A mysterious 10ft-high artwork of former North East football manager Sam Allardyce eating a large bag of chips has appeared on a wall near a fast food shop in his home town, sparking speculation about its creator.
The mural of the 70-year-old former Sunderland and Newcastle United manager is believed to have been pasted onto a wall in Union Street in the centre of Dudley, West Midlands, on Wednesday.
It shows the former England boss lifting a partially battered orange chip – a local speciality – to his mouth, while wearing his trademark touchline suit and tie.
Allardyce, who was born and raised in Dudley and managed other clubs including Everton and Bolton Wanderers, has thanked whoever is behind the artwork.
In a video message issued to ITV News, he said: “Just seen the mural that has been sent of me in Dudley, my home town. Absolutely privileged to be honest with you, I thought it was a very good likeness.
“Chips look a bit hot, but I really enjoyed seeing it. Whoever did it, thank you very much!”
A shopper passing the mural on Friday said it was nice to see something paying tribute to someone who was proud of their roots in Dudley.
“It’s a bit odd as it doesn’t have a slogan or any words, but it brightens up the place,” the man said.
A local worker, who asked not to be named and admitted he did not know who was depicted in the mural, described it as “the randomest thing I’ve ever seen”.
The man said: “Who is it? It’s just weird, it doesn’t make sense and it needs to go.”
Allardyce signed for Sunderland as a player in July 1980 and was made club captain, but he lasted just one season on Wearside.
He has had a colourful managerial career, which included a turbulent seven-month spell at Newcastle United from May 2007.
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He returned to Sunderland as manager in 2015, replacing Dick Advocaat when they were sitting 19th in the Premier League.
He successfully led Sunderland to safety from relegation after beating Everton 3–0 on May 11, 2016, a result which ensured the relegation of his former club Newcastle.
Allardyce left Sunderland to become manager of the England national team, but left after just 67 days following allegations of malpractice.
