Newcastle United Manager: 2007-08 Position: Centre-Back Clubs Played For: Bolton Wanderers (1973-80 and 1985-86), Sunderland (1980-81), Millwall (1981-83), Tampa Bay Rowdies (1983), Coventry City (1983-84), Huddersfield Town (1984-85), Preston North End (1986-89 and 1992), West Bromwich Albion (1989-91), Limerick (1991-92) League Appearances (Goals): 479 (32) International Side (Caps/Goals): N/A Honours (As A Player): 1977-78 Second Division Title (Bolton Wanderers A solid centre-back, but nothing more - and that's partially where the nickname "Big Sam" came from. Allardyce was always just a decent defender but he didn't earn any international honours and he played a large portion of his career in the second tier. Playing for Newcastle's bitter rivals Sunderland early on in his career, Allardyce has been a far-greater success as a manager than he was as a player.