Dale Vince insists the biggest success story so far is the energy, belief, and fun Robbie Savage has brought to table-topping Forest Green.
Forest Green remain one of just 13 unbeaten teams across England’s top five divisions plus the National League — a testament to the momentum building at The New Lawn.
However, for Vince, the biggest achievement isn’t just the points tally — it’s the atmosphere around Rovers. “When Robbie came in, I said it wasn’t just about promotion — it was about bringing the fun back. We’ve done that. And the football — some of the moments have been fantastic.”
Vince emphasised how much he is enjoying the transformation: “I don’t do pride, but I love what we’re doing. I love what Robbie’s brought to the club. The buzz around the place is incredible.”
He recalled how opposition directors had noticed the positive atmosphere: “The Rochdale director said to me, people have been saying all day how much they enjoy being here because it’s fun. That’s what’s happened. When Robbie came in, I said it wasn’t just about promotion — it was about bringing the fun back. We’ve done that.”
Vince echoed that sense of connection, pointing to the warm welcome Savage first received when his son Charlie played for the club on loan from Manchester United: “The club was good to Charlie, and I thought that was good for us and good on Robbie for doing it. We’re the same club, he’s the same man, and we’re working together.”
Vince admitted some saw Savage as a celebrity signing but said his decision was based on football knowledge and belief: “I didn’t realise he was a celebrity! I brought him in for his football nous because I knew him as a person. I watched him commentating on a Man United game in Europe. They’d thrown away a lead, all the commentators had written them off — but not him. He said, ‘They just need to get the ball onto Maguire’s head.’ And that’s exactly what they did. He was the only one that believed. That passion, that energy — that’s what we’ve got here now.”
Meanwhile, Savage was quick to highlight the work being done off the pitch by owner Vince, as well as sporting director Mark Bowen and vice-chairman Asif Rehmanwala. He lauded Bowen for orchestrating 16 signings: “He’s relentless like me, what Mark Bowen does for this football club — he was brilliant at Reading, and he’s shown it already here. Each and every one of them has offered something.
“Whatever happens, we’ll leave this club in a far better place — engaged with the fans, buzzing with energy, and proud of what it represents – I’m not a celebrity appointment. I’m a hard-working individual who loves football.”
Savage was quick to praise the people behind the scenes. On owner Vince, he said: “Dale does an unbelievable job. Honestly, I couldn’t be prouder of Dale, what he does for this football club.”
He also highlighted the support of the fans, pointing to the 2,800-strong crowd, which included 400 children who had been gifted shirts: “When you walk out with that Forest Green shirt, you’ve got the fans behind you. All the kids, 400 shirts given away — that’s what it’s about. We’re engaged again and they’re loving it.”
Savage shared how the community has embraced him personally: “I went to Nailsworth for a coffee this morning (Saturday), and an elderly gentleman in the coffee shop said, ‘Thank you so much.’ That’s what you do — you embrace your community.”
Savage also revealed how his players voted for a day off after a long run of games: “We were having a paddle tennis tournament on Monday. I said to the lads, listen, we can paddle — and they all looked at me. I said, listen, listen, we’re booked. Then I went round the room and they all voted to have it off, and they all did a big cheer. That’s what we’re creating.”
For Savage, it was also a rare chance to spend time with his family: “I’ve not seen my family in eight weeks, but those are the sacrifices you make. Would I change it? No, because I love it. I love how people have embraced me here.”
Both Savage and Vince tempered their enthusiasm with perspective. Savage admitted: “Listen, we’ve done nothing yet. We might not go up, we might fall away. But right now, let’s enjoy it. We’re top, we’re unbeaten, and we’re on the national stage.”
And Vince summed up the spirit of the club: “We like to give young players a chance, it’s what we’re about. We’re the same club, he’s the same man, and we’re working together. And right now — it’s fun.”
