SAM Allardyce could rarely be accused of sentimentality, or indeed of putting the romanticism of FA Cup football above his league obligations during his time with Wanderers.

In 2006, however, the last two minutes of a one-sided FA Cup third round tie at Watford saw the hulking Bolton boss turn from Big Sam to a Big Softy.

For youth teamer Sam Ashton, the 19-year-old Breightmet lad, simply being taken along on first team duties was itself a dream come true. But with the team leading 3-0 thanks to goals from Jared Borgetti, Stelios and Ricardo Vaz Te, and the game heading into injury time, the former Withins School pupil got a tap on the shoulder he will never forget.

“I was sat there in a keeper’s kit enjoying the game and I could see Jimmy Phillips in Sam’s ear,” he told The Bolton News. “Next thing I know, Sam turned around and said ‘get changed’.

“I just thought ‘what is happening?’ I had to run into the tunnel and start stripping off to put the white kit on, hopping about with shin pads and stuff.

“Then up goes my number and it’s Borgetti coming off. The fans are singing my name. I’ll never forget it.”

Injuries, suspensions and international call-ups had hit hard but Bolton were still able to name a line-up containing nine full and two under-21 internationals at Vicarage Road.

On the eve of the game Frenchman Martin Djetou had informed the club he would not be staying – and so was out of the picture – and with regular number one Jussi Jaaskelainen told to stay at home and rest, the bench had a decidedly youthful look about it.

Bolton’s goalkeeper ranks were packed with talent. Big Finn Jaaskelainen led the way but Allardyce could also call on the experience of ex-England international Ian Walker and the emerging Ali Al-Habsi.

Ashton was destined to be released at the end of the season but Allardyce was aware of his attachment to Wanderers, a club he had supported from birth, and was impressed by the extra work he had undertaken over the festive period.

“From Christmas they often let the younger players back home but because I was one of the local lads, I came in to look after the first team, who had a game against Manchester United on Boxing Day,” Ashton, now 31, explained.

“I played at right-back for most of the week and did pretty well. I have always been comfortable with the ball at my feet. But then next thing I know Fred Barber taps me on the shoulder and says I’m in the first team squad.

“I couldn’t believe what he was saying. It wasn’t until I turned up at training again the next morning and set-up to train with the keepers that Big Sam shouted over ‘no you’re not – you’re coming over here with us!”

Ashton still has both kits from the day – outfield and goalkeeper – and the match programme but thinks back to the seconds he spent on the pitch and wonders if he could have had more.

“I remember feeling really annoyed coming off the pitch because Sam had shouted at me that he’d give me £100 if I scored,” he said. “Vaz Te could have played me through. I’d made a good run and would have been through on goal but he put the pass out of play.”

Ashton’s post-Bolton career has been spent in the non-leagues, playing a huge part in the progress of FC United and claiming another magical FA Cup moment when he saved Elliott Bennett’s penalty at Brighton in 2010 to book a second round replay.

He spent five years with Chorley, the last of which was hampered by a serious knee injury. But this summer he is preparing to start again at Ramsbottom United.

“I was playing well at Chorley before the injury,” he said. “I’d gone to Rammy initially to help with rehab and the plan had been to go back to Victory Park for another year.

"But I’m nearly 32, we’ve just had a little girl and to play for a club five minutes down the road is perfect. I’ll be able to get a season ticket at Wanderers soon, too!”

Ashton works as a special needs worker at Ladywood School alongside his non-league career. And brief though his Wanderers debut was, he is only too happy to recall every single moment.

“It meant everything to me. I was on a high for two or three years after it happened," he said. "It was something I'd dreamed about from being a little kid.

“At the end of the day, how many of my mates can say they have played for Bolton? Because I can.”