Dale Vince legal action: Forest Green owner says he is seeking £2m from Peterborough and Robbie Savage

Dale Vince legal action: the Forest Green Rovers owner says he has begun proceedings seeking £2m from Peterborough United and Robbie Savage over the manager’s move to the League One club.

Vince made the announcement on Sky Sports News on Friday, according to the Peterborough Telegraph. He alleges Forest Green lost out on a £2m buyout clause when Savage left.

Peterborough offered no comment on the legal action when contacted by BBC Sport. Chairman Darragh MacAnthony had previously denied wrongdoing over the approach.

Dale Vince legal action: what he announced

Vince said the legal action concerned a £2m buyout clause which he alleges Forest Green lost out on when Savage left, the Peterborough Telegraph reported from his Sky Sports News appearance.

The £2m figure is the amount Vince says he is seeking, rather than a compensation award announced in his statement.

Savage was appointed Peterborough manager on 2 October after leaving the National League club, BBC Sport reported. No response from Savage to Friday’s announcement had been reported at the time of writing.

What have Peterborough said?

Peterborough offered no comment on Friday when BBC Sport asked about the legal action.

Vince previously alleged that Peterborough contacted Savage after Forest Green initially refused permission for talks, BBC Sport reported on 12 October. MacAnthony disputed that account, saying the recruitment process was “100% correct and proper, following all the rules”.

That denial predates Friday’s announcement, so it is Peterborough’s earlier stated position rather than a response to the proposed £2m claim.

Forest Green confirmed permission for talks

Forest Green’s official statement on 29 September confirmed Savage had been given permission to speak to Peterborough.

At that stage, Vince said the clubs were negotiating the terms of the move and wished Savage well.

The existence of that permission is part of the background to the dispute. Vince’s later allegation concerns contact he says happened before permission was granted, while MacAnthony maintains the appointment process was proper.

How the dispute has developed

Date	Development
29 September	Forest Green confirm Savage has permission to speak to Peterborough
2 October	Savage is appointed Peterborough manager, BBC Sport reported
12 October	MacAnthony denies wrongdoing over the approach
30 October	Vince announces legal action seeking £2m from Peterborough and Savage

Read our report on Peterborough appointing Robbie Savage for the background to his arrival.

Dale Vince legal action: your questions answered

Why is Dale Vince taking legal action?

Vince alleges that the circumstances of Savage’s move to Peterborough deprived Forest Green of a £2m buyout clause.

What have Peterborough said about the legal action?

Peterborough offered no comment when contacted by BBC Sport on Friday. Chairman Darragh MacAnthony had previously denied wrongdoing over the approach.

Has Peterborough been ordered to pay £2m?

No. The £2m is the amount Vince says he is seeking.

When did Robbie Savage join Peterborough?

BBC Sport reported that Savage was appointed on 2 October 2026 after leaving Forest Green Rovers.

Did Forest Green give permission for talks?

Yes. Their statement on 29 September confirmed permission. The disputed allegation concerns whether contact had taken place before that permission was given.