When it became clear that the Blues boss was interested in bringing Bowyer to St Andrew's an online petition was set up inviting fans to vote against the signing and now the 28-year-old midfielder has decided against a move to St Andrew's because, it's claimed, he didn't want to join a club where he was not wanted by the fans.
In a statement on the clubs official website, Bruce said:"I am disappointed to hear that a minority of our supporters have decided to raise a petition against the proposed signing of Lee Bowyer.
"There is no doubt that Lee would have been an excellent acquisition for the team and I am sure that the vast majority of the fans would have welcomed a player with his ability to strengthen the squad.
"Unfortunately it now appears that he has decided that his future lies elsewhere and I can only say how disgusted I am that my decision to sign a particular player has been questioned in this manner."