BUTLER UNITED HISTORY
It started with one boy
The saga began when local villager Ben Shaw discovered an interest in football when he was in his early teens. Ben signed up to play with a team outside the village but never managed to get a game - always appearing as a substitute. His mother explained: "After a while he walked in and said 'I've had enough. I don't want to spend another game on the bench'. His father told him jokingly to start his own team and to go see the parish council, which was just across the road. "He was so upset he stormed across to see them and came back and said 'I've got £500 to start a football club'. But there wasn't anywhere to play so that was when we started hiring the now legendary Sheldon Field Stadium. A herd of cattle were evicted and the field was turned into a football pitch. Now we've got a proper football team with it's own ground. "It has all come from a boy who couldn't get a match."
Early days
After securing a pitch Ben set about building a team, back in the day Butler was awash with local talent of various ages and Ben quickly set about enlisting the services of the legendary Chris 'never missses' Dafforne, Mike 'the cat' Bodie, 'Krauto Dowie', Oggy, Mike 'Jack' Campbell, Nathan Kendal, Andrew 'Twazo' Walker, Simon Randall, Toby Chapman, Tom 'jetsetboona' Crow and Luke 'Martino' to name but a few. (Please feel free to email your name to us for this list).
The earliest game in (my) memory was a significant defeat to Melton Mowbray Building Society away at Melton in 1994-95 in which several of the younger players fathers also embarrassed themselves!). The club then signed up to the Nottingham Sunday Football League Junior Division 4 and finished second or third bottom above Jaguar FC. The culture shock and rough and tumble of the City league proved too much for our first season and a period of team building in a Notts Friendly league the following season was to lay the foundations for a long future.
The Sheldon Field Stadium regeneration project
Back in the day the Sheldon Field was little more than a nobbly pasture ground for sheep, cows and bulls, the pitch itself was merely fenced off with an electric wire - although in those days it was connected to a car battery! The initial changing rooms were an empty stable which had to be swept out before each home game and facilities were non-existent, i.e. no power, no water, no pathway, nada! After two or three seasons the pitch was moved to its current location and a new set of changing rooms were constructed - once again without power or water.
These remained our home for several more years until the threat of eviction threatened to end our stay at The Sheldon. The owners of the land decided to sell, but in an unusual move the trust which owned the land offered it to the village.. and refused to sell it to anyone else. Villagers set up a trust to manage the site and spent a year negotiating access rights and raising £24,000 to buy it. As per Arsenal and the Emirates Stadium - team development was placed on the back burner and several key players had to be sold to raise funds. The club battled on regardless under the stewardship of Ian Hunt and gained amateur status which helped attract a number of big name signings of the 'law enforcing type' including Howard Shinn, Jeff Haywood, 'Waz', and several other 'ringers' including Steve 'Founts' Fountain who went on to enjoy several years at the club despite only originally wanting to play one game!
The day of the clubs biggest victory came on Saturday July 24th, 2000 when Dennis Barratt, who at 93 is (was) the oldest village resident and played in the original village football team in the 1920s. In the same season Butler United finished runners-up in the Melton League Cup, plans were also made to widen the pitch, create a junior and second team and an area where youngsters can play five-a-side in the evening.
Compiled by:
Nathan Kendal
..........................................................................................................................................................................................................
HONOURS
| Season | |
| 1999-00 | Melton & District League Div 2 Runners up Promoted ) / Melton & District Knock-out Cup Runners Up. |
| 2000-01 | Melton & District League Div 1- 3rd place |
| 2001-02 | Melton & District League Div 1- 3rd place / Melton & District Knock-out Cup Winners |
| 2002-03 | EMPAL Div 4 - Runners up - Promoted |
| 2003-04 | EMPAL Div 3 - Runners up - Promoted |
| 2004-05 | EMPAL Div 2 - 5th |
| 2005-06 | EMPAL Div 2- 10th |
| 2006-07 | EMPAL Div 2 - (Amalgamated) BUTLER- BENFICA FC |
..........................................................................................................................................................................................................
A SELECTION OF MATCH REPORTS. Compiled by Errol Gibbs
Melton & District Knock-Out Cup Final.
BUTLER UNITED 2 MELTON TOWN 1
Sunday May 05 2002 Asfordby Sports & Amateur Club Asfordby Att;87
The Crows of Cropwell Butler, Butler United, stunned the footballing world yesterday with an unbelievable team performance to win the "Melton F.A.Cup" by beating red hot favourites Melton Town. This result has sent shockwaves reverberating from The Melton Post to Fleet Street as Melton Town, unbeaten treble winners for three consecutive years were given the shock of their lives by United in an emotionally charged white hot cup atmosphere in the Asfordby cauldron.
Player/Manager Gibbs only had the veteran Thompson missing from a full strength squad and elected a 4-4-2 formation with Deacon, returning fit from a London marathon performance in his diving suit, Fountain and Crow on the bench.An overcast sky and a breeze on their backs Butler attacked the end where one man and his dog were standing. From the whistle it soon became apparent that Butler were pumped up for this one, Gibbs and Williams taking no prisoners in midfield and took a deserved early lead in the 6th minute. Williams fed CHRIS CAMPBELL through from the halfway line and the young svelte banker broke free with a terrific burst of pace, skillfully evading three challenges before clinically firing into the far corner and sending the Butler contingent into raptures.
From the re-start Butler were in no mood to let the cup favourites back in the game with tackles flying in all corners of the pitch. PC Wragg's industrious running upfront was causing all sorts of mayhem in the Melton back four, but it was the pace and adroitness of C. Campbell which was proving to be the key to Butler's attacking blitz. The crow's passion and commitment paid dividends again in the 22nd minute when Steve Campbell's run down the right flank and cross was met by his brother CHRIS CAMPBELL whose sweetly struck drive again gave the keeper no chance 2-0.
Confidence was now flowing through Butler's veins as they continuously forced their opponents to defend deep in their own half, not allowing them any time on the ball. A Melton corner was expertly fisted clear by Hunt and from the resulting break Butterworth earned a corner.The corner itself found PC Wragg with a golden opportunity to make it 3-0 but he headed agonizingly wide from 5 yards out.
Melton were now slowly getting back in the game as Butler visibly tired as the half closed.Disaster struck on the half hour for the Crows as Player of the Year Heap landed awkwardly after winning a challenge and dislocated his shoulder.The ambulance arrived after 5 minutes giving him time to have a couple of fags on the touchline and watch the smoldering intensity on the pitch unfold.Deacon replaced Casanova Heap and slotted into the action with Walker who was winning every aerial dual with the Melton's burly no 10. A robust challenge by the ramboesque Wilde saw him lucky to escape a card and then minutes later found himself free in the Melton box only to fluff his opportunity wide.
H-T 2-0
The carnival atmosphere continued after the break as this pulsating cup tie threatened to boil over. Melton appeared to have the good fortune of a stronger wind and soon Butler were on the back foot as a couple of Melton half time team changes, a five man midfield and a more determined approach was troubling United. The vociferous Hunt needed to be alert with his clearances as Melton poured on the pressure. Campbell had a 35 yard effort fly inches wide before Melton pulled a goal back. A corner was squared to the edge of the box ,a first time cross was headed onto a striker who stooped to head home at the far post
2-1.
United's captain Gee, prompted by the over wound Williams, encouraged his teammates as Melton at last threatened to dominate the game. An amazing goalmouth scramble in the 71st minute saw half a dozen players on a crowded Crows goal line as the linesman judged the ball as not having crossed the line. United breathed another sigh of relief five minutes later when Town's no.8 missed the easiest chance of the game scuffing his shot wide from 6 yards.The Crow's battling qualities were shining through now though as Williams and Gibbs continued to wind up Melton's midfielders, both fortunate to escape booking's with late tackles.
Melton Town began to feel the pressure themselves as the referee stopped the game and gave a free-kick to Butler as 2 Melton players violently argued amongst themselves and their bench!!With 15 minutes remaining PC Wragg out sprinted a defender on the left touchline and his cross was met by Steve Campbell at the front post only for his effort to be miraculously saved by the keeper from close range. A looping header with 5 minutes to go almost brought a Melton equalizer but Hunt managed to tip the ball over the bar. Fountain replaced Butterworth as Butler bid to hold on to an astonishing victory.
Berserk scenes in the dying moments as whistles and howls from the touchline pleaded for the ref to blow the final whistle. And then he did. And Butler United had won their first trophy in the clubs history. And deserved it!!!!
F-T 2-1
F.A CUP 1973....SUNDERLAND 1 LEEDS O F.A CUP 1988....WIMBLEDON 1 LIVERPOOL 0 MELTON CUP 2002....BUTLER UNITED 2 MELTON TOWN 1
Cup shocks are legendary in the football world and this result will go down as one of the all-time greats. An inspired team performance high on spirit,commitment and passion and an implausible attitude were the reasons United emerged victorious.
Butler United now have the chance of an unprecedented treble. A draw next week at Skillington will see them take a Melton mini-league trophy and a win against the Wheatsheaf on the 19th May will see the Cropwell Cup in the Crow's clutches.Player/manager Gibbs is now under revised contractual negotiations with club officials as this silverware has added a few noughts to the equation.....
Butler United--Hunt,Gee,Wilde,Walker,Heap,Butterworth,Williams,Gibbs,Wragg,C.Campbell,S.Campbell--Deacon,Fountain,Crow.
Man of the match--Chris Campbell
BUTLER UNITED PERFORMANCE RATINGS(out of 10)
HUNT-10GEE-10WILDE-10WALKER-10HEAP-10BUTTERWORTH-10WILLIAMS-10GIBBS-10C.CAMPBELL-10S.CAMPBELL-10WRAGG-10DEACON-10FOUNTAIN-10CROW-10
B.U.F.C 2001/2002 presentation...
PLAYER OF THE YEAR --CARL HEAP
PLAYER'S PLAYER OF THE YEAR--CARL HEAP
LEADING GOAL SCORER--CHRIS CAMPBELL
..........................................................................................................................................................................................................
Kettleby 0 Butler Utd 3
Sunday Mar 03 2002,
Melton & District Sunday Morning Football League,Cup Competition--Pool 1,Main Street,Asfordby.Att;12 ( inc.prams and dogs )With the Melton & District League season coming to a premature end due to a combination of teams dropping out mid-season and calamitous organization / communications by league officials, and a respectable 3rd place finish in the bag, Butler Utd took up the challenge of the league's offer of a new Knockout tournament . Butler were drawn in a tough Pool 1 with lower league opponents Skillington and Kettleby. The trip to Kettleby was made with some degree of confidence as United had earlier in the season disposed of their opponents 9-2 at the Sheldon in the 1st round of the Knock-Out Cup.Fountain(broken toe) and Deacon(Bob the builder tickets) missed the showdown in Asfordby with Steve Campbell drafted in up front.Before a ball was kicked there were numerous complaints from fans and players alike about the quagmire called a "pitch". In the warm-up Williams up-ended himself with his very first touch a-la Charlie Chaplin due to the farcical conditions in the centre of the "farmers field".The opening minutes saw the Crows playing positive, attacking football and looking dangerous with each move forward. Walker went close with a header and PC Wragg and S.Campbell's off the ball running was creating havoc in the Kettleby defence.United were avoiding the bog in the centre of the pitch by concentrating play on the flanks with Chris Campbell switching to outside right. This nearly paid dividends in the 21st minute when silky wing play from the svelte Bishop boy Campbell forced a corner in which a mad goalmouth scramble and yet another effort from the bonce of Walker produced good blocks from the in form Kettleby keeper. Williams got his customary yellow card in the 25th for apparent dissent only for the "Kettles" to have a glorious opportunity to take the lead 2 minutes later. Crows keeper Hunt was judged to have shoved a Kettleby forward on the goal line prior to a corner kick, and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Fortunately for Butler, the same diminutive striker blasted wide from 12 yards.The black and blue stripes of Butler at last took the lead on the half hour. Thompson won the ball in the centre circle and placed STEVE CAMPBELL through on goal. The Preston University stud(ent) shrugged off a challenge and calmly beat the advancing keeper. Butler were now showing their strength with the authoritive Williams and skilful Heap standing out. Swift one touch football on United's right flank resulted in Chris Campbell again skipping the tackles ,getting to the byline and crossing for PC WRAGG to thump home at the far post 2-0 to Butler.
The right hand side touchline's throng were witness to the ugly side of football minutes later though, when Butler's Wilde lived up to his hardman image with a late and wild tackle on a Kettleby winger and was more than fortunate to escape with just a yellow card.
H-T 0-2
No tactical switches from either teams after the break but the Kettleby team started the more aggressive obviously due to a roasting from their management but still struggled to create any serious threat to the Crows goal. In the 55th minute Butler's Gee went on one of his headless chicken runs down the left hand side feeding Butterworth who in turn put Wragg through whose shot and was well saved by the impressive plump Kettleby keeper. The game now appeared to be more evenly contested as the Kettles forced a number of corners trying to get back in the game.
Butler brought on the wise head of player/manager Gibbs in place of the injured Thompson in the 70th minute to pick up the pieces in midfield. Rich Butterworth did not do him self justice all morning sporting his new pair of £700 pair Adidas Falldoonagain boots and he too was substituted in the 75th minute and replaced by Tom Crow. This was an inspired piece of tactical play by the Crow's bench as moments later Crow himself killed off the game. Williams won a tussle in midfield and defied his advancing years by outpacing 2 defenders in the 80th minute and worked some magic with PC Wragg on the edge of the penalty area. The ball was released to Gibbs who turned deftly 15 yards out and whose shot was well stopped by the keeper but the ball ran loose to TOM CROW who reacted the quickest and confidently whacked the ball into the net from 6 yards.
F-T 0-3
Yet another comfortable win by the black n blues as they stretched their unbeaten run again to 7 games. United must be confident of going through this pool and could easily end up with another semi-final appearance to look forward to!! The return fixture with Kettleby is scheduled for Sunday March 10 and then the proverbial "big one " semi-final of the Knock-Out Cup against the "big boys" and strong favourites of Blue Bell F.C a week later.
Man Of The Match -- Carl Heap
Butler Utd.-- Hunt,Wilde,Gee,Heap,Walker,Butterworth(Crow),Williams,Thompson(Gibbs),C.Campbell,Wragg,S.Campbell
.......................................................................................................................................................................................................
Sunday 28 March 2004
PHEASANT (1) 2 BUTLER UNITED (1) 3
After losing to the Pheasant a fortnight ago United desperately needed to win this game and player manager Gibbs made a few changes, dropping himself and bringing in PC Wilde in goal, Chris Campbell up front and with the return of captain Deacon and his arm band, Casanova Heap was drafted into midfield general role. The Crows made the perfect start when little Gaz Ulyett scored his 3rd "direct " from a corner specialty goal in only the second minute. This gave the visitors the confidence and although on top for remainder of the half struggled to create any serious threat on the opposition goal especially as playing any kind of football was proving difficult on a hard bumpy surface. The pheasant equalized on the half hour when slack marking allowed their centre forward to head in at the back post although PC Wragg did pick up his man on the halfway line, a stray black Labrador.
The Crows began the second half with the bit between their proverbial teeth. Steve Campbell's right footed drive from just inside the box brought a fine save and Pheasant's forwards were getting no change from DHLawrence Healing at the back. The "lanky streak of piss" left back Butterworth fresh from Speedo contract talks in the capital was urged by Butler's backroom boys (and girls) to push forward more and his spectacular 30 yard effort just scraped the top of the bar. When the influential ( now reached veteran stage) Gibbs and "Tinternet" Thomas appeared with 20 minutes to go United soon regained the lead Butterworth found himself with space in the box and converted Ulyett's cross with aplomb to claim his first goal of the season. The Crows were now on a roll and Chapman was guilty of wasting an opening blasting wide a well worked Butler move on the left flank. Heap then masterfully slid in the third with fifteen minutes to go finishing off another good move from the Crows. But the pheasant did not give up easily and with tempers fraying , elbows flying and the aging referee stuck in the halfway line everything was happening. Vipond forcing home a Pheasant corner meant a frantic finale but United held on for the precious three points.
This result means Butler United can now win the league IF they win their three remaining league games but this is a big IF as they have struggled against their three opponents in the games earlier in the season. A testimonial is also being lined up for the veteran Club secretary Thompson who "officially" hangs up his boots at the end of the season ...Alex Ferguson rumoured to be sending an 11 to the Sheldon.T
Sunday October 03 2004 EMPAL Cup Round 1
FREEMAN & MITCHELL ( 0 ) 0BUTLER UNITED
( 2 ) 6 Gibbs Varney 3S CampbellChapman Att; 10
Butler United steamrolled their way into the next round of the EMPAL Cup with a magnificent team display, emphatically crushing their Division 1 opponents into submission.
The game was more or less won 5 minutes before kick off with the appearance on the sidelines of club foot tie-dye man Stephenson in his BUFC cheerleaders winter warmer outfit, striking fear into the hearts of the Mitchell starting eleven. He later denied any knowledge of Mafia connections.
Match highlights;
01 min-Butterworth lets his opponent know he is there.22mins Heap crashes the bar from 35 yard free-kick.35 mins. A long throw by skimpy underwear model Butterworth was flicked on by the inebriated Chapman for Gibbs to expertly slot into the net with his infamous left peg.0-138 Heap heads onto bar again from Little Gaz corner.44 -The outstanding Walker rides 2 powder puff Freeman tackles to put Felstead through in oceans of space on the right flank and his cross was met by son of a copper Varney to nip inside the front post 0-2.Half time -Deacon lets rip with inspirational captains team talk.48- Ulyett thumps ball up field from half way line and diminutive striker Scarface Campbell miraculously heads on to bar from 20 yards out.51-Varney grabs his second after excellent team build up 0-362 -Varney completes hat trick.0-469-Campbell calmly finishes another breathtaking breakaway Crow move.71 -Walker does impression of Bobby Moore with sublime control and passing to prompt another attack only to finish excellent Butler move by heading agonizingly wide.88- A delicate flick from the bonce of Chapman puts icing on the cake of the best team display from United since winning the legendary final of Melton & District Cup in 2002.
..........................................................................................................................................................................................................
Cropwell Cup
BUTLER UNITED 5 WHEATSHEAF 1
Tuesday April 30 2003 The Sheldon Field. Cropwell
Butler Butler United brought the curtains down on a successful season with a resounding victory over their neighbours to win the Cropwell Cup for the third year running. Having won promotion to the EMPAL division 3, United could even be playing last night's opponents in the league next season as the Wheatsheaf are in danger of relegation from division 2.
An overcast Sheldon field sky welcomed the highest crowd of the season of 57 as the locals turned up in force in anticipation for a football feast. But the weather turned nasty straight from the kick-off with fierce driving hail and so did the football, late dirty tackles, blood and thunder stuff with Mr Williams in the thick of it. Referee Mr Thorpe Jnr struggled to stamp his authority on the game ,struggling to be heard above the raucous conditions and white hot atmosphere.
The Wheatsheaf were first to the ball and looked dangerous on the break with pace up front but alas powder puff finishing. PC Wragg, playing in front of his new girlfriend, ending rumours of his sexuality, came close in the 10th minute but his garish effort ended up in the dyke on the sidelines. As the storm calmed, Wheatsheaf took a deserved lead in the 16th minute.Thorpe Snr heading home thanks to a combination of slack marking and sloppy defending.0-1. This proved to be a wake-up call for Butler as they quickly forced their way on top. Player manager Gibbs snaked his way down the right flank to cross for Butterworth to calmly slot home the equalizer.1-1.Five minutes later United went ahead thanks to slick bonce of Chris Campbell latching on to the end of Casanova Heap's shot come cross.2-1. The agile Hunt made a fine save on the half-hour turning a strong drive away for a corner.
Alas the sun began to peek through the grey sky and the Crow's consolidated their lead just before half-time thanks to the raw-boned Butterworth as he slotted home his second and celebrated in front of the dismayed Bishop followers! 3-1.The match was temporarily halted after 40 minutes, arguments and banter amongst crowd and players, as the ref blew for half time even though he had no watch and was guessing the time!
H-T 3-1
A change of officials, with PC Shinn taking up the helm and the Crow's soon began the second half where they left off, on top. Pete"sir" Deacon replacing Varney at the interval ,with Heap bolstering the midfield. PC Wragg put the match beyond Wheatsheaf's reach as early as the 50th minute, beating the offside trap and confidently beating the keeper.4-1. United were now on a proverbial roll, with Wheatsheaf's heads down, the Crows began playing some neat and tidy football, entertaining the Cropwell masses. Steve Campbell and Fountain replaced Gibbs and Chris Campbell and this switch soon paid dividends for Butler as Wragg and Campbell, United's leading goalscorers combined to race through the heart of Wheatsheaf's defence ending with Campbell deftly chipping the stranded keeper from 25 yards out to seal victory.
F-T 5-1
A comprehensive win for Butler Utd and their name on the Cropwell Cup brings to an end a roller coaster season. Finishing runners-up and reaching the quarter finals of the Empal Cup in their inaugural Empal campaign. Roll on September/deodorants..... Butler Utd; Hunt, Wilde, Felstead, Chapman, Heap, Williams, Varney(Deacon), Gibbs(Fountain), Butterworth, PC Wragg, C.Campbell(S.Campbell).Not used, Amey
Thursday 28 APRIL 2005
Friendly
BUTLER UNITED 8Thompson 15, 28, 29, 71Stephenson 80, 89Deacon 40Van Pissedboy 57 og vs PSV HANGOVER 1Van Der Heineken 71 Att; 16
Butler United brought the curtains down on the 2004/05 season with a friendly against Dutch giants PSV Hangover. An experimental Crow line-up resulted in a resounding victory chiefly due to the veteran dynamic duo up front, CF Stephenson and Mick Thompson. Despite both strikers being the wrong side of forty, there was no stopping their swift interchanges as PSV struggled with Thommo's pace and movement and Stephenson's blistering rockets.And the linesman was shit.
PLAYER'S PLAYER OF THE YEAR -- RICH VARNEY
LEADING GOAL SCORER -- RICH VARNEY PLAYER OF THE YEAR --
ERROL GIBBS MANAGERS PLAYER OF THE YEAR -- STEVE CAMPBELL