BBC pundit comes out of retirement to play for Lions
FORMER Wales midfielder Robbie Savage has dusted off his football boots and taken to the field once after signing for nonleague Stockport Town.
The BBC pundit has been unveiled by the Woodley-based side, who play in the North West Counties Division One South in the 10th tier of English football.
Savage, 45, who played in Manchester’s United’s ‘Class of 92’ youth team, alongside David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Gary Neville and Nicky Butt, made his debut as a late substitute on Monday evening in the 3-2 win against Oswestry Town at Stockport Sports Village and can now look forward to trips to Wythenshawe, New Mills and Abbey Hey in Gorton.
The signing came after the club were bought by the Wilmslow-based company Pro Football Academy, owned by former Oldham Athetic player Carlos Roca.
Savage helps coach the academy’s under 14s team.
The club announced the signing on Twitter on Sunday afternnon, posting: “Ok folks, our second super Sunday signing is former Welsh International @RobbieSavage8.”
“Robbie goes straight into our squad tomorrow night.”
And his BBC co-presenter, Olympic gold medal-winning hockey ace Samantha Quek, was quick to get a dig in, tweeting: “Remember you can call in to @bbc606 tonight and talk about anything football related ... ... like... say...what is the worst signing any club has made this season for example... @RobbieSavage8.”
Stockport Town manager, former Curzon Ashton and FC United player Adam Jones, said he hoped Savage will help ‘create a bit of a buzz around the place’.
He added: “Since we announced it a couple of people have messaged me asking if it’s a publicity stunt and it’s 100 per cent not. He’s as fit as a fiddle, he has a personal trainer every day.
“I’m a big believer in if you’re good enough you’re old enough and that works both way.
“Signing Robbie was a no-brainer - he has vast amount of experience and as a young manager that can only help me.
“We have a vision at the club and this is one of the first steps towards achieving that.”
Stockport Town will be hoping Savage, who won 39 caps for Wales in a professional career which saw him make 537 appearances for clubs including Blackburn Rovers, Leicester City and Birmingham City, will help them mount a promotion push in the second half of the season.
The club’s win on Monday evening moved them up to 11th in the league having won six and lost seven of their 15 league games so far. ●●SAVAGE’S cameo in Town Triumph: See Sport