Melvyn Sage (born 24 March 1964) is an English former footballer. He played as a full back for Gillingham and Derby County in a ten-year career which was ultimately cut short by injury.[3]

Mel Sage
Personal information
Full name Melvyn Sage[1]
Date of birth (1964-03-24) 24 March 1964 (age 60)[1]
Place of birth Gillingham,[1] England
Height 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)[2]
Position(s) Full back
Youth career
1980–1982 Gillingham
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1982–1986 Gillingham 132 (5)
1986–1992 Derby County 140 (4)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Playing career

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Sage began his career as an apprentice professional with his hometown club, Gillingham, turning professional in 1982.[4] He soon forced his way into the first team and became a regular in the defence, as well as attracting attention from larger clubs. In the 1985-86 season he was an ever-present in the team and named the club's Player of the Year,[5] after which he was snapped up by Derby County, who had just clinched promotion to Division Two, for a fee of £60,000. The following season he helped the Rams gain promotion to Division One and in all made over 140 league appearances for Derby before a succession of injuries, most notably a knee injury sustained in November 1991, forced him into retirement in 1992.

Post-playing career

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After retiring from football, Sage returned to his hometown of Gillingham and became a taxi driver.[4]

Honours

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Derby County

Individual

  • Gillingham Player of the Season: 1985–86[5]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Mel Sage". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
  2. ^ Dunk, Peter, ed. (1987). Rothmans Football Yearbook 1987–88. London: Queen Anne Press. p. 154. ISBN 978-0-356-14354-5.
  3. ^ "Mel Sage". Post War English & Scottish Football League A–Z Players' Transfer Database. Neil Brown. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
  4. ^ a b c Triggs, Roger (2001). The Men Who Made Gillingham Football Club. Tempus Publishing Ltd. pp. 283–284. ISBN 0-7524-2243-X.
  5. ^ a b "CHOOSE YOUR GREATEST NO.2". www.gillinghamfootballclub.com. Retrieved 12 April 2022.