Charlie happy to move out of his comfort zone to become a better player…
It’s impossible to ignore the poetry of it all. In the same surroundings that his father played his last professional game, Charlie Savage is looking to make his full first team debut as a Royal when we host Peterborough in less than two weeks’ time!
“I still remember my dad’s last game – the one where he took his shirt off and stuff – and I was here for that, watching from the stands,” Charlie smiled.
“And he got a standing ovation from the Reading fans that day…that has stuck with me. The reception he got here from the fans, that has stayed with me.
“So it’s amazing to be here as a player now. As soon as I found out about the interest, I couldn’t wait to get down here and see the training ground – I’d heard it was good, but I didn’t realise it was this good!
“There has always been talk in the background about a move here, especially in the last season because I have a close relationship with Mark Bowen - he was a big part of the reason I’m here.
“So it all came around some time last week…and as soon as it came up, I was begging United to let me speak to Reading and get it done.”
Swapping the luxuries of Old Trafford for the toils of League One in blue and white hoops may seems like a risky decision, but Savage is in no doubt about his reasons behind agreeing to the switch.
“In the past, Reading has always been a club that develops young players and by coming here I hope I can be one of those players.
“I had a couple of years left on my contract ay United, but I didn’t want to get too comfortable. I wanted to come out here and test myself.
“I had a few other options, but once I spoke to the manager, Mark and Brian, it was a no-brainer to come here. Speaking to Mark, he’s got great plans for the club and I had a really good chat with the manager when I arrived and he told me what he expects of me.
“It's very easy to stay at a club like United, but I think it shows something about be that I’m willing to step out of my comfort zone.
“I’ve been at United about 15 years. But I wanted to come somewhere which can give me the focus on getting better as a player and of course trying to get the club back to where it belongs.
“And if I’d come here on loan, I’d have the safety net of being able to go back to United after it came to an end. But I’m here permanently, so I know I’ve got to perform. I’ve got to step up.
“I really enjoyed the challenge of League One last season, we found it tough at times, but I played pretty much every game for Forest Green and Duncan Ferguson helped me a lot.
“I got more than 1,000 minutes under my belt after joining in January which was invaluable experience for me.
“For me, I’m only 20. There is a lot of development left for me to do. If I was the finished article, I’d be in the Premier League already. But I’m not the finished article.
“But I’m very ambitious. The main aim is to do as well as I can for the team. And the team comes first!”
So what can Royals fans expect from Savage? A youngster in the same mould as his dad in the centre of midfield?
“I play as a 6 or an 8, that’s where I’m best. I’m left-footed, I’ve got a lot of energy like my dad…but I’d say I’m a little bit better technically!
“All joking aside, if I could have a career anything near like his, I’d be very, very happy. 350 Premier League games is something I can only dream of.”
And is Charlie ready to hit the ground running? Of course he is!
“We came back to United a couple of weeks ago and I’ve been doing double sessions most days.
“I played against Leeds out in Oslo, which was really nice and I captained the first team in the second half of that game, an amazing moment.
“It was a great ending to a fairytale story for me I think - it made leaving that little bit easier, I’d make my debut, I’d become one of a handful of players who have come through from the age of 9 through to 20 now - and to play for every age group including the first team now. It was a real honour.”