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Archived News from September 2017

STAGS SIGN CALUM BUTCHER FROM MILLWALL
6th September 2017 0:35


Stags capture promotion winning midfielder
mansfieldtown.net, Thursday 31 August 2017

Mansfield Town have won the race to capture the signature of double promotion winning midfielder Calum Butcher.

The 26-year-old midfielder, previously with Millwall, turned down offers from clubs in the EFL to put pen to paper at One Call Stadium.

Butcher began his senior career at Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur after progressing through the youth ranks at Ipswich Town and Southend United, respectively.

After spells in Denmark with FC Hjørring and non-league with Hayes & Yeading United, the Essex-born midfielder joined Scottish side Dundee United in 2013.

https://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/2017/august/stags-capture-midfielder/

After helping the Terrors reach the Scottish League Cup final, he was offered a new deal at the end of the season, but turned it down and instead opted to join then-League One side Burton Albion.

The dynamic midfielder made 43 appearances for the Brewers as they won promotion from League One to the Championship in Butcher’s first season at the club.

He made three appearances and scored once at the start of the 2016/17 season, but left the Pirelli Stadium to link up with Millwall in August 2016.

He played 40 times for the Lions in all competitions last season, including the League One play-off final which resulted in Neil Harris’ side winning promotion to the Championship.

Butcher said he was attracted to make the move to north Nottinghamshire after learning of Stags’ ambition and working under boss Steve Evans.

“There were [other] clubs in for me, but after speaking with the manager and what he’s trying to build, it was a ‘no brainer’,” said Butcher. “I insisted to my agent that we get the deal done as soon as possible. I’m really happy to get it done.

“The club’s ambition, where it’s going and where it wants to be, and working with a manager like Steve who knows how to win promotions made me want to sign.”

Describing his style of play, he said: “I like to break forward and hopefully score some goals. I want to bring a bit of everything to the side this season.

“I’m more of an attacking midfielder, I like to get in the box and get on the end of things and break forward.”

Summing up his Deadline Day move, Butcher added: “It’s exciting. I have a young family who’ll be moving up with me. I want to get settled as soon as possible, hit the ground running and stamp my authority on the side.”


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Steve Evans told EFL Matters on Sky Sports:
"Players want to play as high as they can.
The young boy Butcher we've just signed ... I think in the last few weeks he's been hoping a reasonable sized and good club in League One comes in.
The ones that did come were rivals to Millwall so Neil Harris calls me and says we don't want him going there so suddenly you become part of the bigger picture."

"We're trying to do one more deal which would be a club record. We're not sure whether it's going to go ahead but the Chief Executive is trying as we speak."
(comment by Martin - obviously this didn't go ahead)
(comment from Martin - this was presumably the player who Evans refered to during interview the day before as: “We have found out someone is available this morning.
I got the call from his agent and we’ve asked what the level of deal would be. It would be a surprise if that one happened as I struggle to think for one minute that this kid is going to be playing in League Two when the window slams shut. He plays on the right side where we have two or three good options")

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twitter John Radford @JRadfordMTFC
A quality addition, previously gaining promotion twice from League One.
We have the strength and ability to fulfil our ambitions.
COYS!!!

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Butcher leaves Millwall
Thursday 31 August 2017
https://www.millwallfc.co.uk/news/2017/august/butcher-leaves-millwall/#

Millwall Football Club can confirm that Calum Butcher’s contract has been terminated by mutual consent.

The midfielder joined The Lions in August 2016 and made 43 appearances last term, helping Millwall achieve promotion to the Championship in the process.

Butcher, 26, has seen his opportunities become limited so far in this campaign, however, and he is now free to search for a new club.

The club would like to thank Calum for his service and wish him all the best for the future.

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Stags boss Steve Evans exclusively told Sky Sports News at 5.45pm:

“We’re trying to sign a Millwall player, a young lad called Calum Butcher. He’s done really well at Millwall.

“He had a fantastic spell at Burton Albion when they were promoted to the Championship. He’s been highly recommended by Nigel [Clough]. He’s having a medical.

“I’ve left it with the chief executive who has been pulling this together for the last two or three days with the agent and player.

“Terms have been agreed for the player and I spoke to Neil Harris and he’s happy with it.

“Let’s hope the medical goes well and our chief executive can get it over the line because there are four or five clubs in League One after the boy. So it would be a big statement for us to get him through the door.”

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