Starting out at Reading Savage started his professional career at
Reading in 2002 after moving from
non-League club
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. He then joined
Forest Green Rovers on trial and impressed but rejected the chance to join Forest Green when
Bristol City moved in for him.
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 buildup 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.
Cult status at Brighton & Hove Albion 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. 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 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 broadcast every one of his moonwalk celebrations. The feature 'I wanna be like Bas Savage' was broadcast every weekend morning. He even had his own T-shirt made to highlight his goal celebration. Savage started new contract talks with club chairman
Dick Knight during November 2007. Knight had 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.
Millwall Savage signed for
Millwall on 24 February 2008, on a contract that ran until the end of the season.
Tranmere Rovers On 9 July 2008 Savage, along with ex-Brighton teammate
George O'Callaghan, joined
Tranmere Rovers on a two-year contract. He scored a goal on his début, away to
Swindon Town on the opening day of the
2008–09 season. On 11 May 2010 it was announced that Bas would not be offered a new contract at Tranmere. Ahead of the
2010–11 season, Savage was on trial with
League Two side
Stevenage, coming on as a substitute in the club's 0–0 draw against
Norwich City. On 17 August 2010 he played as a trialist for
Torquay United's
reserve team, but was not signed by the club.
Dagenham & Redbridge In September 2010 Savage signed a short-term contract with
Dagenham & Redbridge, making his début on 18 September in a 3–0 home defeat by
Bristol Rovers. In May 2011 Dagenham announced the release of Savage at the end of his contract.
Northampton Town After initially joining
Northampton Town on non-contract terms, on 16 August 2011 Savage signed a five-month contract with The Cobblers. He was released after only four months at the club.
TOT SC In February 2012, Savage signed a one-year contract with Thai club
TOT S.C. Savage remained with TOT until the end of the 2015 season, scoring three goals in 79 appearances.
South Park In August 2020, he came out of retirement to sign for
Isthmian League club
South Park. ==References==