Sam Allardyce to 'become England manager'

A Football Association board meeting was taking place today, following which the former Dudley schoolboy is expected to be appointed ahead of Steve Bruce - with an announcement expected on Friday.

The 61-year-old will leave Sunderland to take over the England side from Roy Hodgson following a disastrous Euro 2016 exit at the hands of Iceland.

Allardyce was born in Dudley and grew up a Wolves fan on the Wren's Nest estate, going to Sycamore Green Primary School and later Wren's Nest School.

He played a handful of games for Dudley Town's reserve team during the 1969-70 season. His brother, Bobby, remains the club's youngest-ever player.

Dudley Town chairman Stephen Austin said: "It's fantastic to see someone from our own town, who played for our club, going all the way to being England manager."

Allardyce went on to enjoy a playing career at Bolton, Huddersfield, Sunderland, Coventry, Millwall and Preston before Albion gave Allardyce his first taste of coaching in 1989.

Although that ended when he and boss Brian Talbot were sacked, he went on to forge his own path at Limerick, Blackpool and Notts County before taking over at Bolton and guiding them into Europe.

Spells at Newcastle, Blackburn, West Ham and Sunderland have followed.

Shrewsbury Town manager Micky Mellon, who played under Allardyce at Blackpool in the 1990s, believes the new national boss will be a 'great success.'

Mellon said: "What you have with Sam is a fantastic man manager. He builds brilliant relationships."