Derby “saviour” narrowly avoids a fine for parading excessively showy motor

As a team desperately attempting to claw back some dignity from this season by at least finishing with points in double figures, times are hard at Derby County. Things weren’t helped this week when their preening new midfielder Robbie Savage rolled up to training in his brand new £160k Mercedes. Players and staff who face cutbacks and unemployment in the coming months as Derby return to a Championship budget failed to gasp in wonder at Savage’s good fortune.
When Sunderland were relegated in 2003, Michael Gray was stripped of two weeks’ wages and the captaincy after showing up to training in a Ferrari. Surprisingly, Savage, who also owns a Bentley, a Range Rover and a Lamborghini, has escaped criticism for his grotesque, loads-a-money gesture from Paul Jewell:

“Robbie Savage is an international footballer. He’s played in the Premier League all his life, so he’s entitled to earn a lot of money and to spend it how he likes.”

Angry teammates, also bitter at having to get around the Derby area in vehicles that are little better than a pony and trap by comparison, will get the last hollow laugh, however. ‘Sav’ is expected to be dropped for tomorrow’s brawl with Sunderland after a slew of poor performances.

He’s a bit of a prat, but at least he didn’t make the same mistake that Stephen Ireland did.

[The Guardian]