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Sam Allardyce: Dudley-born England manager to reveal plaque honouring Manchester United star Duncan Edwards

Black Country-born England manager Sam Allardyce is set to unveil a blue plaque commemorating Dudley footballing hero Duncan Edwards.

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The ceremony will take place at the Pavilion in Priory Park, Dudley, on October 1.

Duncan Edwards lived on the Priory estate and signed for Manchester United as a teenager. He became the youngest player to play in the Football League First Division and then the youngest England player since the Second World War, before his life was tragically cut short as a result of injuries sustained in the Munich Air Crash in February 1958.

Sam Allardyce, known as 'Big Sam', was born locally on the Old Park Farm Estate and spent his youth playing for Dudley Town before training with West Bromwich Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

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He carved out a notable career as a professional footballer and team manager before taking on the role as England manager earlier this year.

He said: "On behalf of The FA and England, it is a great honour for me to be asked to take part in such a noteworthy occasion. I look forward to returning home and seeing many familiar faces as we commemorate one of English football's greatest ever players."

The blue plaque

Dudley North MP Ian Austin has been working with Councillor Dave Tyler and members of the community to honour Duncan Edwards with the plaque at Priory Park - where he honed his skills near to his childhood home on the Priory Estate.

Councillor Tyler and Ian Austin launched an appeal to pay for it, which is being funded with generous donations from residents, Manchester United, Wolverhampton Wanderers and West Bromwich Albion.

The plaque has been designed by Dudley Artist Steve Field.

Ian Austin MP said: "For anyone like me, who grew up in Dudley, the name of Duncan Edwards is synonymous with the town and your childhood; your school competed for the Duncan Edwards Cup; you saw the stained glass windows at St Francis's Church.

"We are all so grateful for the generous donations from local people and Manchester United, Wolverhampton Wanderers and West Bromwich Albion to enable local hero Duncan Edwards to be commemorated with a blue plaque."

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