2 hours ago
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Robbie Savage gave Forest Green Rovers fans a glimpse of his softer side as he carried a young supporter onto the pitch to celebrate the club's latest win.
The former Premier League midfielder spotted the boy after his team had sealed a 2-0 away victory at Woking, extending their unbeaten start to the season.
Without hesitation, Savage walked over to the youngster and his accompanying adult before lifting him onto the field to join in the post-match celebrations.
Fans praised the moment on social media, with even Rio Ferdinand responding with the comment 'Love it' on X. One supporter on X, formerly Twitter, wrote 'Impossible to watch that without smiling' as clips of the incident spread online.
Savage himself responded to the video uploaded by the National League club, writing: 'Teddy is at every game home and away. This is what it's all about.'
Savage has made a striking impression since taking charge at Forest Green over the summer after guiding Macclesfield to promotion last season.
Robbie Savage gave Forest Green Rovers fans a glimpse of his softer side as he carried a young supporter onto the pitch
The former Premier League midfielder spotted the boy after his team had sealed a 2-0 away victory at Woking
Fans praised the moment on social media, with even Rio Ferdinand responding with the comment 'Love it' on X
His side's 2-0 win at Woking maintained a run of seven victories and three draws from their opening ten matches, a sequence that has taken them to the top of the National League table.
The 50-year-old has already shown his willingness to make bold decisions. Just last week, he drew headlines by making four substitutions in the first minute of a National League Cup tie against Wolves Under-21s.
Competition rules require National League clubs to start at least four players who began the previous league fixture.
Savage named Neil Kengni, Abraham Kanu, Tom Knowles and Kyle McAllister in his starting line-up but immediately withdrew them to protect his regulars for the weekend. Forest Green went on to win the tie 3-2.
Speaking on Sky Sports News, Savage defended the move, insisting it was 'within the rules' and that Forest Green were 'respecting the competition'.
He added: 'The bottom line is we have won both games. We had seven academy players in the squad and we won. We are respecting the competition.'
Asked whether he expected a reprimand, he replied: 'I am not expecting a call, it is in the rules of the game and the competition. Let's not forget we have won the game.'
Forest Green, owned by green energy entrepreneur Dale Vince, have targeted an immediate return to the EFL following relegation and have leaned on academy depth alongside experienced performers during a busy early-season schedule.
The response to the Woking clip suggested supporters have quickly taken to Savage's front-foot style and his willingness to engage beyond the technical area.
