Big Sam

By: Sam Allardyce

Narrated by: Jonathan Keeble, Colleen Prendergast

Length: 10 hrs and 8 mins

Publisher's Summary

Football fans will love this insight into the life and mind of Big Sam. With nearly 20 years as a player - plus almost 25 years as a coach and manager - under his belt, Sam Allardyce is one of the most recognisable figures in British football.

'Big Sam' has been a robust defensive general throughout the seventies and eighties, and an imposing touchline presence as a gaffer since 1994. 

Over the last four decades, Allardyce has seen it all. The game he so loves is radically different to that in which he made his debut back in 1973, and in telling his wonderfully colourful story for the very first time, Allardyce talks intriguingly about the changing face of players and managers. His autobiography positively crackles with characteristic insight, honesty and hard-hitting opinions.

©2015 Sam Allardyce (P)2015 Headline Digital

Awesome book

One of the best books on soccer I have listened to. Really enjoyed the book

Great character. Open and Honest Biography

Firstly, I assume that you are interested in English football (soccer) to get so far as to read this review. If you are not interested in football, this book most likely won't be for you, even though Sam is a really interesting character.. Me, I love football, and I loved this book.

This audiobook lasts for over 10 hours, but it felt like no time at all. I loved listening to this. There are...
- Some great insights into his playing days. Wow, how the world has changed so quickly from his days as a player
- Stories from his roller coaster life of difficult and good times
- A few moments of laughter from some funny little stories from the training field and dressing room. I'm sure there must be hundreds more though.
- Honest opinions on other managers and characters from the world of football
- His opinions on the way the game is developing.
- Open details of his personal and family life.

I can understand why he has been a successful manager. Sam is simply a great character and he communicates in a straight forward no nonsense way, and I liked that in this book.

Just a word of warning. There is some use of strong language used in this book, as the stories from the dressing room and contract negotiations etc. get told.

The book tells the story up to the end of his West Ham days. I'm already looking forward to a Part 2 that tells of him coming out of retirement to save Sunderland from relegation and of course...he is manager of England now!

Masterful tactician

Sam was and still is a brilliant manger and for those of you who think likewise should read this book and allow Allardyce to explain how he's not a long ball coach. He uses his players strengths and exploits his opponents weaknesses as a great tactician would. Throughly love this book and highly recommend it!

great listen and narration

great narration, understanding of the speach and context of European football. enlightening to listen. thanks

Bad voice

Good book and well written

Shame about the annoying voice who's attempt at a Sam pseudo Black Country accent was incredibly annoying

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Fascinating insight into the game.

Some really interesting experiences shared by Sam. Comes across as down to earth with a no nonsense approach to the game and life. I've often wondered how he would have worked out at Newcastle if given more time and had the football been better.

if Sam is half as good as he reckons Sunderland will be in good hands.

I enjoyed the reading, kept it moving and held my interest. Would recommend.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Big Sam's grand slam!!

Big Sam's always been one of those colourful characters in football. Kick n rush amongst other things said about him. I was intrigued after seeing him do amazing things at Bolton and also gobsmacked he left West Ham having done brilliantly.....so bought his book.
What an absolute breath of fresh air!!! Honest, funny, insightful. Very interesting reading Sam's take on things that were in papers 're England job, doing the right thing, and his insight into players and the revelation of his ground-breaking use of preperation for games and optimising players abilities.I have come to admire, respect and warm to the big man and will smile when I see him being interviewed from now on.. Lynn's take on things at the end is great too. Great listen. Narrator is great.....but did notice the drop from Northern accent to black country a few times, but definitely felt it was Big Sam telling his story.

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

old school football told the old school way

As someone who was brought up and to some extent played old school football it was enjoyable to relate experiences from the book to my footballing experiences of days gone by.

fantastic read

very enjoyable book. great insight in to the footballing world. well worth a read. m

Loved it, top man!

Although a Sunderland supporter and one that believes Sam would have been the difference should he had stayed, the book is honest and a great read. Well Done Sam all the best for the future.

Loved it

Love the book, Big Sam entertaining as always definitely recommend it. Seen unfortunately as a negative manager but as this book shows he was ahead of his time

Pleasantly surprised

Really good insight into sam away from the cameras. Well worth a read.

Great perspective for a Bolton and West ham fan.

Enjoying it.....

But who is the guy reading it? He reads the book in a Lancashire accent, then every so often throws in a bit of Brummie, as if someone's reminding him where Sam is from. It's quite bizarre.
Anyway, it's a cracking book.

Good read, but needs updated

Good memoir and well narrated in true Allardyce style. Could lose the chapter by his wife, and be usefully updated to include, England, Palace and Everton.

But like big Sam, does what it says on the tin.