His Actions Speak For Him

Simon Wright on Milan Butterfield’s permanent signing

In football, timing is important. Being in the right place, at the right time with the right manager. For some ‘ballers like Milan Butterfield, so often timing just doesn’t align for them. In fact, you could add ‘right name’ into the mix as Milan uses his second name rather than Kacy his first name.

Butterfield was born in Hamilton, the capital of Bermuda, still the UK’s largest overseas territory. He learnt his football trade with Robin Hood.   OK pick your own one liner here. This is a Bermuda Premier League club who you’d just love to have some creative fundraising methods.  Coaches included his dad Casey, taking time out from his property management business and Kyle Lightbourne who later secured young Milan his first big break.  His cousin Jnail Steele was a team mate who also played for his country.

The teenager had caught the eyes of various scouts and one of these led to a 3-month trial at Premier League Bournemouth. 13 weeks seems a very long time for a trial.  The experience was very useful.  From there, based on a tip from their ex-striker Lightbourne, Walsall offered a trial.  Manager Dean Smith was impressed and offered a deal. Sadly, Milan was immediately injured and was returned home to recover.   When the Bermudan returned to the Black Country, Smith had moved on.  Walsall did offer a deal but without the influence of Smith, his stay was likely to be a short one.

His next club was the Kidderminster Harriers Academy where he refined his trade under a certain Russ Penn. 49 Kiddy first team appearances followed, 3 goals and several full appearances for his country.  To date, that remains his most appearances for one club.

 The young, powerful midfielder was spotted by Step One Chesterfield. An opportunity tfor him o progress though with the danger of losing his stable base.

Said Russ using polite managers code: “Milan is a talented player and we’re proud of the role we’ve played in developing him as a player. It became clear that early in the summer Milan was destined to move onto a new challenge.”

A promising move up a league was quickly halted when the Chesterfield manager who bought him was sacked. His replacement didn’t fancy the midfielder, loaned him out and then didn’t renew his deal.

When you’re a certain height, there’s always Alfreton. Sort of compulsory if you’re 6 foot 4 to do time there. Its two years football national service for big blokes. 

Having “done his bit”, for the  Derbyshire Reds, Butterfield moved to Nuneaton. A club of some status with an imaginative media team who insisted Milan “likes to buy supporters a beer in the bar..”  Sadly, there was little tine to test that unlikely theory as the club sunk fast and closed mid-season.

Stourbridge did for a while before Basford offered better times.  And they were better times with his status raised quickly to a contracted player and then.. his club had money issues.  United needed him off the wage bill and his old Harriers boss Penn came to the rescue. Under his watchful eye, the Birmingham-based baller is again showing his best power and pace form for the Yeltz.

Halesowen might be the right club, right time and right Gaffer for our laidback midfielder of few words. A stable club with upward ambition where his actions do the talking.