Bas Savage

Infobox Football biography
playername = Bas Savage


fullname = Basir Mohammed Savage
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1982|1|7|df=yes
cityofbirth = London
countryofbirth = England
height = height|meters=1.91
position = Striker
currentclub = Tranmere Rovers
clubnumber = 7
youthyears = 2000–2002
youthclubs = Walton & Hersham
years = 2002–2005
2004
2005
2005–2006
2006–2007
2007–2008
2008
2008–
clubs = Reading
→ Wycombe Wanderers (loan)
→ Bury (loan)
Bristol City
Gillingham
Brighton & Hove Albion
Millwall
Tranmere Rovers
caps(goals) = 16 (0)
04 (0)
05 (0)
23 (1)
14 (1)
36 (9)
11 (2)
01 (1)
nationalyears =
nationalteam =
nationalcaps(goals) =
pcupdate = 16:42, 9 August 2008 (UTC)
ntupdate =

Basir Mohammed "Bas" Savage (born 7 January 1982 in London) is a professional footballer who plays as a striker for Tranmere Rovers. He is known for his trademark moonwalk goal celebration, which has gained cult fame on TV's "Soccer AM".

Career

Starting out at Reading

Savage started his professional career at Reading in 2002 after moving from non-league Walton & Hersham, where, after a very promising start, he was struck by a career threatening injury that kept him out of the game for almost a year. After Reading appointed Steve Coppell as manager, Savage struggled to get a place back in the team, and was used as a utility midfielder, often playing on the right wing. Despite some good performances in 2003 (notably one against Chelsea in the League Cup) and spending a couple of sessions on loan to Bury and Wycombe Wanderers, Savage was eventually released by Reading.

Bristol City

After being courted by Coventry City, and a host of other clubs, Savage finally decided to sign for Bristol City on a short-term contract. He was soon a favourite of Gary Johnson during his time at Bristol City, and he finally quickly scored his first League goal - a header against Scunthorpe United. He soon won over the City fans, not just by scoring his first goal but with his extravagant style of play. However, he was relegated to the substitutes bench following the arrival of Mark McCammon, before finally leaving the club after being released from his contract.

Stint at Gillingham

On 28 September 2006, Savage signed a three month contract with Gillingham after manager Ronnie Jepson decided they would 'have a good look at him before deciding on a long term decision'. He made his debut for Gillingham as a second half substitute for Clint Easton in a 2-1 home win over Cheltenham Town.

His first start came in a 3-2 away win over Tranmere Rovers on 23 December. Following starts in Gillingham's following games, a Boxing Day home match against Leyton Orient where he was involved in the build up to Gillingham's first goal, an own goal scored by Brian Saah.

Having impressed Jepson during his initial three months at Gillingham, Savage signed for a further month in late December and scored his first goal on 20 January, 2007, in a 1-1 draw away to the team he made his debut against, Cheltenham Town.

aga at Brighton

On 31 January 2007, Savage was released from his deal at Gillingham after failing to agree new contract terms, and on 2 February 2007 he signed a one-year deal at Brighton & Hove Albion. [cite news | date=2007-02-02| url=http://www.seagulls.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/LatestDetail/0,,10433~974925,00.html | title=Striker Signs | work=seagulls.co.uk | accessdate=2007-02-19]

His career at Brighton got off to a flying start, with four goals in his first eight appearances for his new club. His goals for the club has meant he had doubled his goals tally with Brighton compared to what he achieved throughout his whole career combined.

It was his move to Brighton which was the catalyst for his newly found cult status. TV show "Soccer AM" picked up on his moonwalk goal celebrations and now broadcast every one of his moonwalk celebrations. The feature 'I wanna be like Bas Savage' is broadcast every weekend morning. He even had his own T-shirt made to highlight his goal celebration. [cite news | date=2007-05-25| url=http://archive.theargus.co.uk/2007/5/25/235048.html | title=Moonwalking Bas scoops goal celebration award| work=The Argus | accessdate=2008-02-25]

Savage started new contract talks with Brighton chairman Dick Knight during November 2007. Knight has been quoted as saying that he offered the player a new improved 18-month contract. It was revealed on Boxing Day 2007 that Savage had turned this deal down. [cite news | date=2007-12-26| url=http://www.seagulls.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Latest/0,,10433~1199350,00.html | title= Bas Set to Move On | work=seagulls.co.uk | accessdate=2007-12-30]

Millwall

Savage signed for Millwall on 24 February, 2008, on a contract set to run until the end of the season.

Tranmere Rovers

On July 9, Savage, along with ex-Brighton teammate George O'Callaghan, joined Tranmere Rovers on a two year contract. [Cite web
url = http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11733_3803129,00.html
title = Rovers seal double deal
date = 9 July, 2008
accessdate= 2008-07-09
publisher = Sky Sports] He scored a goal on his debut, away to Swindon Town on the opening day of the 2008–09 season.

References

External links

*soccerbase|30699|Bas Savage

Persondata
NAME=Savage, Basir Mohammed
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=Savage, Bas
SHORT DESCRIPTION=Footballer
DATE OF BIRTH=7 January 1982
PLACE OF BIRTH=London
DATE OF DEATH=
PLACE OF DEATH=