INTERVIEW: Can't wait to get on with it

New signing Dan Butterworth will spend his first full week with the club on a team training camp in Scotland, having initially met the group on Friday morning, and then again at Workington on Saturday.

The 23-year-old made Brunton Park his next move having become a free agent on his departure from Blackburn, with valuable loan spells at Fleetwood and Port Vale under his belt.

Speaking at a damp Borough Park, he told us: “I’m buzzing now it’s finally over the line and everything’s sealed and sorted.

“I’m just happy to get it done so that I can start training with the lads and get some minutes so that I’m ready for the season.

“I just want to get fit and ready to go as soon as possible. The length of the contract doesn’t matter, it’s about getting my head down and carrying on.”

On finally getting the ink on the paper, he said: “It’s been in the pipeline for quite a while, but obviously it took a bit longer than I expected.

“The main thing is that it’s sorted now, it’s signed, and that’s all that matters. Talking to the manager I knew I wanted to come.

“I just think that the gaffer has worked with young players before and I like his style of play. He likes attacking players and young players, so I thought it was a no-brainer.

“Obviously it means I’m staying in League One, so I’m really excited to get going again.”

That recent experience with the Valiants is something that is bound to stand him in good stead.

“There are some tough teams in the league, it’s a tough division, but as long as we work hard and know the game plan, and the style of play and things like that, we’ll be fine,” he commented.

“Those loan spells were massive for me. The main thing is playing games and getting experience in the men’s game, so to get out and play in League One was a big step for me and my career.

“I enjoyed my time at Vale. I thought they were really good with me, gave me a lot of minutes. League One’s a tough league, big teams, not so big teams, but every game’s a tough game. 

“That’s done and I’m here now. I think in football you’re always proving a point because there will always be someone who says you aren’t good enough, or whatever. You’re always looking to do your best so that you can prove people wrong.

“The things is, you can’t keep having loan spells all your career, you have to nail down a permanent position, and hopefully this is the one where that happens for me.

“Obviously I also enjoyed my time at Blackburn, probably last year with them wasn’t the best, for different reasons, but over the six or seven years I was with them I loved every minute of it.”

When asked to describe the type of player we can expect to see, he said: “It’s the same as what the gaffer said.

“I’m just very attack-minded. I always want to go forward and create things. I’ll assist and score goals when I can, so that’s what I’ll be looking to do here.

“The gaffer has already said that he wants to help my goalscoring record, and I can agree with that. I probably don’t score enough goals. I definitely need to add that to my game, so that’s something I’ll be working on.

“I’ll play anywhere as long as I’m on the pitch, any attacking position. All you have to do is just make it work, wherever you play.” 

His arrival has coincided with the team trip to St Andrews – a perfect way to settle into his new club.

“It’ll be my first full week of proper training since the season ended and hopefully I’ll be getting minutes as well,” he told us.

“Fitness wise I feel pretty good. I’ve kept ticking over since the season finisher. That’s the main thing, now it’s the football side, football fitness. I just want to get as many games and as much game time as I can. 

“I watched the Workington game and I’m not sure about the weather, but they’re definitely a good side. I can’t wait to get in there and help the team in any way I can.

“I already know Joe Garner from our time at Fleetwood together. He was always good when I was there, and we always kept in touch. It’s good to be back with him.”

Read Time: 4 mins