Ferguson welcomes Allardyce to 1,000 Club

Sam Allardyce has been welcomed into the League Managers Association Hall of Fame by Sir Alex Ferguson as he prepares to take charge of his 1,000th match.

The Everton boss will become only the 31st man in the modern era to reach the milestone when his side face West Brom at Goodison Park on Saturday afternoon.

Ahead of the landmark game, former Bolton and Crystal Palace manager Allardyce has also been added to the LMA’s esteemed list of managers, joining legends including Brian Clough, Sir Bobby Robson and Arsene Wenger.

After spending nine years as a player at Bolton, Allardyce returned as boss in 1999 and led the club to the Premier League before establishing them in the top-flight.

Speaking about Allardyce, Ferguson said: ‘I would like to welcome my good friend Sam into the LMA’s Hall of Fame and 1000 Club. It is an extraordinary milestone, one that takes an amazing amount of resilience and dedication to reach.

‘Sam has been one of the country’s most forward thinking managers with the ability to get the very best out of his teams throughout the years, which makes him a top coach and a great leader.

‘I’m so pleased he is to receive the recognition for all he has done as a manager and I congratulate him whole heartedly for this achievement.’

After leaving Bolton in 2007, Allardyce went on to have spells at Newcastle United, Blackburn Rovers, West Ham, Sunderland and Crystal Palace before coming out of retirement to manage Everton in November last year.

He also took charge of one game as England manager in 2016.

LMA chairman, Howard Wilkinson, added: ‘I am delighted to induct Sam into the LMA Hall of Fame and 1000 Club and recognise his exceptional career to date.

‘Anyone who manages at the top level for as long as Sam, knows of the sacrifices required of a modern day football manager and Sam is a manager who has given nothing less than 100 per cent at every club he has represented.

‘His steady climb from player manager at Limerick to jobs in each of the four English leagues clearly demonstrates his commitment to learning, his desire to improve and his resilience.

‘In his role as an LMA Committee member, Sam has embodied the very best of football management and coaching, he has championed the success of his peers and he has been a valued member of the association and will continue to be so for many years to come.

‘I thank him for his input over the past 20 years and wish him the absolute best in his future career with Everton Football Club.’