ROBBIE SAVAGE made his Stockport Town debut tonight – eight years after retiring from football.
And the 45-year-old former Leicester and Birmingham midfielder showed he had lost none of his passion for the Beautiful Game after barracking an official.
Robbie Savage is back in football and made his debut at the age of 45 for Stockport Town on Monday nightCredit: Rex Features
That was as he watched on from the bench after being named as a substitute for the North West Counties First Division South clash at home to FC Owestry Town.
But it was soon time to lace up the old boots and make his grand entrance onto the Stockport Sports Village turf.
“Robert Savage”, as he was named on the team-sheet, joined the tenth-tier game with around 20 minutes to go with his new team 3-2 up.
And he managed to marshal the troops home to an important three points.
The former Wales international hasn’t played since May 2011, when he first ended his career playing for Derby.
The former Wales international was his usual spiky self with the officialsCredit: Rex Features
Savage was keen to mix it with the fans who turned up to watch the 10th-tier gameCredit: Rex Features
But now Savage – who has served as a pundit since originally hanging up his boots and also appeared on Strictly Come Dancing – is back playing after nearly a decade out.
Stockport Town boss Adam Jones revealed he was trying to “find a blend of hungry young lads and experience”.
Jones added: “When [Savage] said he’d be interested in putting his boots on it was a no brainer for me.”
Savage made 623 appearances as a professional, after working his way through the youth ranks of Manchester United.
The 39-cap Wales international never played first-team for the Red Devils, but enjoyed long spells at Crewe, Leicester, Birmingham, Blackburn and Derby.
Savage’s extraordinary tally of 89 yellow cards is still the seventh-highest in Premier League history.
With around 20 minutes of the game to go, Savage made his glorious return to the Beautiful GameCredit: Rex Features
Once on the pitch, the former Wales international was keen to use his experience to guide his new team homeCredit: Rex Features
At the end of the game it was clear the Strictly Come Dancing star had enjoyed himselfCredit: Rex Features
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
