Robbie Savage

**Last statistical update: n/a**

**Robbie Savage** is a footballer who played for **Hashtag United** (men).

After playing for the year 4 school football team as a year 2 student, by the age of 11 Savage was appearing as a striker for Llay United in the Wrexham & District Junior League; amassing 74 goals in 28 games across a season. Aged 13, the forward was attached to Crewe Alexandra's Centre of Excellence in England and to local Welsh team Bradley Youth; who were managed by his father Colin, up until he quit after being assaulted on the pitch as a referee by a player's mother. Prior to that incident occurring when he was aged 16, Savage was officially signed by English side Manchester United on 12 October 1988.

At the age of 16, after his father's departure from Bradley Youth, Savage switched to rivals Brickfield Rangers. At around that time, he started appearing in the Wrexham Senior League with men's team Lex Glyndwr XI. At one point, Savage was featuring for Brickfield, Lex and Manchester United concurrently, as well as for his school team. At the *The Red Devils*, the forward became part of the illustrious Class of '92; despite not making it at senior level. Savage was released by United in 1994, having been told by Sir Alex Ferguson that the club had better striking options. Upon leaving the meeting with Ferguson, Savage was hospitalised after being involved in a car crash. Whilst in hospital, via a phone call, he was signed by Dario Gradi's Crewe Alexandra. Also after United, Savage debuted for Lex Glyndwr XI's reserves.

Crewe Alexandra
Savage made his debut as a senior player in the 1994–95 season with Second Division team Crewe Alexandra, remaining until the end of the 1996–97 campaign. *The Railwaymen* made the play-offs in each season, eventually sealing promotion in his final year with the club as he participated 45 times and scored 1 goal; on 7 September 1996 versus AFC Bournemouth. During his time with Crewe, Savage became a midfielder.

Leicester City
In August 1997, after he had submitted a transfer request, Savage completed a move to Premiership club Leicester City. He made his competitive debut for *The Foxes* on 9 August 1997 in a 1–0 home victory over Aston Villa, which preceded further appearances that month against Liverpool, ex-club Manchester United, Arsenal and Sheffield Wednesday - as they almost went August unbeaten, prior to losing to *The Owls*. His 1st goal arrived on 13 December in an away loss to Southampton, which came before goals in the opening portion of 1998 versus Northampton Town (cup) and Wimbledon. Across 1998–99 and 1999–00, as they lost and won a Worthington Cup final, Savage netted twice (against Aston Villa and Newcastle United) as he took his match tally to 127.

Savage featured 39 times in 2000–01, as he had his best goalscoring campaign with *The Foxes* after converting in encounters with Manchester City, Leeds United, West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur. 38 appearances arrived in his last season with Leicester City in 2001–02, which concluded with relegation.

Birmingham City
As Leicester City left the top-flight, Savage remained in the Premiership with promoted Birmingham City; penning terms in May 2002. His official bow for the *Blues* came on 28 August as they drew away at Everton. He netted 4 goals in his 1st campaign there, the opening 2 of which occurred in home and away fixtures with Bolton Wanderers; with the others coming against Chelsea and Charlton Athletic. His penultimate season saw him score versus Leeds United, Tottenham Hotspur and Middlesbrough. Savage remained with the club until midway through 2004–05, departing in January 2005 following strikes against Portsmouth, Lincoln City, Blackburn Rovers, West Bromwich Albion and Fulham. He requested a move in order to return closer to home to take care of his unwell parents.

Blackburn Rovers
January 2005 saw Savage complete a tranfer to fellow Premiership outfit Blackburn Rovers. He made 13 appearances from that month up until the season's end, starting with a loss to Bolton Wanderers and concluding with a draw at Tottenham Hotspur. In 2005–06, Savage was sent off in the top-flight for the 1st time - as he was given his marching orders in a 18 March 2006 victory at home to Middlesbrough. 2 months later, the midfielder scored his opening *Rovers* goal in a 19 April defeat away to former team Birmingham City; who were soon relegated, as Savage's current club qualified for the UEFA Cup. In 2006–07, he scored in that aforementioned competition on 2 occasions - in Austria against Red Bull Salzburg and in Poland versus Wisła Kraków as they reached the round of 32.

Savage departed *Rovers* in January 2008, having took part in a total of 100 official matches during his time at Ewood Park.

Derby County
Derby County of the Premier League captured the services of Savage in January 2008. He appeared 17 times as *The Rams* suffered relegation to the Championship, having only taken 11 points - an all-time record low for England's top division - from the campaign. Savage remained with them in tier 2, sticking put for 3 seasons as they placed 18th, 14th and 19th. During that period, the midfielder scored twice - once in season 1 versus Doncaster Rovers, twice in the next against Queens Park Rangers and Sheffield United and 4 in 2010–11 versus Preston North End (billed as his 600th career match), Portsmouth, Cardiff City and Coventry City. Savage retired at the season's finish.

Brighton & Hove Albion (loan)
In October 2008, Savage agreed a 1-month loan deal with Brighton & Hove Albion. He made 7 appearances in all competitions for the League One club.

Wales
Having previously featued for their youth teams, Savage made his senior international debut for Wales on 15 November 1995 at Arena Kombëtare as *The Dragons* drew 1–1 with Albania in UEFA Euro 1996 qualifying. In his 6th cap, on 20 August 1997, the midfielder netted his 1st goal in a 1998 FIFA World Cup qualifier at the Ali Sami Yen Stadium versus Turkey - as the hosts won 6–4. His next, and final, goal for Wales came on 5 September 2001 in a 2002 FIFA World Cup qualifying loss away to Norway at the Ullevaal Stadion. In 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifying, Savage was sent off in his penultimate match for his country as they drew at home to Northern Ireland. He retired in March 2005, following an reported spat with manager John Toshack.

### HTU

2016–18
Ahead of the 2017 Wembley Cup final, Savage was assigned to HTU's squad for the showpiece match with Tekkers Town. He was subsequently substituted on at Wembley Stadium, as *The Tags* came away with a 6–1 win.

### Post-HTU

Stockport Town
Savage, at the age of 45, joined North West Counties League - Division One South team Stockport Town in November 2019; having known owners Pro Football Academy. He debuted on 25 November as a late substitute in a victory over league leaders Oswestry Town, which turned out to be his only game for *The Lions*.

## Personal Life

Savage works in the football media, notably appearing on the BBC and on ESPN/BT Sport. He attended Ysgol Bryn Alyn. Savage married Sarah Element on 1 June 2002. They have 2 children, including Charlie - a professional footballer, who also played in the youth ranks at Manchester United. He notably commentated for BT Sport when Charlie made his UEFA Champions League debut for *The Red Devils* against Young Boys in late-2021. His father, Colin, died in 2012 following a battle with Pick's disease; with Savage working as an ambassador for the Alzheimer's Society. In 2014, he was awarded an honorary fellowship by Wrexham Glyndŵr University. Since October 2020, Savage has worked on the board at Macclesfield.

## HTU Statistics

Breakdown

'*Other Cups' includes competitions like the FA Trophy, the FA Vase and friendly tournaments. See also: HTUwiki:DataIssues.*

Appearance (1)
Hashtag United  v  Tekkers Town

## External Links

* National Football Teams
* Soccerbase
* Soccerway
* Wikipedia
* World Football

## References

1. ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 "Robbie Savage" (archived) , 3 January 2009.
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "Savage!: The Robbie Savage Autobiography" .
3. ↑ "From Brymbo to Chirk and Queen's Park to Gresford Athletic ...great Welsh National Football League memories come flooding back" , 25 July 2020.
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "End of an era for Wrexham man Robbie Savage" , 7 May 2011.
5. ↑ "Savage requests transfer from Birmingham" , 3 January 2005.
6. ↑ "Brighton capture Savage on loan" , 2 October 2008.
7. ↑ "Robbie Savage signs for Stockport Town in 10th tier" , 24 November 2019.
8. ↑ "Stockport Town Club Information Page" (archived) .
9. ↑ "Robbie Savage makes Stockport Town debut after eight years out of football" (archived) , 25 November 2019.
10. ↑ "Robbie Savage Now - Ex Leicester City - Pundit - Commentator" .
11. ↑ "Robbie Savage commentates on son Charlie as he makes Man United debut in Champions League" , 8 December 2021.
12. ↑ "Robbie Savage takes part in Alzheimer's run in Derbyshire" , 2 September 2012.
13. ↑ "Robbie Savage gets honorary fellowship from Glyndwr Uni" , 29 October 2014.
14. ↑ "Macclesfield FC: Robert Smethurst takes over club as Robbie Savage joins board" , 29 October 2014.