Shearer vs Savage: The Rematch

Following 2014’s ‘Battle of the Backsides’, Alan Shearer and Robbie Savage are to go head-to-head once again.

This time it’s serious and they need you on-side for the BBC Radio 5 live ‘Battle of the Five-A-Sides’ for Sport Relief, supported by the Premier League.

Today, Wednesday 10th February, BBC and Sport Relief can announce that footballing legends Alan Shearer and Robbie Savage are going head-to-head once again as part of the epic BBC Radio 5 live ‘Battle of the Five-A-Sides’ for Sport Relief and if you sign up now there could be a spot for you on the pitch.

Supported by the Premier League, the three day five-a-side football frenzy will see Alan and Robbie return to the pitch to play as well as manage a squad of players. Over 1,000 people will take part to play a combined total of 57 hours of continuous five-a-side football – the equivalent of playing an entire Premier League season for one club. Robbie will be representing BBC Radio 5 live, whilst Alan is taking part on behalf of BBC’s Match of the Day.

The two teams, led by the football heroes, will play on constant rotation on the Premier League five-a-side stadium at Media City Salford, Manchester from Thursday 3rd to Saturday 5th March. The Premier League has funded the cost of the pitch as part of their bigger commitment to funding football facilities throughout the UK.

In 2014, Alan and Robbie went backside to backside in a gruelling battle that saw them race to sit on 45,000 seats each at Wembley Stadium, raising much needed funds for Sport Relief. Alan was victorious that time but Robbie is more than ready for the re-match, commenting; “I can’t wait to take on Shearer with help from five-a-side players across the UK! He may have claimed the winner’s trophy in the last challenge but team 5 live have this one in the back of the net! Most importantly we are raising money for a great cause and even if we can’t stand at the end of the three days, it will be worth it.”

Alan added: “I’ve taken on Savage before and beat him, so I’m feeling confident. 57 hours is a real marathon of a match so anything can change. We’re not as young as we were when we faced each other on the pitch in the Premiership, so it’ll be great to have the help of the playing fans!”

The goal of the game is to raise much-needed cash for Sport Relief that will make a difference to people living incredibly tough lives, both here at home in the UK and across the world’s poorest communities.

Along with members of the public, the pair will be joined throughout the three days by a rolling cast of well-known names from the world of sport and entertainment and many different types of football will be played including men’s, women’s, kids, wheelchair, walking and even crab football.

To find out more and sign up for the BBC Radio 5 live ‘Battle of the Five-A-Sides’ for Sport Relief, go to www.bbc.co.uk/fiveaside.