Birmingham supremo laments Gartside-Allardyce spat

Birmingham chairman David Gold has described the feud between Bolton chairman Phil Gartside and former manager Sam Allardyce as “very sad.”

Gartside rounded on Allardyce before the latter returned to the Reebok Stadium yesterday as boss of Newcastle.

Gartside claimed the transfer ’bung’ allegations had damaged his club, and also felt the football being played under Allardyce had become stale.

It was Allardyce, though, who had the final say as the Magpies romped to a 3-1 victory.

Allardyce later remarked: “The Bolton chairman has been saying a lot about me and I am very disappointed with the comments he has made.

“But actions speak louder than words. We played them off the park and won the game. That answers everything for me, rather than get into a fight.”

Commenting on the soured relationship following years of success on BBC Radio 5 Live, Gold said: “It’s very sad.

“I just wonder if it would have been more prudent to have used that wonderful phrase ’no comment’.”

“Had they have started out at the beginning with no comment then there wouldn’t be this problem.

“So it really is very sad because what Sam has done for Bolton over the last six years is just short of a miracle. With limited funds he has done an amazing job.

“Equally, I must say the chairman Phil Gartside, who I have known for many years has also done a superb job.

“So here are two great men Bolton fans should feel very pleased to have had together at the same time, turning Bolton into a very serious football club.

“I feel it’s a very sad day that they are now in conflict.”