Dad rewarded as son signs for Rovers

ROVERS SIGNING: Owen Butler (centre), who has just signed for Doncaster Rovers' Youth Academy U13s, is pictured with dad Darren (left) and Keith Tiplady, boss of sponsors Abbey Pest Control.

Published on 09/10/2012 05:42

Going to the extreme of changing jobs in order to help advance his son’s footballing career has paid off for superdad Darren Butler.

For Riccall Juniors player Owen Butler has now signed for Doncaster Rovers Youth Academy U13s following a six-week trial this summer and is pictured here with his dad (left) and sponsor Keith Tiplady of Abbey Pest Control.

Owen is an attacking midfielder/striker who has been noted for his great vision and creativity and is rated as one of the best finishers of his age in the York and Selby district.

He’s been a regular scorer for Riccall U13s, who compete on Sundays in the York Minor League.

But he hasn’t always shown such promise. Darren explained that, as a six-year-old, he wasn’t as advanced as his friends. “He wasn’t picked to play by his coaches, which really annoyed me. How was he to learn and progress if not given play time?

“So I changed my job to allow me to have my weekends free, become a junior coach and help the kids who struggled to keep up with the more advanced players.

“I’ve now been his coach for the past seven years. So I’m very happy for him to be given the opportunity to be part of Rovers’ youth academy, which still allows him to play for his club.

“It’s a big commitment for both player and parent, as I’ve been finding out recently with two nights’ training a week and games every other Saturday all over the place as well as his Riccall commitments. But as long as he’s happy, so am I.

“Owen’s position for Rovers has been right-wing or striker, but he’s also showing signs of being a talented central-midfielder, giving his coaches plenty of options.

“He’d love to be the next Steven Gerrard.”

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Dad rewarded as son signs for Rovers

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