Sam Allardyce: Hometown fury at England manager's greed
Sam Allardyce has been accused of letting Dudley down after allegations were made in an undercover sting which last night saw him leave his post as England manager.
The 61-year-old, who grew up in Dudley as a Wolves fan, has been in charge of the national team for just 67 days.
He was filmed in an undercover sting by the Daily Telegraph allegedly agreeing to be paid £400,000 to offer advice on how rules could be broken on player transfers.
He left his job by mutual consent, the Football Association announced last night. In a statement, the governing body said the behaviour of Allardyce was 'inappropriate' and revealed he had 'apologised' for and accepts the 'significant error of judgment'.
"This is not a decision that was taken lightly but the FA's priority is to protect the wider interests of the game and maintain the highest standards of conduct in football," the statement said. Gareth Southgate will take charge of the England team for the next four matches.
Watch FA chief executive Martin Glenn, a Wolves fan from Aldridge, react to the depature:
Allardyce met FA chairman Greg Clarke and chief executive Martin Glenn to offer what he called a 'sincere and wholehearted apology'. "Although it was made clear during the recorded conversations that any proposed arrangements would need the FA's full approval, I recognise I made some comments which have caused embarrassment," he added.
Allardyce is due to appear in Dudley on Saturday to unveil a blue plaque for Duncan Edwards. It is unclear whether he will still attend. Dudley councillor Paul Brothwood said: "He has let the area down and he has let the great game down. Nobody wants to see Dudley's name tarnished." Of the decision to step down, he added: "It's the right decision."
Mike Wood, MP for Dudley South, said: "His actions are very disappointing."
The undercover investigation has left people stunned in Dudley, Allardyce's hometown.
Pat Butler, aged 78, who lived behind his house on Ash Green growing up, said: "It's very disappointing really, I'm sad about it.
"I knew him from when he was a boy, working with his mum when he was wee Sammy. It's not nice to have something like this happen. I was shocked, it was saddening."
Colin Brookes, chief executive of Halesowen Town, said: "It is a bit of a shock to everybody, so close to him taking over.
"I suppose he has been a bit naive. When you are in that position, you have to be careful. It's a great shame."
Allardyce was captured on camera by undercover journalists discussing how to get around FA rules on third-party ownership of players, as well as making disparaging remarks about Prince William.
Third-party ownership is where a player's economic rights are owned wholly or partly by private investors, often in partnership with the club he plays for.
The investors hope to make a profit when the player is sold on to another club.
The practice poses ethical questions about potential influence of third parties over selection and transfers.
"It was banned in England in 2008, before FIFA imposed a worldwide ban last year.
During the exchange, it's alleged Allardyce said it was 'not a problem' to bypass the rules and he knew of agents who were 'doing it all the time'.
It is further alleged that a deal was struck with the England boss worth £400,000 for him to represent the company to Far East investors and to be a speaker at events.
Wolves fan Allardyce, aged 61, grew up on the Wren's Nest estate and was educated at Sycamore Green Primary School and later at Wren's Nest School. But he left the area aged just 15 when he went to play for Bolton Wanderers. His only game in charge of England so far was 1-0 win over Slovakia on September 4.
Ken Finch, who represents the Castle and Priory ward where Allardyce first honed his football skills, came out in support of him.
He addedd: "What they are saying he has done with transfers, that has been going on in football for years, but give the bloke a chance. Nobody is perfect and everybody deserves a second chance."
Dudley MEP Bill Etheridge, who was unsuccessful in his bid for the UKIP leadership earlier this month, said he was stunned by the allegations. He said: "I was incredibly proud when a bloke from Dudley was given the England job. I'm inclined to give him the benefit of the doubt."
