SAM Allardyce who left his position as the England national football team manager after being caught up in corruption allegations has said he was just just trying to help out a "down on his luck" Scots agent.

Scott McGarvey, the man who introduced Allardyce to undercover reporters he believed were businessmen representing a firm of investors has denied any inpropriety and has said he intends to defend his reputation.

Secretly-filmed video footage appeared to show Allardyce making numerous controversial remarks about subjects varying from circumventing FA regulations over third party player ownership to side work to his employers.

The Herald:

Allardyce said "entrapment has won" after he stepped down as manager of England just 67 days after The Daily Telegraph said he advised undercover reporters posing as businessmen how to "get around" player transfer rules.

The English Football Association called his conduct "inappropriate" and said his contract was ended by mutual consent.

Mr McGarvey, a former Manchester United and Scotland under 21 international, was said by his solicitor to have been "shocked" by the turn of events.

He is said to have arranged the meeting for the 61-year-old England manager with what turned out to be a fictitious firm in good faith.

Allardyce has denied money was his primary motivating factor in meeting the 'businessmen', and has insisted he did so as a favour to an old friend [McGarvey] who was "down on his luck".

The Herald:

He said the pair had known each other for 20 to 30 years and he was "trying to help him out".

In responding to the his departure said: "On reflection it was a silly thing to do.

"I was trying to help someone out I knew for 30 years and unfortunately it was an error in judgement on my behalf.

"Entrapment has won on this occasion."

The Daily Telegraph has rejected Allardyce's entrapment claim saying their investigation was part of a long-running probe into English football that started long before he took the England manager's job in July.

The Daily Telegraph claims the first meeting was organised by Glasgow-born McGarvey at the May Fair Hotel in London on August 19.

The Herald:

Glasgow-born McGarvey as said to be involved when Allardyce met two undercover reporters posing as businessmen last week, with the England boss expressing his discomfort when, according to the Telegraph, McGarvey turned the subject to paying people to secure business.

Allardyce is shown putting a napkin over his head and calling the agent a "stupid man". Later in the meal, McGarvey is reported to say "no, no I wouldn't go down there" in reference to paying individuals.

Graham Small, a partner at Manchester-based JMW Solicitors, representing McGarvey, said his client had been "naive" and is denying comments being attributed to him.

The Herald:

"Mr McGarvey has admitted being eager to impress what he believed to be prospective employers and, in doing so, had perhaps embellished certain comments made during the meetings in question.

"However, he vehemently denies making remarks which are being attributed to him. Some, including his apparently having done business with certain club managers, are simply not borne out by fact.

"Mr McGarvey had merely helped arrange meetings in good faith to further what he believed to be a legitimate business venture.

"He was so convinced by the job offer made to him that, far from profiting from these exchanges, he even incurred debts trying to support the development of the new project.

"As soon as a series of allegations were put to him, he responded immediately and in full and, furthermore, has made clear his willingness to help those leading the investigation announced by the Football Association establish the truth of what happened.

"Given that he is still involved in the football industry, he is rightly concerned about the possibility of his good name being impugned and he intends to vigorously defend his reputation."

The Herald:

McGarvey was involved with Celtic Boys Club before he decided to join Manchester United's youth set up at the age of 15. The striker went on to made 35 appearances for United scoring five goals.