Genealogy Chat

The web sites written in English all seem to have copied each other and have John Savage as a Juve player. If you translate the Italian sites, most of them say 'an Englishman living in Turin'.

nudge for anyone who can offer any help or advice to trace this John Savage living in turin between 1897 and 1905.

hi carol according to this he did play for them The previous Juventus logoJuventus plays in black and white striped shirts and white shorts (in some seasons black shorts) since 1903. They got the kits from English side Notts County. Originally the team played in pink shirts with polka dots (pink being the cheapest material available) with a black tie, but continual washing faded the colour so much that in 1903 they sought to replace them. The club asked one of their team members, Englishman John Savage, if he had any contacts in England who could supply new shirts in a colour that would better withstand the elements. By coincidence, his friend back home lived in Nottingham, and being a Notts County supporter, shipped out the black and white striped shirts to Turin. Juventus have worn the shirts ever since he played for them in the late 1890's early 1900's according to the web site. he did not play for notts county but they do mention him on their web site lorraine

Does the County website give any clues as to his age when he was with them? If I were you, I'd e-mail Notts County...I'm sure they'd be really pleased to know how interested you are in one of their past players............. info * nottscountyfc(.)co.uk Replace * with the at sign......... GR's pernickety way with e-mail addresses would drive one to drink!!!!!!!! Reg

Hi Reg Very confused as Notts County website do mention him as a player, I think he could be an ancestor of mine so trying to find out a bit about him. The Savage family are from Nottinghamshire and would also be involved in manufacturing! Carol

Reading your latest posting, it would seem that 'Mr Savage' was a businessman in Turin........not, I would have thought, a football player. Reg

found this so now wonder was he a player! It was 1 November 1897, fall season, in Corso Umberto, Turin. Some students from D'Azeglio Lyceum, planned to make a football team, the greatest ever. They are Eugenio and Enrico Canfari, discussing something about sports in UK and USA, the best at that time. At last, the decision was a football team. A football team that will go to the top of the others. First, Augusta Tourinorum was chosen as it's name, but after a few thoughts, they changed it to Juventus. They used a pink shirt as the jersey, like the third jersey of Juventus, now. In 1903, one of the textiles wholesale dealer, Mister Savage, who lived in Turin, saw the pink shirts and the black slacks used by Juventus players. He was impressed, and suggested to restock the jersey by importing from England, a more complete equipment for that jersey. He, then, contacted a Nottingham's textile manufacturer. He ordered the manufacturer to produce the pink and black jersey. The clerk there, saw the jersey. He saw that the pink colour looked rather white and stained. Then, he saw the similarity between the 'stained' jersey and Nott's County's jersey. The County's jersey was also back and white. He sent their jersey with some changes. When the pack was opened in Turin, none of the official nor the player was happy. They mocked at it and they didn't appreciated it. But, after considered that there was no other choice, they adopted it. The esordio of the jersey was filled with sadness. Juventus lost 0 - 2 from Genoa at the last match. The next year, they reached the last match to with Genoa. At that time, Juventus also lost 0-1. But, in 1905, the Black And White jersey showed it's strength. It took Juventus to the top of Italian League, the first title of Juventus, after beating Genoa. It was also the first scudetto title from 25 titles they have now.

thats really interesting carol....although i like the sound of the pink shirts lol do you have and estimated age of birth for john savage?

The Juventus Football Club was formed in 1897 by students and high school teachers from Turin. They called the team 'Juventus,' which means 'Youth' in Latin. Their original shirt color was pink with polka dots, but then, as was so often the case in the early days, the English influence in world football prevailed. One of the Juventus players, John Savage, was from Nottingham. His favorite team, Notts County, wore black and white striped shirts, and he brought them back from England. Trying to find any info of the above John Savage of Nottingham!