Sam Seeks Considerable Funding

By Mark Heys
May 8 2006

Sam Allardyce is set to hold talks with the Bolton Wanderers hierarchy to see what funding will be made available to him in the summer.

Allardyce has promised big changes to his squad during the close season and is looking to his chairman Phil Gartside and owner Eddie Davies to provide the necessary funds needed to get Bolton back into the UEFA Cup.

The Wanderers cheif has been earmarked for jobs at North East duo Newcastle United and Middlesbrough recently, both of whom have considerable financial clout which eclipses what he is currently getting at the Reebok Stadium.

In six years in charge with the Trotters the outspoken Allardyce has only paid fees for a small fraction of players, with the capture of El-Hadji Diouf from Liverpool last summer being his most significant at an undisclosed amount rumoured to be between the £3 million and £4 million mark.

"I'll be sitting down in the close season with the chairman and the owner. I want to discuss our commitment going into next season and what funds will be available to strengthen the squad and take us forward." said Allardyce to the Daily Telegraph

Jay-Jay Okocha and Bruno N'Gotty are the first high profile names to leave Bolton after being told their contracts won't be renewed. Further decisions are expected throughout this week over the futures of a number of other off contract players.