Former Bolton boss Sam Allardyce has accused Wanderers' chairman Phil Gartside of lacking courage in their ambitions, according to a report in today's print edition of The Sun.

Sam Allardyce has blasted Gratside
Sam Allardyce has blasted Gratside

In the run-up to the release of his autobiography, The Sun have been quoting parts of his new book, with the latest instalment revealing how Big Sam's relationship with Gartside deteriorated over the final years of his reign at the then Reebok Stadium.

“My relationship with Bolton chairman Phil Gartside went downhill after the 2004 Carling Cup final against Middlesbrough,” he wrote in print edition of The Sun newspaper.

“I was taking in the atmosphere in the Millennium Stadium before the game when Phil stopped for a chat. It was clear he was worried about money.

“Do you know what, Sam? It’s been a great journey but if we win this we are going to get into Europe and I’m not sure we can afford it.

“I couldn’t believe what he’d said. I was disgusted.

“At Christmas 2006 I asked Phil for some money to add to the squad. ‘Look,’ I said. ‘We can get Bolton into the Champions League.’ “I wanted Phil to show some b***s, to go for it, to be part of the dream we had in the early days. But the courage wasn’t there.

“He got back to me and said, ‘We’ve got no money. You can loan a player, but that’s it.’ “That’s when I knew for sure it was over for me at Bolton. I was thoroughly p***ed off with the club’s attitude and handed in my letter of resignation, although they talked me into staying until the end of the season."

Allardyce did eventually resign from his position with the Whites in April 2007, a club he had put his heart and soul for eight successful years after being appointed as the manager in 1999.

“I had loved being in charge of a team that consistently over-achieved and upset the establishment by giving the elite a bloody nose.”

This will probably anger many Bolton faithful at the realisation that they could have reached the heights of Europe in the Champions League if their chairman had decided to support Big Sam's ambitions.

Bolton Wanderers, now managed by Neil Lennon, currently sit in 22nd place in the Sky Bet Championship, having accumulated eight points from ten league games so far this season.

Lennon's side face a tough trip away to Sean Dyche's Burnley at Turf Moor on Saturday, in what will be a challenging fixture for Bolton.

Bolton Wanderers fans..... What do you make of these quotes? Shocked? Let us know your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!