What the Butler saw - ex-Mackem on trial

By Albatross
March 23 2005

Hartlepool United may be about to make a double swoop just before the Transfer Deadline: Thomas Butler joined Steve Howey in taking part in the Reserves 3-1 win over Barnsley this afternoon in a bid to earn a contract at Victoria Park.

Butler left Sunderland in what were at the time mysterious circumstances - but the club broke their silence on the issue when Butler started proceedings towards an employment tribunal. Butler, according to Sunderland's statement, was released by mutual consent after a period of unhappiness that lead the player to tell them that he was struggling for motivation and wasn't enjoying life not just at the Stadium of Light, but as a footballer as a whole. A spell back in Ireland didn't help change his mind and his release was agreed according to the Mackems. Despite this, he has since had a spell at Dunfermline and has now come on trial with Pools - his last game for the Pars was on New Year's Day, and given International Transfer Windows and the like I'm assuming he's a free agent - otherwise Pools wouldn't be able to play him for the first team this season anyway.

Whether Butler will be taken on, even in the short term, is open to debate. There's little doubt that he has talent - he's even represented Eire a couple of times in full internationals - and given he can play on the wing he might even help fill a problem position for us. The question is where is his head at - Coops has spoken often of the team spirit at Pools, and he'd be unlikely to want to have Butler in the dressing room if he was likely to be a disruptive influence.

Steve Howey though looks like he might well be signing up for the rest of the season. Cooper has been quoted talking about the former England player in terms of him having fitted in quite well, and although he's still some way off full fitness it sounds like Cooper is prepared to give him a short term deal.