October 21 – Former midfield hard man Robbie Savage made a career out of winding people up as a player, but has now found himself on the other side of the equation as a manager.
At Forest Green Rovers, the Welshman is facing a situation that can’t be resolved with a two-footed tackle or by barking in the referee’s ear.
Following his side’s 4-2 defeat at Carlisle United in the National League, Savage spoke about the “vile abuse” he’s endured from opposition fans, saying that it has strayed away from the everyday banter that he encountered during his playing career.
“I’ll take the banter, and when they’re singing songs about me as an individual, I’ve got no problem,” Savage told BBC Radio Gloucestershire. “But when it crosses the line, when it becomes nasty and some of the stuff said is wrong, what’s done about it?
“I’ll continue to stand there and take that abuse because I’m expected to, because it’s me — and it’s not acceptable.”
Savage made his name predominantly with Leicester City and represented Wales 39 times. After hanging up his boots, he remained just as outspoken, fronting the popular 606 phone-in on BBC Radio 5 Live, but he feels that the nature of goading has crossed the line.
“Stewards, volunteers, whoever’s standing there, it’s [still] allowed to happen consistently,” he said. “I don’t mind banter… but I’m prepared to stand there and get hurled the most shocking abuse by people of varying ages, probably in high-powered positions at work. They think it’s acceptable — it’s not.
“It happens all the time… it happened the other night at Worthing and it’s happened again today. I don’t think it’s acceptable, but nothing’s going to be done. Nothing’s ever done.”