Sam Allardyce was born in Dudley in 1954. He is the current manager of Blackburn Football Club, having previously managed Sunderland FC, Bolton FC, Newcastle FC (2007), Notts County FC (1997-97), Blackpool FC (1994-96), etc. As a player, he has had a distinguished career having played for Bolton Wanderers(1971-80), Sunderland(1980-81), Millwall(1981-83) Coventry City(1983-84), Huddersfield Town(1984-85) , Bolton Wanderers(1985-86),Preston North End(1986-89),West Bromwich Albion (player-coach, 1989-91) Preston North End (player-coach,1992-93). He also had a brief stint with Tampa Bay Rowdies, USA (1983). He helped his team win the second division championship in 1978.
As manager, Bolton qualified for Uefa Cup 2007. It is also memorable that when he took charge at Bolton in 1999, the club was in the bottom of the 1st division but within a year, they were FA CUP and League Cup semi-finalists, gaining promotion to the Premiership in 2001. Allardyce ensured that the Trotters survived top flight football for the first time after 33 years. Thus, Big Sam really played a hugh role in establishing Bolton as a top flight club. His first permanent job as a coach was with Limerick.
