FORMER Wanderers boss Sam Allardyce will return to the UniBol for Gethin Jones’ MND appeal.

Allardyce will lead a Bolton All Star side against Ian Evatt’s current first-team squad on Sunday, November 14 (KO 1pm).

The match is taking place to raise funds for Gethin’s mum, Karen, who is suffering from Motor Neurone Disease.

Allardyce is looking forward to returning to the UniBol dugout and seeing some familiar faces.

“It will be great to see the old gang,” he told the club’s website. “It’s been a long time. I saw Stelios and Ricardo Gardner the other week. They popped around for a cup of tea.

“I hadn’t seen them for years so it was good to see them and at this game there will more of them to catch up with and see what they’re doing with their lives.

“It’s been a long time, so I’m looking forward to it.”

Allardyce led the Whites to promotion to the Premier League and even European qualification during his time at the club.

The former West Ham and Everton boss has fond memories of his time in the north west.

He added: “It was a great transformation in the period we had and we had some wonderful players. It was just a dream, not just for me and the players playing together but also the fans.

“I’ll never forget the atmosphere when the ‘Reebok’ was full. It was the best time a lot of them ever had and certainly one of the best I had – apart from being a player myself because nothing really substitutes that.

“That eight years was fantastic.”

Tickets for the game are available to buy on the club website and are priced at £10 for adults and £5 for over-65s and under-18s.

The Jones family are aiming to raise funds to cover costs for treatment in the United States and research into the disease through the Darby Rimmer Foundation.

The club is also hosting a black-tie charity dinner at the Lion of Vienna suite from 7pm on Saturday, November 13.


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