Macclesfield FC, managed by former Premier League footballer Robbie Savage, have today secured promotion to the National League North - the sixth tier of English football - by beating Bamber Bridge.
For all of those associated with the club it has been a tumultuous five years. At the start, the former Macclesfield Town - a part of English football since 1874 - were wound-up after a High Court ruling, the phoenix club was subsequently born and now this, their promotion as champions from the Non League Premier Northern, is the third promotion in their short, new history.
It is also their first under Savage's stewardship, at his first attempt no less, as he responded via " target="_blank" class="link"> YouTube: "I'm overwhelmed with emotion.
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"It's the players who deserve the credit. We knew how much was on the game. I read out messages from fans in the team talk - there was no need for tactics or motivational speeches.
"Again, they deserve every credit. 91 points - we've seen the celebrations in the dressing room. Such a humble group, it's about them, the staff and the fans with what we've achieved today."
Savage risk
Macclesfield Town's former assets were bought by ninth-tier Stockport Town owner Robert Smethurst. Savage came out of a nine-year retirement to play for the Lions the year prior, having come through the ranks at United then played for Crewe Alexandra, Leicester City, Birmingham City, Blackburn Rovers and Derby County.
The pair therefore had a good relationship and the Welshman was appointed to the new Macclesfield's board of directors, soon after becoming director of football.
Promotions to the eighth and seventh tiers followed in the club's first two seasons, beginning in 2021/22. However, they went through two coaches last year as they failed to make it through the Non League Premier Northern's play-offs.
Taking the risk to appoint Savage in his first-ever managerial role, the Silkmen can celebrate with 91 points to their name, the league title in hand and the prospect of National League Northern football next campaign.
Responding to whatever doubters he may have had now he has helped win promotion, the 50-year-old added: "Listen, I've had it all my life. Negativity, the narrative it's all about me.
"Let people talk, I've put my money where my mouth is and proven people wrong."
Net worth
As mentioned, Savage established himself in the sport by playing for some of the country's most high-profile teams. Amongst those he made 346 appearances at the pinnacle of English football, winning the Football League Cup with Leicester in 1999/2000.
After ending his 17-year professional playing career the Welshman ventured into punditry with BT Sports, since changed to TNT Sports, and also BBC Radio 5 Live.
And of course, the man in question has had his most recent successes with Macclesfield, with whom he is also a shareholder.
With that, the most recent calculation two years ago was Savage's net worth being around the £4m mark.
Footballer son and family
He married wife Sarah in 2002, saying: "I met my wife 20-to-21 years ago. I was at Crewe and I was coming up to the end of my contract at Crewe. I started going out with my wife in the November; my contract was up in the June. I was on £200 a week at Crewe. So I chased her and I chased her and anyway I got to go out with her in the January. So in the February, my first Valentine’s Day with my wife, there was an opportunity for me.
"I was either going to go to Leicester, Crystal Palace or Malmö in Sweden. I thought, right, I've got to try and make sure - cement the relationship - because I was starting to go out with her, but not 100 per cent."
The couple have two sons together. One of them, Charlie, came through the ranks at Man United and made his first-team debut in the Champions League against Young Boys in December 2021 - a game in which Robbie co-commentated.
Holding back tears the father announced his son onto the field with the words: "Coming on for Manchester United, Charlie Savage, for Juan Mata. Wow, I never believed that I'd say those words here at Manchester United."
Charlie, now 21, left Old Trafford in 2023 and has since made 67 appearances for League One outfit Reading.
