Butler Wants Out

By: Rob Sedgwick
Date: 03/09/2008

TOWN Striker Martin Butler has again requested to leave Blundell Park, pointing to the 360 round mile trip he has to travel from his Worcester home to attend training sessions. Butler wanted to leave last season as he was not happy with the commuting time, and once more the issue has raised its head.

Town chairman John Fenty told the Grimsby Telegraph: "Martin communicated to the club last week that the travelling was getting him down, stating that by the time he had finished travelling to the ground (three to four hours) it was affecting his game. It's the second time in his time here that this has come up - the last time was at the start of the year and was well-documented.

"We spoke to Martin about stopping over in between training sessions and we discussed different forms of transport, but at this moment in time, Martin doesn't see that there is a solution to his problem. Of course, this is affecting Grimsby Town Football Club and we are working on how to resolve this as we speak."

The club are still trying to find a compromise which would allow Butler to remain at Blundell Park.

"I can categorically state that we are trying to find a way forward and looking to get the best out of Martin and not just end his contract. Everyone knows that he has been a good player in his career and that's why we signed him.

"It hasn't worked out as well as we would have liked but we haven't just decided to cut our losses. Martin is under contract with us until the end of the season and we want to get the best out of him. It may not turn out like that but we are trying."

Grim Rob Says: If a player is not happy at the club in general he should be allowed to leave as it inevitably impacts on the performance of both the player and his teammates. If Butler will not move, and GTFC certainly will not train elsewhere, then no compromise would seem to suggest itself. Town should look for a replacement and, once secured, Butler should be allowed to leave Blundell Park.

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