Viking Supporters Co-operative

Viking Chat => Viking Chat => Topic started by: anton123 on July 09, 2021, 04:01:54 pm

Title: Butler
Post by: anton123 on July 09, 2021, 04:01:54 pm
Contract terminated by mutual consent
Title: Re: Butler
Post by: MachoMadness on July 09, 2021, 04:07:10 pm
Off to Boston. I can only imagine there was some conflict over his role as Belles manager, which he'll continue to do. All the best, a true Rovers hero for me despite how last season ended.
Title: Re: Butler
Post by: wing commander on July 09, 2021, 04:08:53 pm
  I think we've all been expecting it..His tweets and timings of them indicated he wasn't training with the first team squad

  It didn't work out during his spell as manager but we have a lot to be thank Andy for. Best of luck to him wherever he goes. My moneys on Chesterfield/Grimsby,
Title: Re: Butler
Post by: anton123 on July 09, 2021, 04:09:21 pm
I wish him well , he’s been a great servant to the club but I think it’s the right time to move on give both parties a fresh start
Title: Re: Butler
Post by: DonnyOsmond on July 09, 2021, 04:09:46 pm
Off to Boston. I can only imagine there was some conflict over his role as Belles manager, which he'll continue to do. All the best, a true Rovers hero for me despite how last season ended.

Wellens said the other day that he was fine with him doing the Belles job, just not coaching the Rovers.

Thanks for everything Andy, you're a Rovers legend.
Title: Re: Butler
Post by: DonnyOsmond on July 09, 2021, 04:10:07 pm
  I think we've all been expecting it..His tweets and timings of them indicated he wasn't training with the first team squad

  It didn't work out during his spell as manager but we have a lot to be thank Andy for. Best of luck to him wherever he goes. My moneys on Chesterfield/Grimsby,


Signed for Boston.
Title: Re: Butler
Post by: keyser_soze on July 09, 2021, 04:17:30 pm
Our suspicions about him not appearing in the training photos seem to be correct and he has not been training with the first team. Don't think it was ever going to work i'm afraid but at least all can move on now.
Title: Re: Butler
Post by: Bailey Vickerage on July 09, 2021, 04:18:06 pm
Good luck andy, did his best to stop the shambles of last season and will always be a club legend. Fair play to him for wanting to play every week which wellens couldn’t offer him.
Title: Re: Butler
Post by: Jimmydee on July 09, 2021, 04:18:49 pm
The Pilgrims have been training at the Keepmoat, Paul Green might have persuaded Butts to join him.
Title: Re: Butler
Post by: Dutch Uncle on July 09, 2021, 04:19:27 pm
Many thanks Andy for all of the contributions and work you have put into the club in many different roles. All the very best for the future, you will be very fondly remembered.
Title: Re: Butler
Post by: RoversAlias on July 09, 2021, 04:20:58 pm
Wellens has clearly shown Butler the door. Don't agree with it at all, that's twice now Rovers have allowed one of the greatest figures in our history to be shoved aside, and after all he did for the club this past year as well. It's a big loss for the dressing room, especially straight after Coppinger retires.

Great signing for Boston, mind. They don't know what they've got with that signing.
Title: Re: Butler
Post by: Jimmydee on July 09, 2021, 04:23:11 pm
Paul Green is at Boston and they’ve been training at the Keepmoat, he might have had a persuasive chat to Butts.
Good luck Butts, I was hoping for better things in his management tenure .
Title: Re: Butler
Post by: Chris Black come back on July 09, 2021, 04:24:06 pm
He’s a top lad. Very pleased he is still associated with the club through the Belles.
Title: Re: Butler
Post by: PDX_Rover on July 09, 2021, 04:31:14 pm
He’s not really a club legend though, is he? He played a little over 200 games for us. Yes, he is a great character to have, and is passionate, and a great, great player… and also that goal at Charlton…

But legend?

Not for me.

Good decision all round. Must be difficult to go back from bring the gaffer, albeit it interim, to a squad player.

And didn’t he and RW have previous?

Thanks Butts. Brave man. Great character. Super defender.
Title: Re: Butler
Post by: steve@dcfd on July 09, 2021, 04:36:56 pm
He was never training with the rest of the team been down to look several times he was never there. The club had made this situation by giving him the interim managers job then passing him over. This was the only out come. People will blame Richie but for me it’s down to the club they gave him an extra years playing contract. He’s done well in his position of centre half but it’s time to move on.
Title: Re: Butler
Post by: Alan Southstand on July 09, 2021, 04:39:26 pm
My thanks to AB, but the Club put Butts in this position, not RW.

We move on and, hopefully, this opens the door for RW’s priority signings.
Title: Re: Butler
Post by: mushRTID on July 09, 2021, 04:40:52 pm
It was clear as day the other week with his twitter post on day 1 of training, what was happening yet some people accused others of jumping to conclusions.

Cheers for everything Butts I will never forget that header at Charlton, what a bloke Thankyou!
Title: Re: Butler
Post by: BillyStubbsTears on July 09, 2021, 04:41:12 pm
He's a club legend for me. He got better with age and that goal at Charlton is one that cold have been scored by only a slack handful of players in the 50 years I've been watching us. I've never in my life seen a goal that more exemplified the desire of a player not to be beaten, and to impose himself physically on the opponent. Players with that strength of will come about very rarely and that moment alone lifted him into the Pantheon of Rovers Greats.

It's a very sad day. I hope he does brilliantly at Boston and beyond.

I am left wondering how much bad blood there was between Wellens and Butler over how Wellens acted in early 2015/16. It was clear at the time that whatever Wellens was doing behind the scenes had thoroughly pissed off Rob Jones and I can guess which side of the dispute Butler would have been on.

Still, on we go.
Title: Re: Butler
Post by: Jersey Rover on July 09, 2021, 04:52:20 pm
I give Wellens 18 months before he pisses the wrong people off. Butler been treated appallingly. Should have been judged on his playing merit for this season not on previous spats.
Title: Re: Butler
Post by: GazLaz on July 09, 2021, 04:56:45 pm
If Wellens didn’t think Butler is good enough then he’s entitled to want rid. He’s signed for a Conference North side, there was hardly a clamour from other EFL clubs to take him.
Title: Re: Butler
Post by: steve@dcfd on July 09, 2021, 05:02:47 pm
Can see people believing it’s personal. We are moving on we are looking at younger defenders with pace. We need to develop them into a  good team. Andy would not have played regularly he’s gone to Boston his contract will have been payed up so he won’t have lost out money wise.
Title: Re: Butler
Post by: RugbyRover on July 09, 2021, 05:07:29 pm
Thanks for the memories Butts.

Relax in the knowledge that you did do us all proud.

 :scarf:
Title: Re: Butler
Post by: Draytonian III on July 09, 2021, 05:08:12 pm
I was told that Boston have been training at Everton, the one near Bawtry not on Merseyside
Title: Re: Butler
Post by: Draytonian III on July 09, 2021, 05:08:54 pm
I give Wellens 18 months before he pisses the wrong people off. Butler been treated appallingly. Should have been judged on his playing merit for this season not on previous spats.


18 months, that long  !!
Title: Re: Butler
Post by: Monkcaster_Rover on July 09, 2021, 05:12:14 pm
Legend in my eyes. Put everything & more into last season.

Thank you, Butts.
Title: Re: Butler
Post by: MachoMadness on July 09, 2021, 05:14:25 pm
We don't know it's personal. Obviously the fans have a lot of affection for Andy but Wellens has to get the most out of his budget, he's been open about moving players on and has said butler's playing time would be limited. There are footballing reasons to move him on, I'm sure if Wellens was the type to hold a grudge he wouldn't have the job.
Title: Re: Butler
Post by: steve@dcfd on July 09, 2021, 05:20:20 pm
We don't know it's personal. Obviously the fans have a lot of affection for Andy but Wellens has to get the most out of his budget, he's been open about moving players on and has said butler's playing time would be limited. There are footballing reasons to move him on, I'm sure if Wellens was the type to hold a grudge he wouldn't have the job.
If the club thought he was being moved on because of grudges they would not allow it to
happen. If people believe in the club then the decision will have been made with all parties involved.
Title: Re: Butler
Post by: RoversAlias on July 09, 2021, 05:30:19 pm
No one will ever tell me that Butler isn't a club legend of Rovers. Course he is.

He's also signed for Boston because he wants to stay in the area and have time to coach, it's nothing to do with who did and didn't want to sign him. Once he narrows down the locality that leaves you with very few clubs in the league. He proved last season he was still good enough on the pitch.
Title: Re: Butler
Post by: Campsall rover on July 09, 2021, 05:30:46 pm
Some serious 2+2=5 going on on here.

No way would Butts have been 1st choice in a centre back 2 or a back 3 this season.
Time to move on and look to the future.

He has been a top player for us, top character and leader on the pitch and a fantastic role model off it.

I wish him well in his role at Boston and in all he does in the future. He deserves success and will be successful, that i have little doubt about.
Title: Re: Butler
Post by: DonnyBazR0ver on July 09, 2021, 05:38:44 pm
No point speculating as we may never know.

Good luck to Andy. Great servant to the club in two spells. A great ambassador on and off the field and will always be one of us.

Unfortunately, the success of the club going forward is more dependent on Wellens than it is on Butler. I don't see it as a either or, just a simple evolution. We have to move on and it's better now than delaying the inevitable due to sentiment.
Title: Re: Butler
Post by: Arsenal Of The North on July 09, 2021, 05:39:07 pm
Paul Green is at Boston and they’ve been training at the Keepmoat, he might have had a persuasive chat to Butts.
Good luck Butts, I was hoping for better things in his management tenure .

I’m pretty sure both Boston and the belles train on the same night at the moat!
Title: Re: Butler
Post by: TheFunk on July 09, 2021, 05:42:40 pm
Not the first player to be treated shoddily by the club in recent years and probably won't be the last. Lived the dream of any Donny lad. Obviously a man who set high standards of himself and those around him. Sadly none met those standards last season. I'm guessing Darren let them toss it off as much as they wanted and when Butler took over they didn't like him laying down the law. In my eyes a legend who never gave less than 100 per cent. Last season nosedived when he dropped himself.
Title: Re: Butler
Post by: Campsall rover on July 09, 2021, 05:46:22 pm
Not the first player to be treated shabbily by the club in recent years and probably won&#03 be the last. Lived the dream of any Donny lad. Obviously a man who set high standards of himself and those around him. Sadly none met those standards last season. I'm guessing Darren let them toss it off as much as they wanted and when Butler took over they didn't like him laying down the law. In my eyes a legend who never gave less than 100 per cent. Last season nosedived when he dropped himself.
Where is the evidence he was treated shabbily. Total rubbish being spouted by a few on here who seem to have an agenda to slag the club off at every opportunity.
Title: Re: Butler
Post by: RoversAlias on July 09, 2021, 05:51:20 pm
Not the first player to be treated shoddily by the club in recent years and probably won't be the last. Lived the dream of any Donny lad. Obviously a man who set high standards of himself and those around him. Sadly none met those standards last season. I'm guessing Darren let them toss it off as much as they wanted and when Butler took over they didn't like him laying down the law. In my eyes a legend who never gave less than 100 per cent. Last season nosedived when he dropped himself.
Where is the evidence he was treated shoddily? Total rubbish being spouted by a few on here who seem to have an agenda to slag the club off at every opportunity.

Come on Campsall, that's clearly not what's happening here. Butler and Wellens had a well-known fall-out a few years ago and his position as the former manager made it a difficult situation from the off. Butler leaving because he's not wanted by Wellens or doesn't fit in the new regime is hardly a far fetched theory, is it? Rovers said he had a place this season until pre-season started after all.

It is speculation either way, but you have no more evidence that all is above board here than anyone who believes otherwise.
Title: Re: Butler
Post by: TheFunk on July 09, 2021, 05:58:36 pm
Not being allowed to train with the first team is pretty shoddy to me. A player who gave everything deserves plenty of respect in my eyes and that smacks of disrespect. Being frozen out of first team training is usually reserved for players who've behaved badly. The fact Butler has left for his own wellbeing speaks volumes for me.
Title: Re: Butler
Post by: Campsall rover on July 09, 2021, 06:00:39 pm
Not the first player to be treated shoddily by the club in recent years and probably won't be the last. Lived the dream of any Donny lad. Obviously a man who set high standards of himself and those around him. Sadly none met those standards last season. I'm guessing Darren let them toss it off as much as they wanted and when Butler took over they didn't like him laying down the law. In my eyes a legend who never gave less than 100 per cent. Last season nosedived when he dropped himself.
Where is the evidence he was treated shoddily? Total rubbish being spouted by a few on here who seem to have an agenda to slag the club off at every opportunity.

Come on Campsall, that's clearly not what's happening here. Butler and Wellens had a well-known fall-out a few years ago and his position as the former manager made it a difficult situation from the off. Butler leaving because he's not wanted by Wellens or doesn't fit in the new regime is hardly a far fetched theory, is it? Rovers said he had a place this season until pre-season started after all.

It is speculation either way, but you have no more evidence that all is above board here than anyone who believes otherwise.
Alias i quote from Funk “ Not the first time the club have treated a player shabbily “

Sorry Alias not often I disagree with anything you post but that is some statement to make isn’t it?
So you think he may have been treated shabbily then. Is that what your saying?  No I don’t have evidence either way but I will not believe that a player of Andy Butlers stature at the club, a player who took over the managerial reigns in difficult circumstances would in any way be treated “shabbily” by DRFC.
Quite the opposite in fact.
Title: Re: Butler
Post by: Campsall rover on July 09, 2021, 06:06:07 pm
Not being allowed to train with the first team is pretty shoddy to me. A player who gave everything deserves plenty of respect in my eyes and that smacks of disrespect. Being frozen out of first team training is usually reserved for players who've behaved badly. The fact Butler has left for his own wellbeing speaks volumes for me.
And you have evidence that he wasn’t allowed to train with the 1st team?   If you do then fair enough.
But I think far too much is being made out of this. If you have hard evidence then I hold my hands up.
Title: Re: Butler
Post by: RoversAlias on July 09, 2021, 06:15:35 pm
Not the first player to be treated shoddily by the club in recent years and probably won't be the last. Lived the dream of any Donny lad. Obviously a man who set high standards of himself and those around him. Sadly none met those standards last season. I'm guessing Darren let them toss it off as much as they wanted and when Butler took over they didn't like him laying down the law. In my eyes a legend who never gave less than 100 per cent. Last season nosedived when he dropped himself.
Where is the evidence he was treated shoddily? Total rubbish being spouted by a few on here who seem to have an agenda to slag the club off at every opportunity.

Come on Campsall, that's clearly not what's happening here. Butler and Wellens had a well-known fall-out a few years ago and his position as the former manager made it a difficult situation from the off. Butler leaving because he's not wanted by Wellens or doesn't fit in the new regime is hardly a far fetched theory, is it? Rovers said he had a place this season until pre-season started after all.

It is speculation either way, but you have no more evidence that all is above board here than anyone who believes otherwise.
Alias i quote from Funk “ Not the first time the club have treated a player shabbily “

Sorry Alias not often I disagree with anything you post but that is some statement to make isn’t it?
So you think he may have been treated shabbily then. Is that what your saying?  No I don’t have evidence either way but I will not believe that a player of Andy Butlers stature at the club, a player who took over the managerial reigns in difficult circumstances would in any way be treated “shabbily” by DRFC.
Quite the opposite in fact.

I think there is good reason to think it's possible Butler has been treated poorly, yes. Free Press have confirmed he wasn't involved in first team training this month, we've seen what he's said about his departure - Funk isn't wrong, Butler saying he's had to leave for his own well-being does speak volumes.

And I know players have been treated shoddily in the past, Butler was one of them two summers ago.

I don't think Butler should or would have been first choice this season, but his experience is invaluable and it appears Wellens just didn't want him around. I don't know that for certain but that's a potential scenario out of the evidence we have about this situation.

Last season he stepped in to a really difficult position, and he gave it his all even when certain players clearly were not playing for him or the shirt. His reward is to not only be passed over for the job long term but to also be hastened towards the door as soon as the new season has begun. He deserves better than that after everything he's done for this club, and the dressing room will be worse off for his departure.
Title: Re: Butler
Post by: Rovers91 on July 09, 2021, 06:32:34 pm
People saying hes been treated poorly we dont know how hes acted following not getting the job and Wellens getting it.
Title: Re: Butler
Post by: Campsall rover on July 09, 2021, 06:32:48 pm
If he has and it is still an IF treated badly then it is McCann and Wellens and not the club.
I am quite sure he will have had his contract fully paid up and he is still part of Club Doncaster in that he has not severed ties with the Belles.

If he had thought the club had treated him badly then would he not have resigned from that post.

Yes I accept Wellens may not have had him in his plans going forward as a player.
He is 37 and his playing days at League 1 level were diminishing fast. Surely Wellens has had to look to the future and use his budget wisely.
May be there is a bit of history between the two of them but that is between Butts and RW.

The statement made was “ not the 1st time the club have treated a player shabbily “

Key word there is Club. That is what i was picking up on.

Let’s move on as i hate this negativity. Positive vibes are good for our well being.
Title: Re: Butler
Post by: jm291 on July 09, 2021, 06:40:45 pm
Great player for us and an absolute gent but it’s time to move on. We want an overhaul with exciting, quick, slick passing football and AB isn’t going to give you that.
Title: Re: Butler
Post by: Chris the Rover on July 09, 2021, 07:11:40 pm
There’s no room for sentiment in professional sport, I’m afraid. AB has been tremendous for this club over the years, but he wouldn’t have got near the first team next season. Do some on here prefer that the club spend money on such a player, or use it on someone more likely to push for a starting place?
Title: Re: Butler
Post by: Alan Southstand on July 09, 2021, 07:16:46 pm
Some totally unfounded mudslinging going on here and from people who I thought were better than they’re currently displaying.

The Club simply have to take some responsibility for the position Butler was in. RW didn’t give him a 2 year playing contract, did he?

At the age he was at, he was very lucky to get a 2 year deal. Even Copps never got 2 years, for goodness sake.

We move on and our role, as supporters, is to get behind whoever the manager is ( and let’s not forget, the Board appointed RW). I would suggest it’s time to do just that.
Title: Re: Butler
Post by: auckleyflyer on July 09, 2021, 07:33:43 pm
I honestly think Andy's time at the club was likely to have come to an end. It's the same in all aspects of work. Difficult to move back to the squad + 75% of managers wouldn't want a replacement looking over their shoulders every day. + It sends out a strong msg from Richie wether you agree or not ? Easy decision.
All the best Andy, hope you smash it with the bells and Boston and get another chance in management one day.
Title: Re: Butler
Post by: RoversAlias on July 09, 2021, 07:48:05 pm
If he has and it is still an IF treated badly then it is McCann and Wellens and not the club.
I am quite sure he will have had his contract fully paid up and he is still part of Club Doncaster in that he has not severed ties with the Belles.

If he had thought the club had treated him badly then would he not have resigned from that post.

Yes I accept Wellens may not have had him in his plans going forward as a player.
He is 37 and his playing days at League 1 level were diminishing fast. Surely Wellens has had to look to the future and use his budget wisely.
May be there is a bit of history between the two of them but that is between Butts and RW.

The statement made was “ not the 1st time the club have treated a player shabbily “

Key word there is Club. That is what i was picking up on.

Let’s move on as i hate this negativity. Positive vibes are good for our well being.

The club appoint the managers and, from what I've seen across various people in the role, give them an awful lot of freedom to do as they see fit. Sometimes to good effect and sometimes not so much.

I am happy to draw a line under this discussion though. I feel Andy Butler should have been kept at the club this season, those in charge think otherwise. That's how it is, and we move on to see how the squad takes shape and the season gets underway.

Alan - Agree with a lot of your post tbh, and it wasn't down to Wellens that he/Butler/the squad were in the position they were in, it was the club.

I will get behind the manager and hope he leads us to success, but I will (as I always have) make observations when I don't agree with something they do. I won't blindly follow the manager's decisions just because of who he is. Wellens has made an encouraging start to his tenure in terms of personnel but I don't agree with how the Butler situation has been handled, or what has led to his departure.

I wanted our squad to have more experience than it had last season, and right now the dressing room has lost Copps and Butler and gained only Rowe, with more loanees likely to be younger on the way in. It was a problem last season and I want the new management to have understood the need to improve on that.
Title: Re: Butler
Post by: GazLaz on July 09, 2021, 08:20:13 pm
Not the first player to be treated shoddily by the club in recent years and probably won't be the last. Lived the dream of any Donny lad. Obviously a man who set high standards of himself and those around him. Sadly none met those standards last season. I'm guessing Darren let them toss it off as much as they wanted and when Butler took over they didn't like him laying down the law. In my eyes a legend who never gave less than 100 per cent. Last season nosedived when he dropped himself.
Where is the evidence he was treated shoddily? Total rubbish being spouted by a few on here who seem to have an agenda to slag the club off at every opportunity.

Come on Campsall, that's clearly not what's happening here. Butler and Wellens had a well-known fall-out a few years ago and his position as the former manager made it a difficult situation from the off. Butler leaving because he's not wanted by Wellens or doesn't fit in the new regime is hardly a far fetched theory, is it? Rovers said he had a place this season until pre-season started after all.

It is speculation either way, but you have no more evidence that all is above board here than anyone who believes otherwise.
Alias i quote from Funk “ Not the first time the club have treated a player shabbily “

Sorry Alias not often I disagree with anything you post but that is some statement to make isn’t it?
So you think he may have been treated shabbily then. Is that what your saying?  No I don’t have evidence either way but I will not believe that a player of Andy Butlers stature at the club, a player who took over the managerial reigns in difficult circumstances would in any way be treated “shabbily” by DRFC.
Quite the opposite in fact.

I think there is good reason to think it's possible Butler has been treated poorly, yes. Free Press have confirmed he wasn't involved in first team training this month, we've seen what he's said about his departure - Funk isn't wrong, Butler saying he's had to leave for his own well-being does speak volumes.

And I know players have been treated shoddily in the past, Butler was one of them two summers ago.

I don't think Butler should or would have been first choice this season, but his experience is invaluable and it appears Wellens just didn't want him around. I don't know that for certain but that's a potential scenario out of the evidence we have about this situation.

Last season he stepped in to a really difficult position, and he gave it his all even when certain players clearly were not playing for him or the shirt. His reward is to not only be passed over for the job long term but to also be hastened towards the door as soon as the new season has begun. He deserves better than that after everything he's done for this club, and the dressing room will be worse off for his departure.

That’s football. Similar situations will be happening at most clubs, especially ones with recently appointed managers. It’s a serious business and sometimes decisions are made that may rub people up the wrong way.

If Richie and Butts didn’t get on or whatever, do you thing we should have paid Butts a wage for a season with no intention of playing him?
Title: Re: Butler
Post by: Barmby Rover on July 09, 2021, 08:24:37 pm
A very decent centre half in his time, a disaster as a manager. I wish him well, but like everybody else he has to accept the fact that we all get older.
Title: Re: Butler
Post by: sha66y on July 09, 2021, 08:35:55 pm
Drama queens !
Wellens is building a team snowflakes!
he will do it his way….so save ya yapping for the season ahead instead of creating bloody drama out of every twist n turn of fate…

Title: Re: Butler
Post by: wilts rover on July 09, 2021, 08:43:14 pm
Great player, character and ambassador for the club. Shame it didn't work out last season, but there you go. Thanks for the memories Butts, good luck at Boston and hope to see you back at the club in some role or another in the future.
Title: Re: Butler
Post by: RoversAlias on July 09, 2021, 09:58:25 pm
Not the first player to be treated shoddily by the club in recent years and probably won't be the last. Lived the dream of any Donny lad. Obviously a man who set high standards of himself and those around him. Sadly none met those standards last season. I'm guessing Darren let them toss it off as much as they wanted and when Butler took over they didn't like him laying down the law. In my eyes a legend who never gave less than 100 per cent. Last season nosedived when he dropped himself.
Where is the evidence he was treated shoddily? Total rubbish being spouted by a few on here who seem to have an agenda to slag the club off at every opportunity.

Come on Campsall, that's clearly not what's happening here. Butler and Wellens had a well-known fall-out a few years ago and his position as the former manager made it a difficult situation from the off. Butler leaving because he's not wanted by Wellens or doesn't fit in the new regime is hardly a far fetched theory, is it? Rovers said he had a place this season until pre-season started after all.

It is speculation either way, but you have no more evidence that all is above board here than anyone who believes otherwise.
Alias i quote from Funk “ Not the first time the club have treated a player shabbily “

Sorry Alias not often I disagree with anything you post but that is some statement to make isn’t it?
So you think he may have been treated shabbily then. Is that what your saying?  No I don’t have evidence either way but I will not believe that a player of Andy Butlers stature at the club, a player who took over the managerial reigns in difficult circumstances would in any way be treated “shabbily” by DRFC.
Quite the opposite in fact.

I think there is good reason to think it's possible Butler has been treated poorly, yes. Free Press have confirmed he wasn't involved in first team training this month, we've seen what he's said about his departure - Funk isn't wrong, Butler saying he's had to leave for his own well-being does speak volumes.

And I know players have been treated shoddily in the past, Butler was one of them two summers ago.

I don't think Butler should or would have been first choice this season, but his experience is invaluable and it appears Wellens just didn't want him around. I don't know that for certain but that's a potential scenario out of the evidence we have about this situation.

Last season he stepped in to a really difficult position, and he gave it his all even when certain players clearly were not playing for him or the shirt. His reward is to not only be passed over for the job long term but to also be hastened towards the door as soon as the new season has begun. He deserves better than that after everything he's done for this club, and the dressing room will be worse off for his departure.

That’s football. Similar situations will be happening at most clubs, especially ones with recently appointed managers. It’s a serious business and sometimes decisions are made that may rub people up the wrong way.

If Richie and Butts didn’t get on or whatever, do you thing we should have paid Butts a wage for a season with no intention of playing him?

Of course, you're totally right but doesn't mean I (or anyone else) has to agree with it or like it. I don't feel Butler really got a chance here this side of the manager being appointed and it doesn't sit quite right with me.

I backed the appointment of Wellens as the best choice and I back him to get us going again, but I'm not pleased to see it end this way for Buts and I'm not yet convinced that Wellens' "my way or the highway" approach will always lead us down the right path. Hope I'm proven wrong on that one.
Title: Re: Butler
Post by: CJK on July 10, 2021, 07:29:36 am
Really disappointed to see a Butler leave. Club legend for me, not often players from the town reach 200 appearances for the club is it? Great leader on the pitch and presumably around the club more generally. Model pro to boot. Bought into the wider Club Doncaster ethos. As others have alluded to, losing the experience of Copps and Butler at the same time will leave a big hole.

Signing for Boston makes a lot of sense, they train at the KM, as do the Belles and he can stay in the area without any travelling.

Good luck AB, you did Donny proud.
Title: Re: Butler
Post by: Herbert Anchovy on July 10, 2021, 07:34:01 am
Drama queens !
Wellens is building a team snowflakes!
he will do it his way….so save ya yapping for the season ahead instead of creating bloody drama out of every twist n turn of fate…

Snowflakes?
Title: Re: Butler
Post by: Alan Southstand on July 10, 2021, 07:58:14 am
Quote
I backed the appointment of Wellens as the best choice and I back him to get us going again, but I'm not pleased to see it end this way for Buts and I'm not yet convinced that Wellens' "my way or the highway" approach will always lead us down the right path.

Jumping to your own conclusions again, Alias. Who says it’s a ‘my way or the highway’ approach - other than you? The manager is doing what he feels is right for the Club and he wants total commitment (much like McCann did) and I see nothing wrong with it at all.

Something is working, as the latest news is we now have a left sided forward player having a medical this very morning. Next up - defensive midfielder!
Title: Re: Butler
Post by: Jonathan on July 10, 2021, 08:07:31 am
It’s a shame Butler has gone in circumstances that have clearly not been ideal for him. I’m a big fan of Butler and defended him to the hilt when people were aiming some very harsh and unfair comments at him during his stint as manager. He deserves more respect than he got then, and he deserves our respect and well wishes now he’s gone. I’d have liked him to stay as part of the squad and the coaching staff too. But we appointed Wellens as manager, not Butler and not me, so that view is immaterial! I’m delighted with nearly everything I’ve heard from Wellens so far and back him 100%. If he thinks this is in the best interests of the club, and Butler has swiftly got fixed up elsewhere, then we all carry on. No point dwelling on this or blowing it up into something it doesn’t need to be.

Good luck Andy Butler and thank you for everything you did for us, especially that goal at Charlton. You definitely made us proud, it would be good to see you back at DRFC one day in some capacity.

Good luck Richie Wellens, let’s make some new memories.
Title: Re: Butler
Post by: graingrover on July 10, 2021, 08:16:27 am
I think it is best for all parties that Andy has gone to a new club to play .He inevitably is associated with our woeful demise last season and Wellens clearly is determined to wipe all slates clean .He has not been sacked ,has left by mutual consent and still manages Belles
Title: Re: Butler
Post by: Metalmicky on July 10, 2021, 08:25:43 am
Agree with Jonathon here.  He leaves with my full respect and should depart with his head held high.  I for one will be looking out for Boston's results on a Saturday.  Let's remember though he is still part of Club Doncaster and still has an important job to do with the Belles...
Title: Re: Butler
Post by: RoversAlias on July 10, 2021, 10:14:46 am
Quote
I backed the appointment of Wellens as the best choice and I back him to get us going again, but I'm not pleased to see it end this way for Buts and I'm not yet convinced that Wellens' "my way or the highway" approach will always lead us down the right path.

Jumping to your own conclusions again, Alias. Who says it’s a ‘my way or the highway’ approach - other than you? The manager is doing what he feels is right for the Club and he wants total commitment (much like McCann did) and I see nothing wrong with it at all.

Something is working, as the latest news is we now have a left sided forward player having a medical this very morning. Next up - defensive midfielder!

We don't know if anything is "working" under Wellens yet, quite frankly. As of right now he has managed precisely zero Doncaster Rovers games, and we don't know if any of his signings will turn out to be any good. Fans always get excited by signings and new additions, doesn't mean automatically that it's good.

I think this is my last post on the matter for now, anyway. I am behind the club and look forward to the season, but Butler's departure is a blot on the summer for me and that opinion won't change. I'm sorry he's gone and I'm dismayed it has happened the way it has, I've not "jumped" to any conclusions, merely assessed what I know about it and come to my own determinations based on that information.
Title: Re: Butler
Post by: normal rules on July 11, 2021, 09:03:18 am
I never need too much of an excuse to go watch my local team, but with a brand new ground to look forward to visiting and now this!!!!
Title: Re: Butler
Post by: steve@dcfd on July 13, 2021, 11:19:03 am
Just read the latest article from Liam Hoden RW had discussion with Andy he wanted to play football so he’s found that at Boston where he could play every week if selected. The club and RW have looked after Andy with the pay up he’s received. Although RW said he would liked moved players out he’s not saved much money due giving the money that Andy deserves.

This should have come out from the club when the decision was made instead of waiting for an article in the free press and allowing for supporters to put their own conspiracy theories forward.
Title: Re: Butler
Post by: jamesrover17 on July 13, 2021, 11:38:05 am
I'm pretty sure I read somewhere that AB wasn't on a great deal of money in his second spell, it was more of a signing 'from upstairs' so that he could step in when Moore eventually left, probably why paying him up hasn't freed up much in terms of wages
Title: Re: Butler
Post by: Bessie Red on July 13, 2021, 11:58:50 am
Just read the latest article from Liam Hoden RW had discussion with Andy he wanted to play football so he’s found that at Boston where he could play every week if selected. The club and RW have looked after Andy with the pay up he’s received. Although RW said he would liked moved players out he’s not saved much money due giving the money that Andy deserves.

This should have come out from the club when the decision was made instead of waiting for an article in the free press and allowing for supporters to put their own conspiracy theories forward.
He was initially offered a loan deal with Boston but turned it down. He was never in RW plans for the coming season. Although sad to see Butts go, it is probably the best solution all round to avoid any conflict at the club.
Title: Re: Butler
Post by: Alan Southstand on July 13, 2021, 04:00:17 pm
Quote by Alias:
It is speculation either way, but you have no more evidence that all is above board here than anyone who believes otherwise.

It’s not speculation now! Care to reconsider your thoughts, along with a few others?
Title: Re: Butler
Post by: steve@dcfd on July 13, 2021, 04:08:51 pm
Bessie we have three young centre halves one who RW judges to be one of the best in league one in Anderson two younger centre halves with pace. Andy was fourth in line and would not have been playing therefore as you say Boston appear to offered a loan. He did not want that therefore through negotiations with the club he was payed up for the benefit of Andy. So as others have said he not been kicked out the club a realisation that he was not going to get enough games has led to a move to Boston with a financial settlement which suits him and possibly the club.
Title: Re: Butler
Post by: RoversAlias on July 13, 2021, 05:08:19 pm
Quote by Alias:
It is speculation either way, but you have no more evidence that all is above board here than anyone who believes otherwise.

It’s not speculation now! Care to reconsider your thoughts, along with a few others?

No I do not wish to reconsider them. I'm glad the club paid Butler up but the facts of this remain what they were the other day. Just a little but more of it is now in the public domain thanks to that article. Wellens didn't want him and Butler wanted better for himself, even if he didn't want to leave Rovers.

I'm not saying any more on this here.
Title: Re: Butler
Post by: Metalmicky on August 03, 2021, 11:05:11 am
Good piece on Butler by Andrew Taylor in the Free Press.

https://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/sport/football/andy-butler-how-football-gives-and-takes-away-3332309
Title: Re: Butler
Post by: acacia94 on August 03, 2021, 11:43:34 am
Thats a great piece – thanks MM for posting here.
Title: Re: Butler
Post by: Monkcaster_Rover on August 03, 2021, 11:47:05 am
Thank you for sharing. Hoping to see Butts in town one day. I'd like to buy him a drink.

Still don't think he gets the recognition he deserves.