Robbie Savage is seen stepping in to stop terrace brawl during huge derby between the Macclesfield Director of Football’s side and local rivals Congleton… with fans hailing ex-Premier League star who was ‘keen to break up’ violence amid ‘cans being thrown and smoke bombs going off’
- Robbie Savage has intervened to try to separate rowing fans during a local derby
- Footage shows the ex-Wales international breaking up trouble on a busy terrace
- The volatile altercations took place at Macclesfield, where Savage is a co-owner
- A spokesman for Savage is quoted as saying he was ‘keen’ to ‘break up’ the mobs
Ex-Premier League ace Robbie Savage bravely waded into a mob of furious football fans in an attempt to stop supporters from attacking each other on a terrace during a fiery local derby clash.
Extraordinary footage has emerged of Savage, who has become better known for his flamboyant punditry since his retirement from elite football in 2011, making his way towards the feuding factions at Macclesfield Football Stadium.
The Director of Football at North West Counties Premier Division club Macclesfield had clearly seen enough during the grudge match, which pitted the Silkmen against local rivals Congleton.
Robbie Savage has been praised by supporters for appearing on the terrace during the game
As tempers flare, Savage can be seen making his way towards the scrap and placing a peace-keeping hand on a man’s shoulder while two throngs of angry-looking adversaries confront each other.
Other videos appeared to show fans aiming punches at each other, with Savage being seen waving people away with his back to the game in a move that impressed many onlookers.
One said: ‘Big up Robbie Savage for going into the fighting crowd to calm it down. Absolute legend.’
The former Premier League regular attempted to calm sections of the crowd at Macclesfield
Savage surprisingly became part of the action during the hosts’ local derby against Congleton
Others watching the fractious action, which took place in the 90th minute of the sold-out game, called Savage ‘super Rob’ and applauded the former Derby and Leicester midfielder for ‘sorting it out’.
Dubbing the showdown ‘El Cheshico’ because of its Cheshire setting, one viewer observed: ‘Full on kick-off. Game stopped. Robbie Savage wading in appealing to fans.’
A spokesman for Savage told The Sun that the former Wales international had been ‘keen’ to snuff out the skirmishes.
The club co-owner had urged the players to give everything they had in front of a full stadium
Savage tweeted his pride at the 3,500-strong attendance that showed up to watch the match
They said: ‘Robbie, being part owner of the football club, was keen to break up the small selection of fans who were being aggressive, to ensure the game finished without any violence.
‘He hopes everyone got home safely. It was a fantastic occasion for Macclesfield Football Club today, with over 3,500 fans back in the stadium.’
A supporter claimed to the outlet: ‘At first, supporters were just throwing cans, and there were smoke bombs about 20 minutes before kick off. Then they all just kind of rushed each other.’
Savage was named as head of football when non-league Macclesfield relaunched in February
Macclesfield joined the fifth step of the National League system this month. Earlier on Monday, proud Savage had tweeted: ‘Incredible that only three teams in League Two on Saturday and four in the National League had a bigger attendance than The Silkmen will get today.
‘We will have the eighth-biggest today, from League Two down, on this Bank Holiday weekend at step five of football.’
Macclesfield won the match 1-0 courtesy of James McNally-Berry’s second half strike.