SAVAGE ON LIFE AT BURNLEY, NORTHERN IRELAND AND MORE!

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U18s midfielder discusses season so far for Club and country

2025-03-12T14:15:41.127Z

SAVAGE ON LIFE AT BURNLEY, NORTHERN IRELAND AND MORE!

U18s midfielder discusses season so far for Club and country

2025-03-12T14:15:41.127Z

U18s midfielder discusses season so far for Club and country

For Troy Savage, the last nine months or so have been a major life change but one he is enjoying because he gets to do what he loves day in day out – playing football.

The young midfielder, who celebrated his 17th birthday at the back end of last week, became a Burnley scholar last summer and moved from his native Northern Ireland.

There he was with semi-professional side Glenovan and the JD National Academy, which is fully endorsed by UEFA.

His transition to English football has seen him play regularly for Tony Philliskirk’s U18s and U17s sides, in addition to stepping up to the U21s four times.

“I’m absolutely loving being able to come into this training ground every day and see everyone,” Savage said.

“Over the last few months I’ve really settled in and I’ve started to play a lot of football with the U18s, as well as being up with the U21s a few times.

“My house parents have been great and Fabio (So – U18s team-mate) has really helped me too. We were both new to the Club in the summer so were in the same situation.

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“The support I’ve had from the Club to help me settle in has been really good too.

“I feel like Tony (Philliskirk – U18s Manager) and Matt (Walsh – U18s Assistant Manager) have trusted me and they’ve really helped me ever since I’ve come in.

“They’ve treated me like I’ve been here for a long time and don’t treat me any differently.”

Philliskirk’s players currently sit top of the U18s Professional Development League North and extended their run of straight league wins to seven at the weekend.

The young Clarets beat Birmingham City 3-0 thanks to goals from Oli Pimlott, Frankie McMahon-Brown and Brandon Pouani, and are seven points clear of their nearest challengers with 10 games to play.

“The U18s are doing really well at the moment and some of our results have been really good. Hopefully we can continue with that.

“Everyone’s excited and hoping we can push on, pick up a few more good wins and stay top of the league and get into the play-offs.

“Being able to play in such an occasion would be good for everyone if we were able to get there – and it would be even better if we were able to win it.”

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Savage has represented Northern Ireland at various age groups and was recently away with the U17s in Spain.

The Green and White Army played in a four-team friendly tournament organised by the Norwegian FA in preparation for next week’s UEFA U17 EURO Elite Round qualifiers.

After playing the entirety of 1-1 and 0-0 draws against Poland and Norway respectively, Savage played the second half of a 2-1 defeat to Sweden.

Importantly, the 17-year-old is now regularly captaining his country too.

“It was a good trip because they’re three good nations, all of whom are going to be playing in the EUROS Elite Round,” Savage continued.

“It’s good to meet up with my old friends, some of whom have also moved to clubs in England.

“Playing for Northern Ireland and being able to pull on that shirt is a brilliant feeling and it’s an honour to be able to captain my country at that age too.

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“Knowing that you’re captain and all your family and friends will be watching back at home is a really good experience and there’s a bit more of a spotlight on you too.

“For example, if something’s going wrong in camp my team-mates might come to me to try and fix it. It’s a good responsibility to have.

“There are some really good players that play for Northern Ireland and some of the biggest clubs in England.

“It’s good to chat with them and pick up little bits about how they work and what they’re doing to improve.”

Andy Waterworth’s Northern Ireland U17s will play three matches in six days across the next two weeks, with all taking place at St George’s Park.

Savage will hope to be involved in the qualifiers against Slovenia, Israel and England, with the squad due to be announced later this week.

For now though, all eyes are on Saturday’s U18s league match against Barnsley. Kick-off is 11.30am at the training centre next to Oakwell Stadium (S71 1ET) and supporters are welcome to attend free of charge.