"Obviously I have got some great memories of Bolton Wanderers.
Big Sam On Wanderers Return
"Obviously I have got some great memories of Bolton Wanderers.
"Bolton is where I have spent the biggest part of my life, even though I wasn't born there.
"I had 18 years there and the biggest thing is that I will have some great memories.
"Memories that will stay with me for the rest of my life.
"Memories that will stay with me for the rest of my life.
"I had seven-and-a- half years as manager of Bolton and I hardly had a bad day in all that time.
"But those memories will be pushed to one side on Saturday.
"I will be thoroughly professional in my job as manager of Newcastle United.
"I have been focused all week preparing my side for what is bound to be a difficult opening fixture for us.
"And perhaps one day I will have as many great memories of Newcastle United as I have of Bolton Wanderers and that got to one of my aims."
Allardyce is clearly well prepared himself for Saturday to such an extent that he made sure he moved into his new home on Tyneside earlier this week.
He resigned as Bolton boss just before the end of as season, and was quickly installed to replace Glenn Roeder within a week of the close season starting.
And he admits he does not know what kind of reception the Bolton fans will give him at the Reebok Stadium.
The United boss added: "I am not so sure what kind of reception I will receive from the Wanderers supporters. Some will be supportive of me and what I did, and I suppose some will not be so supportive.
"But nobody down there will be able to point any fingers at me or question what I did for Bolton Wanderers."
Come on everyone - he deserves a thank you.