Robbie Savage became visibly emotional on TV when his son scored his first-ever senior goal yesterday. You can see the moment unfold below:
Savage, himself a professional footballer for the likes of Derby County, Blackburn Rovers, Leicester City, and Birmingham City, was watching the football unfold yesterday on one of the only live football shows that actually took place, BT Sport Score on BT Sport.
At one stage, the 48-year-old shouted up, realising that his 19-year-old son Charlie had scored his first-ever professional goal, playing for League One side Forest Green Rovers, where he is on loan from Manchester United.
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“Yes! My boy has scored!” Savage shouted.
“Go on my boy!” he went on.
Even in that moment of joy, he wasn’t immune to a bit of p***-taking from former Celtic man Chris Sutton, who said: “Let’s hope VAR doesn’t rule it out.”
Of course, at Forest Green Rovers’ level there’s no video assistant referee, so it’s not a concern.
When asked by presenter Jules Breach as to whether he was feeling a bit teary, Savage said: “It’s emotional, man.
“All he’s been through, do you know what I mean?
“I’m proud of him.”
Charlie has been loaned out to Duncan Ferguson’s side in League One for the remainder of this season, and this goal – while important for the Savage family – wasn’t ultimately that helpful to the side.
They lost 3-1 against Bristol Rovers at home yesterday, having led through the younger Savage’s goal for only a matter of minutes.
They’re currently rooted to the bottom of the table, winless in five games under former Everton caretaker manager and all-around terrifying dude Ferguson.
Prospects look pretty grim for Rovers’ survival in the league, as they’re now seven points adrift of Cambridge United in 23rd place, just one spot above them, and at least 10 points from safety.
However, they’ve come a long way in a short time, having emerged from non-league obscurity under owner Dale Vince, who has caught the eye of the wider footballing public with his commitment to making the club as eco-friendly as possible, including serving only vegan food in the stadium.
As for Charlie, he seems to have a bright future in the game, having been selected for first-team duties at Manchester United – a feat his dad never actually achieved – in a Champions League group stage game against Young Boys in 2021.
When he made that appearance, Savage was also on the air, again seeming visibly emotional as he said: “Coming on for Manchester United is Charlie Savage for Juan Mata.
“Wow. I never believed I would say those words.
"What a proud day for my boy. All the hard work.
“What a day for me, his mother, his nana, his grandparents and most importantly for Charlie Savage. I'm so proud of him, Darren.
“It's an amazing moment for him."
Tom Wood