played 726 times for the Whites, establishing himself as a legend as part of Don Revie’s legendary Leeds side.

A centre half who also featured as a defensive midfielder, he was nicknamed ‘Bites Yer Legs’ Hunter for his tough tackling approach.

In other Leeds United news, the club are set to complete a big-money signing in July regardless of the Covid-19 pandemic.