Martin Butler – Jorge’s view

Martin Butler’s signing has on the whole been greeted with encouraging noises.However the signing doesn’t come without some baggage.

Older fans will remember a young Martin Butler starting his career at Walsall. As seemed the fashion at the time, despite been a central striker he was given his chance out wide and even at full back. The mixed performances led to the fans getting on his back and number of faults been laid at his door. Mainly been too light weight and not having the required work rate. However despite this crushing weight upon his shoulders the ability was also on show. I remember a stunning long range goal away at Blackpool to spoil there promotion bid particularly. So after 8 league goals in 43 starts he moved on to make his name with Cambridge, Reading, and Rotherham.

Whenever Martin lined up against the Saddlers he has had quite a lot of ‘stick’ no more so than after scoring against us for Reading in that play off final. However the first signs of a reconcilation came in that fateful last day game which saw us relelgated. The two clear cut chances he missed for Rotherham, even had then Rotherham manager Ronnie Moore asking if it was possible he missed then on purpose. So perhaps Martin has always had an affinity for the Bescot boys.

However one cannot also doubt his desire to give everything for the cause, since he certainly isn’t light weight or lazy. Just ask Andy Oakes who was floored by an over zealous challenge on the opening day at Millmoor.

So his journey brings him back to Bescot following combined fees which almost make the million mark. He has a proven goalscoring record in League one and Championship level. He has had a poor season following illness (hepititus) which requires a lenghtly rehabilitation. This period which should be over now means he should be ready for the next challenge.

His relationship with the Rotherham fans has suffered last season as he was veiwed as a high wage earner who wouldn’t help the club by cutting his wages or leaving when the options arose. So when the end of season came perhaps his heart really did rule his head, as he apparently turned down offers from Yeovil, Brentford(who tried to sign him in January) as well as interest from Championship side Southend.

I for one hope that the Bescot faithful give him a chance to settle and prove his worth by getting the goals which will start our journey up the leagues. A chance to become not only a Walsall hero but perhaps a true legend, the thing that the young lad from Dudley really wanted when he came through the Walsall ranks.