Sam Allardyce says time at Bolton with Phil Gartside was a 'magical journey'
Friday 12 February 2016 08:24, UK
Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce has paid tribute to Bolton chairman Phil Gartside, who died on Wednesday following a battle with cancer.
Allardyce spent eight years working with Gartside at Wanderers and despite the manner of his departure from Bolton in 2007, he has fond memories of his time at the club.
"It was obviously devastating news for them and me. I was aware of the illness but kept that close to myself and obviously my condolences go out to the family," said Allardyce.
"My memories are great, even though later on we may not have seen eye-to-eye. The journey we took from 1999 to 2007 was magical and we took that journey together.
"My time is the happy times that I spent with Phil from 1999, when I joined the club on my 45th birthday.
"We did dream together where we might go and we actually took our dreams to be a reality, so I'll always have those memories.
"We basically rebuilt a football club that achieved great success and those are the memories I have of Phil."
