Sam’s Vardy interest: Irons don’t remember that

Sam Allardyce has had senior West Ham insiders scratching their heads today after comments over his alleged interest in Leicester City and England striker Jamie Vardy whilst Irons boss.

The morning papers revealed that the former Hammers boss claimed Allardyce was advised to sign Vardy when he was in charge at the club and the player was at non-League Fleetwood — only to be beaten to his signature by Leicester City.

The new England manager told Vardy that Fleetwood’s then manager, Micky Mellon, had recommended him in 2012 but before he could follow up he had moved to Leicester.

And the striker added: ‘When I first arrived for the squad, the manager told me a little story of when I was at Fleetwood and their manager was trying to get him to sign me at West Ham.”

Given that Vardy had been top of the club’s wanted list at one stage this summer ClaretandHugh wondered if this had been part of the legacy Allardyce had left at the club and contacted its senior sources in the club.

However, unless there has been a collective memory loss none could ever remember Vardy’s name being mentioned at the time.

One very senior Hammers insder: “Blimey that’s a new one. When did Sam ever sign a non league player. He was never mentioned as a target – the first time the player’s name came up here was with the present manager in the summer.”