GLF 54: Del compares TB's performances with those of previous managers.
Terry Butcher - Where Does He Rank?
Whilst desperately short of a GLF article,I have found in the past it is always useful to go to the pub for inspiration.Not just for several pints of golden amber, but the debates that take place amongst groups of‘Well fans are often worthy of a wider audience.With that in mind, I present the case for Terry Butcher, Motherwell legend.
It is obviously hard to compare Butcher to managers before my time ( I’m a just a young ‘un) but he clearly is not in the same league as John Hunter.George Stevenson produced silverware and despite getting us relegated, he deserves a suitably high place on the list.Bobby Ancell produced a glorious side but no cups, whilst in the ten years of Tommy McLean, the football wasn’t always quite so sensational,but we secured a third place,a cup win and most importantly of all,stability after a turbulent time.
It would have been easy for Terry Butcher to jump ship when we went into administration.He was only a coach,so had less responsibility to the players than Eric Black did,yet the manager felt he could not justify staying on whilst others lost their jobs.Butcher had been a manager before with Coventry and Sunderland,and by most accounts he was not particularly successful.Surely for the sake of an easy life, another job in football would come calling ?
But instead,for whatever reason,he chose to take the responsibility of leading our club from its darkest hour.It was not all plain sailing but even in the season we should have been relegated,there was hope.The youngsters who were in our side all wanted to be playing for the club and if anything,their enthusiasm hampered us with the appalling disciplinary record we had as a result.We scored six twice and beat both of the Old Firm in the league.Add to this,we were the width of the post away from going 3 - 1 up in a cup semi - final and with the added bonus of escaping relegation on a technicality,the season could have turned out a lot worse.
Last year,we were favourites to struggle again,yet we astonished all our critics - and to be honest, some supporters as well ! - with a wonderful top six finish.If you look back at our history,given how rarely we finish in the top half,this was a good achievement.When you consider that we did this with a squad who had finished bottom last season,with the exception of our best player who had been sold,it becomes even more remarkable.
This year we are on course not to get relegated-the usual‘Well benchmark of a good season - and have a cup semi - final to look forward to.If Terry can produce another top half finish and / or a cup win ( even the League Cup!) then he must have a legitimate claim to being one of our best managers ever.Even in the dark days of the 1980's,Tommy McLean had more resources to use than Butcher.However, Terry has brought in players like Kerr ( quality even if injured ), McDonald, Craigan, McBride and Foran at little cost to the club,whilst persuading Corrigan and Hammell to sign extensions when they could easily have been tempted to move on to better things.
It could still easily go wrong for Terry - there have been decisions that have baffled me,and others,but all things considered,he does have the Midas touch going for him at the minute.Long may it continue !And not at Wolves, either…...
Derek Wilson
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