Savage v Savage in FA Cup after grocery‑shop draw

Matt Barlow reported the story on 7 November 2026. The FA Cup draw caught Robbie Savage and his son Charlie while they were shopping for groceries. Reading midfielder Charlie was in the Marks & Spencer foodhall with his girlfriend when his phone buzzed. He realised it was first‑round draw day and called his father, Peterborough United boss Robbie Savage.

Robbie was in the Co‑op, rummaging for a spaghetti bolognese after returning to his rented “little annexe in someone’s garden”. He said the reception in Peterborough kept cutting out. Charlie told him “You won’t believe the draw”, prompting Robbie to think of Forest Green or Macclesfield before hearing “You’ve got us”. Robbie exclaimed “Oh no”.

He had left Forest Green for the Peterborough United job only a month earlier. The clubs were due to meet in League One at Reading next month, but the FA Cup draw paired them unexpectedly.

The pair will meet in the FA Cup first round at London Road on Saturday. The match will be screened live. Charlie said football creates rivalries and now a family rivalry, unsure which relatives will support which side. He joked about a half‑and‑half scarf for his family. Robbie admitted the prospect is “horrible”, describing anxiety and butterflies at the thought of his son influencing the game. He said people tell him it’s great, but it feels terrible.

He has avoided speaking to Charlie all week to prevent pressure. He does not want the fixture billed as “Savage v Savage”. He added that if Charlie plays and makes a mistake leading to a Peterborough win, it is acceptable, and if he scores the winner, it would be astonishing. He stressed the need to win for Peterborough United.

Coaching journey and career background

Robbie, a former Leicester, Birmingham and Blackburn midfielder, left media work to coach. He helped his youngest son Freddie’s Under‑13 team in the Timperley and District Junior Sunday League. He recalled training on Tuesdays and Thursdays and Sunday mornings putting up nets, noting the first season they lost 13‑0 before building a winning side.

Charlie played 45 games for Reading last season but has not started a league match this campaign. Two years ago, Charlie and Freddie urged their father to become manager at Macclesley in the Northern Premier League. Charlie recalled his father once said he would manage against him, when Charlie was in League One and his father in Step Three. He described his father as a competitor who wants to win.

Charlie remembered his father’s playing career ending at Derby after starting at Manchester United and spanning seven clubs, earning 39 Wales caps. The 23‑year‑old said he remembers his father’s long hair and shouting at referees.