Football legend Sam Allardyce is preparing for a remarkable return to management that could see him taking charge of an amateur Sunday League team for one special day.
Big Sam's Grassroots Mission
The former England manager and Premier League veteran has joined forces with the Every Minute Matters campaign, creating a unique competition that will see one lucky local team receive his expert guidance. Big Sam, who has managed over a thousand professional matches throughout his storied career, will oversee every aspect of matchday for the winning side.
The ex-Bolton, Newcastle, West Ham, Sunderland and Everton boss will handle team selection, develop match tactics, and deliver the crucial pre-match, half-time and full-time team talks. This represents an unprecedented opportunity for amateur footballers to experience top-level management firsthand.
Lifesaving Campaign Behind the Competition
Allardyce's involvement forms part of a vital initiative by Sky Bet and the British Heart Foundation to raise awareness about life-saving CPR techniques within grassroots football communities. The pioneering Every Minute Matters campaign has already inspired more than 350,000 people to begin learning CPR since its launch in May 2024.
The manager revealed his motivation stems from the harrowing experience of Fabrice Muamba, who suffered a cardiac arrest during an FA Cup match at White Hart Lane in 2012. "I can still vividly remember what happened to Fabrice a couple of years after I left Bolton," Allardyce explained. "Thanks to immediate CPR and defibrillation, Fabrice made a full recovery."
He emphasised the critical importance of the campaign: "Most grassroots football teams don't have a medical team on site, which is why it's critical anyone who plays amateur football – at any level – knows how to perform CPR and use a defibrillator."
How to Enter the Competition
Teams interested in securing Big Sam's services must meet specific entry requirements:
- Adult over-18s men's or women's 11-a-side teams
- Walking football teams are also eligible
- Entries must include name, contact details, team name and league
The competition winner will be selected on December 1, 2025, with Sam's management session scheduled to take place between January 1 and April 30, 2026. All entries must be submitted by 12pm on December 1, 2025.
Allardyce urged everyone involved in grassroots football to take advantage of the BHF's free online training tool, RevivR: "Too many people still think you have to be a medical professional to step in, but that's simply not true. Anyone can learn these lifesaving skills and if someone collapses, you need to have the confidence to act."
This unique partnership between football expertise and vital health awareness represents an exciting opportunity for Sunday League teams across the country while promoting potentially life-saving skills within local football communities.
