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May 12, 1993, was not a good day in the young life and career of Robbie Savage. It was not so much the car crash that left him in hospital for a week, but the bombshell that had prompted his near-fatal lapse of concentration behind the wheel.
After five years as a Manchester United trainee, Savage's dreams of a career with his boyhood idols were dashed when he was summoned to Alex Ferguson's office to be told of his release. A case of thanks, but no thanks.
"It was absolutely devastating. My heart was set on being a success at United," he recalls. "I came out in a daze.
"I didn't know how I was going to tell my mum and dad so I phoned some mates and arranged to meet them at a local snooker hall. I couldn't stop thinking about my parents and I guess I wasn't concentrating. The next thing I know I had crashed and was in hospital: broken bones, cut head, no feeling in my arm, the lot."
Almost six years later Savage is threatening to live up to Ferguson's parting words that he might - not literally - "come back to haunt him". Although he misses today's visit of United because of a knee injury, he is an integral part of the Leicester City team and will be sitting in the stand this afternoon harbouring thoughts of making it for next Saturday's visit of Coventry in the FA Cup.
He made it to Filbert Street via Crewe Alexandra, where he played 77 league games before falling out with the manager Dario Gradi. He was signed by Martin O'Neill for ?400,000 in July 1997.
"It's hard to come back after being released. I was lucky that Crewe were willing to give me a chance, and that brought about the move to Leicester," he says.
"Another of the lads who was released by United is now working as a ?180-a-week mechanic, while I have lost touch with some of the others. They were all good footballers; it's sad because every one of them would have had the same ambitions as Ryan Giggs, but there's a thin line between success and failure."
Savage played in United's 1992 FA Youth Cup side, who beat Crystal Palace 6-3 on aggregate in a two-leg final. Tutored by Eric Harrison, the team boasted Giggs, Nicky Butt and both Neville brothers; David Beckham was on the bench and Paul Scholes did not manage even that.
"When you look at how many brilliant players have come through, there is no way you can ever criticise United," says Savage. "It says it all that Scholesy was never getting a game at that stage, and look at him now. Their youth system is second to none and I can only see it getting better and better. They have the right people in place to bring along the young players."
Evidently so; Ferguson is on record as saying the secret of United's success is their youth development. However, keeping them happy at a club where seasoned internationals are struggling to make the squad is another matter. Keith Gillespie of Blackburn, Ben Thornley of Huddersfield and the Bradford goalkeeper Gary Walsh have all prospered since heading for pastures new, and others seem sure to follow.
One of them is Terry Cooke, a talented left-side midfielder. Frustrated by his lack of opportunities after five years in the shadows, he has joined Manchester City for a three-month loan period and will make his debut against Fulham this afternoon.
As for Savage, despite the furore over his infamous Maldini shirt-throwing incident he remains an established Wales international, all 14 of his caps taking pride of place in the front room of his grandmother's Wrexham home.
And Savage, Lily to his team-mates, insists he will not be casting envious glances in the direction of his old chums this afternoon. "I'm pleased for them all, I really am," he says. "I still keep in touch with Giggsy, and you could see even then that Beckham had what it takes.
"He came on as a substitute in the Youth Cup final. It was his first appearance in the side but you would never have known. Within a few minutes he had sent a cracker into the top corner from 30 yards; typical Becks."
Four who went
David Platt: Arrived in 84, aged 17, but given a free transfer in January 1985. Joined Crewe, playing 134 games before arriving at Aston Villa for ?200,000 in 1988. Sold to Bari, Juventus and Sampdoria but joined Arsenal for ?4.75m in 1995 and an aggregate in excess of ?21m, a British record. Now coaching at Sampdoria. Former England captain who played 62 internationals.
Keith Gillespie: Joined United, aged 13, and played in the same youth team as David Beckham and Gary Neville. He made his league debut while on loan at Wigan but enjoyed only seven starts for United before moving to Newcastle in 1995 as a ?1 million makeweight in the Andy Cole deal. Signed for Blackburn Rovers last month for ?2.35 million.
Billy Garton: Salford-born, made his United debut at 19. Played 49 games before retiring aged 25 with ME. Made his last appearance in December 1988. Studied for a degree in physical education, played for Salford, Witton Albion and Hyde United, where he was the player-coach at the start of the season.
Alan Davies: Debut in 1982 and played in the 1983 FA Cup final, after only four games, in place of Steve Coppell making two goals in 4-0 replay win. Injury delayed start of next season and played only three more matches. Joined Newcastle,failed to settle, and after loan spells at Charlton and Carlisle, signed for Bradford City and Swansea (twice). Played 13 times for Wales. Found dead in a fume-filled car in February 1992, aged 30.
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