Love Island star Tom Clare praises Robbie Savage after Macclesfield owner allowed ‘chance of a lifetime’ TV appearance

LOVE ISLAND star Tom Clare has praised Macclesfield owner Robbie Savage for allowing him to go on the reality TV show.

Non-league footballer Clare, 23, took time out from playing for the Northern Premier League West side to go on the hit-ITV dating programme.

Footballer Tom Clare came third on Love Island alongside Samie ElishiRex

GettyRobbie Savage allowed Clare to appear on the reality show[/caption]

He came in as the show’s first bombshell arrival and made it all the way to the final.

Clare finished the programme alongside partner Samie Elishi, 22, placing third behind winners Kai Fagan and Sanam Harrinanan and runners-up Ron Hall and Lana Jenkins.

The Macclesfield striker was given the all-clear to go on Love Island by Savage and the rest of the club chiefs.

And he is now hoping he can repay them by bringing more attention to their games.

Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: “It’s good for Macclesfield, they are a huge club anyway, but if I can bring them more into the public eye, bring more fans through the game – it’s more revenue for the club.

“Rob [Smethurst] and Robbie [Savage] and everyone behind the scenes work so hard.

“I don’t know if people have seen the documentary, but if you look from the start to where we are now, the work that has gone into it, people do not see.

“If I can bring more fans through the gate, I would be so happy. Maybe a few shirts of Samie No9 on the back.

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“I have got so much love for the club.”

Clare returned to watch Macclesfield beat Runcorn Linnets 3-2 on Saturday afternoon.

But he is not planning to get back onto the pitch until next season.

Macclesfield sit top of the Northern Premier League West, nine points clear of second-place AFC Sudbury.

Clare is not expected to return to the pitch until next seasonTwitter/Macclesfield FC