Sam Allardyce: 'Big Sam was my Best Man'

Yet that is exactly what Brian Milner from Dudley can proudly say now that his childhood friend Sam Allardyce has taken on arguably the biggest job in English football.

"I want to say how proud we are of Sam and how much we are all supporting him. He still has a lot of friends around here," says 61-year-old Brian.

He still lives in the same house on Ash Green in Dudley, across the communal green from where Allardyce grew up at number one. It was on that very grass that they used to play football together with other neighbouring children.

The pair both attended Sycamore Green Primary School and then went on to do their secondary education at Wren's Nest School, later known as Mons Hill School.

"We used to muck about and play 20-a-side on the green. We had some fun and Sam was always a good friend. He was loyal. From the age of about three to around 15 he was like a brother, because we grew up together," remembers Brian.

It was at the age of 15 that Allardyce, who was already impressing at Dudley Town, was spotted by a Bolton Wanderers scout and made the move up north. However that wasn't the end of his and Brian's friendship.

Then came the weddings. "I got married in May 1974 and he got married in June. My wedding was at a registry office in Dudley, and his was a big do in a castle in Cheshire. He must have been in the first team at Bolton by then. I can't believe it was 42 years ago."

Of course since then Allardyce has moved from pitch to touchline, and the delight that Brian feels towards his friend's managerial success was evident from the fact that he was watching rolling news coverage of 'Big Sam's' appointment when the Express & Star came to interview him.

Perhaps his famously tall stature was an indication that he was destined to reach great heights. Brian adds: "He has always been big Sam. He was 5ft 10 by the time he was 11, and he was as big as the teachers at our school. He was always a giant of a man. I remember he used to like going in goal because of his height."

Early on he also showed that he was prepared to put in the hard work. "He had got the determination," says Brian. "He would take on all sorts of jobs - these footballers would laugh now - but he would think nothing of cutting grass for someone."

Although they haven't seen each other in person for many years now, Brian is still in regular contact through Facebook with Lynn Allardyce, who has been keeping him updated with his friend's career, including his latest appointment.

Brian is now looking forward to watching future England matches with his old mate at the helm. He himself is a factory worker at Pressvess in Kingswinford, but for many years enjoyed playing in community teams, and has passed his love of football on to his three children and four grandsons.

In fact his eldest grandson Raymond Milner is showing promise at Dudley Town. "He has only just turned 17 but he is already playing in the adult team, and he won the Dudley College Sports Player of the Year," says his grandfather proudly. "And Kyle, who is 11, plays for Lye Town."

Meanwhile if you want to hear from a pundit who has his fair share of background knowledge on the new England manager, look no further than Brian. Lamenting our exit from the Euros, he adds: "Don't worry. Sam will tighten up that defence."