Ben's Banter: Lincoln City's Richard Butcher

English Football League / Ben Herd / 06 October 2009 / 1 Comments

Despite a defeat at Lincoln, Aldershot are sitting in a very respectable eighth place in the table.

"Simple really, I love the club. Rotherham and Shrewsbury expressed an interest in me in the summer, but as soon as I knew Lincoln were in for me, there was only one place I was going to go. It's a club where I have been happiest and played my best football."

Ben is right back in the swing of things after his injury lay-off but he couldn't prevent Aldershot from going 1-0 down at Lincoln. After the match he caught up with Lincoln favourite Richard Butcher.

It was Lincoln City away for us this week. After appointing Chris Sutton as manager earlier in the week, the "Imps" were looking for a reaction to end a run of four straight defeats. And end it they did, with a 1-0 win. In my biased opinion, I believe we played some really nice football, particularly in the first half, but were unable to capitalise when the chances presented themselves to us. This week I interviewed Richard Butcher, who is in his third spell with the club, for betting.betfair.com.

So Butch, What did you make of Chris Sutton's first game in charge?

Well, we had been on a terrible run which resulted in our previous manager getting sacked, so this was always going to be quite a tight game. We had lost the previous 4 games, so it was not primarily about the performance, just the result, which we got. We managed to stop the rot, so to speak, and give our new manager a winning start. I thought Aldershot knocked the ball around nicely and perhaps should have done better with some of the chances they created.

What initial impact has Chris Sutton had since coming into the club? How do you think he will fair in this tough league?

Again, with the bad run we have been on, he knew confidence was low, so he has really given the lads a lift. Training wise, he has really concentrated on organising us as a team, we have worked a lot on pattern of play and shape work. As for him handling this league, well I am sure he has done his homework on the rigors of League 2, otherwise he wouldn't have applied for the job. Going to places like Accrington Stanley is what this league is all about.

They say you should never go back. So what made you go back to Lincoln again?

Simple really, I love the club. Rotherham and Shrewsbury expressed an interest in me in the summer, but as soon as I knew Lincoln were in for me, there was only one place I was going to go. It's a club where I have been happiest and played my best football. Also, living in Lincoln it made perfect sense, now I just want to get success with Lincoln on the pitch again.

Have you any plans for life after Football?

In a word, "No." I do have good intentions of starting a course but probably need a little bit more guidance. I would like to stay involved in the game in some capacity, hopefully in a few years one of my mates will get a Manager's job and make me his assistant....or kit man!

Are there any young players in the "Imps" squad that we should keep an eye on?

We have a very good young centre forward, Hutchings, he is only 17 and is Lincoln's youngest ever goal scorer. He reminds me of Jamie Forrester, who used to play for Lincoln; small, quick, bright and a decent finisher. Like with a lot of young players, he just needs to hit the gym to beef up a little, then he will be even better.

Football

Favourite Premier League Player? Steven Gerrard
Favourite player outside the Premier League? Cristiano Ronaldo
Manager you'd most like to work under? David Moyes
Club you'd most like to play for? Everton

Best mate at the club? None really, all good lads!
Messiest eater? Steffen Oakes, fussiest as well!
Biggest ladies man? Oakesy again
Who's best at putting away the pints? The young Pros

Non-football

Dream date? Sarah Harding
Favourite TV programme? Friday Night with Jonathan Ross
Favourite shop? Selfridges
Worst vice? Eating Chocolate everyday
Biggest pet hate? Can't stand bad manners

50/50

Meat or fish? Meat
Wine or beer? Beer
Blondes or brunettes? Brunettes
"Friends" or "The Office"? Friends
PS3 or newspaper? PS3
Frank Sinatra or Fifty Cent? Fifty

Comments (1)

1. Blum | 07 October 2009

   Another great blog Herdy...

   You were great for the Shrews and are missed by many.. Keep up the good work mate.

   All the best

   Blum