SAM Allardyce has spoken of the “honour and privilege” of working alongside Phil Gartside during the Premier League glory days at Wanderers.

Big Sam, now in charge of Sunderland, was one half of a partnership that guided the Whites to an unprecedented four consecutive top eight finishes in the Premier League and into European competition for the first time in its history.

And though the two men failed to see eye-to-eye for a long while before Allardyce resigned from the club in April 2007, leading to a bitter war of words in the years that followed, it is understood there had been attempts from both sides in recent times to bury the hatchet.

Gartside passed away this week after a short battle with cancer, leading Allardyce to reflect on the times he had enjoyed alongside his former chairman, leading the club out of the second tier and bloodying the noses of the Premier League elite.

“Our journey from 1999, when he first became chairman, was a journey that fulfilled our dreams together,” said Allardyce.

“It became one fantastic journey that we enjoyed together.

“It was sad to hear of the illness first, and then devastating news of how quickly he lost the fight.

“Of course, my condolences go out to Carol and the family.

“At 63, it's no age at all, particularly with how fit he was getting.

“When I talked to him, he was riding his bike and doing 20 miles a day or so, and then all of a sudden he was struck by this illness and then two months later he lost the fight."

Allardyce revealed the deterioration of his relationship with Gartside in his recent autobiography, where he had accused his former chairman of lacking ambition to take Wanderers on to the next level.

But the 61-year-old, whose side are fighting to avoid relegation in the Premier League, admits Gartside's passing has given him a different perspective.

“Football is only a game in the end," he said. "I know it becomes part of your life and you can't do without it, but when somebody has that illness, it's nothing to do with football. But the journey we had will be remembered by me forever.

“Yes, we had our times when we didn't agree, but I wouldn't dwell on them whatsoever - just the memories we had of building a great club at that time, with some great players.

“It was an absolute honour and a privilege for me at that time.”