OUR Pride of Bolton Campaign is gathering pace with support from all sections of the town.

One of Bolton's famous faces, Wanderers' manager and Brummie Sam Allardyce has been connected to the town as man and boy.

Here he gives his views of what makes Bolton a proud place to live and work in an interview with Richard Mulligan.

Q: What do you love about Bolton?

SAM: I started my career in the town back in the 1970s and from the outset the public have always made me welcome. Since I came back to the town as manager they have backed my efforts to build a top class football team. I class myself as a Boltonian, even thought I was born in the West Midlands.

Q: What makes you proud?

SAM: The biggest thing that makes me proud is that Bolton has one of the best landmarks in the country -- the magnificent Reebok Stadium. It is arguably the most sophisticated stadium in the country with the best facilities in the North of England. My proudest moment was standing on the Town Hall steps when we won the championship in 1978.

Q: What is your favourite place?

SAM: It has to be the Jumbles, a fantastic place outside town. The nature reserve and reservoir are quite breathtaking and I enjoy walking there and taking in the magnificent scenery. In addition, I have to say the Reebok is also a favourite of mine and the people of Bolton should be proud.

Q: What is special about Bolton compared to other places?

SAM: The number of friends I have acquired over the years springs to mind. Many of these friends are non-football people and their friendship has never waned, even when I moved out of town for a while.

Q: How do you feel the town has the town changed?

SAM:The changes that I have seen have been gradual over a period of time. The new town centre development was a positive move and now the town can be proud of its vibrant shopping precincts. The Middlebrook Retail Park is quite unique and offers the public a new experience of shopping. The town is ready to be given city status.

Q: What improvements could be made?

SAM: The biggest improvement would be for the council to back our bid for a football academy in Bolton. We do not want this facility to go outside the town because it is important we can offer this facility for up and coming players and for the community in general.