Birmingham boss Alex McLeish admits corruption probes have become “part of football life” after his club were engulfed in off-the-field controversy.

Battle-scarred football manager Steve Bruce today shrugged off a frightening attack outside his home by leading out his Birmingham City side as normal in the Premiership.

A pipe smoking eccentric wearing a Rupert the Bear style red and yellow waistcoat puffed his way to victory in the British Pipe Smoking Championships.