Sam Allardyce used to play cliffhangers, but his most recent appearance makes him the first player to play for CBBC in the TV series Jamie Johnson FC.
The current series ended with him asking the Academy’s coach to work as his assistant, leaving viewers wondering what would happen after he made his acting debut last Thursday.
And, despite admitting to “sweaty armpit” moments, as he followed footballing greats like Eric Cantona and Vinnie Jones into the world of drama, he impressed the show’s bosses so much that his role has been extended into the next series.
Now 71, he has lost none of his competitive edge, and already has his sights set on a stint on the Cobbles. He says: “What the future holds? Corrie, who knows? Walking in the pub would be fantastic. You never know, do you?
Whatever comes along will be intriguing, no matter what character it is. I’ll just wait until Luke [his manager] rings me up and say, “I’ve got a script for you,” to see if it’s interesting. Or, it’s possible, Jamie Johnson will continue producing series after series.
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Allardyce is in good company. Marcus Rashford and Leah Williamson have had cameos in the show, which has dramatic storylines around rivalries, espionage, corrupt sponsors, tensions and friendships off the pitch. After 50 years working in football, Allardyce has taken to acting like a duck to water, saying: “I like taking myself out of my comfort zone and I thought I’d see what acting is actually like.
“Being a camera in front of my face is not a new experience for me, but writing lines for you is a new challenge.” I was definitely frightened and sweating under my arms at first sight. However, I felt much more at ease when I was asked back. I liked it and by that point I was familiar with the people I was working with, despite the longer lines I had.
With more time on his hands, since leaving Leeds United in June 2023, Allardyce has become a fan of documentaries and soaps. He says of Jamie Johnson FC : “I heard from my manager there was an opportunity where CBBC wanted me to play what started as a small part. I fancied challenging myself and seeing what the environment was like. You don’t realise how many people are behind the scenes. The pressure is all the other youngsters around watching you. I was nervous, no doubt about that. But dealing with nerves has obviously been a part of my life anyway.”
He claims that programmer Strike wanted him because of his football knowledge, and that I have spent a lot of time with them because of my character. However, I wouldn’t say that George Clooney is currently in need of a “outsider.” Allardyce would be a success, according to executive producer Sam Talbot. He claims, “We didn’t even audition Sam.” We wanted someone with a legend’s stature because he’s always had a great personality. Sam’s presence enhances the authenticity.
Allardyce, who has dyslexia, probably found the hardest part to remembering the lines. He states, “You must remember the lines as much as you can, which is the biggest challenge I’ve never encountered in football. Due to my dyslexia, I had trouble in class. Therefore, it was crucial to spend time preparing the words in my head before filming started to begin. The challenge was in translating the lines into characters and trying to say them.
“Some of the sentences I had to change a little bit were tongue-tying because they didn’t go with how I wanted to express those words.” Can I say this like this, I ask? and they would approve of it. And he thoroughly enjoyed the entire production. He claims that it’s fascinating to watch how everything operates because they are very knowledgeable. You believe you did it right, but the director says to “Just try it again like that,” or “That’s good, but try it like this.” You must try it out several times, then. They will let you know whether it is good enough or not, and they obviously felt that because I was invited back, so that’s fantastic.
Already often the subject of memes – especially after filming an Asda Christmas jumper advert and an Uber Eats one with Alan Pardew and Tony Pulis, he isn’t concerned about being mocked. He says: “The memes don’t bother me.” Allardyce is clearly comfortable in his own skin and rightly so, after a managerial career taking in Bolton, Leeds, Newcastle, West Ham and England. But he is not looking for a return to football.
He says, “I’m not actively looking, so never say never.” I’ve said that’s me done a few times in the past, and then it just seems like a few months later I’ve appeared once more. However, I enjoy No Tippy Tappy football, my podcast. The podcasting has been incredibly exciting. I simply choose what I want to do. I work on the committee and leadership positions for the League Managers Association, and I also work on Q&A.
Then, with my wife and family, I get to see places we’ve never been before. When you feel like jumping on a plane, it’s nice. I enjoy binge watching television shows and documentaries, and these days I also watch soap.
And he loves football dramas, too, of course. Ted Lasso, “he says,” is the best movie I’ve ever watched. Although I wouldn’t say it was everyone’s cup of tea, I found it to be very entertaining and funny. “I still enjoy watching football as much as I used to,” he continues. My wife is watching her programs elsewhere while I can watch two TV games on Saturday, two on Sunday, and one on Monday. You stay current with it.
He believes Jamie Johnson, who is now a grandfather, motivates kids to get outside with a ball and turn off their screens. He claims that there is no better way to exercise than to play football and get together with other people. It’s crucial to move that past, in my opinion. Unfortunately, kids’ pitches are not up to par. Children are unable to leave on the pitches at this time of year because they are flooded. That is not the case.
The volunteers who agree to manage the project and the volunteers who wash it require a lot of money to keep it going. They need more assistance, in my opinion. Additionally, there is a rise in the demand for pitches as a result of the welcome expansion of girls’ football. Every child should have a chance to play. More exercise improves their academic standing because they can concentrate a little more, and it reduces obesity.
In addition, he believes that football and acting have a lot in common, and that getting great is the best way to go. He asserts that “I think it’s as difficult to break into football as it is to break into acting.” However, I believe that theory may be overstated; in fact, practice allows one to evolve in a meaningful way.
Source: Mirror
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