"Driven, well-grounded and tehnically very good" - former Walsall manager gives insight into Chesterfield's new signing Milan Butterfield

The Bermudan international, 22, has joined the Spireites from National League North side Kidderminster Harriers for a small compensation fee.

Jon Whitney signed Butterfield, then 18, in June 2016 when he was manager of Walsall after he was recommended to the club by former Saddlers striker Kyle Lightbourne, who is now the Bermudan international manager.

Speaking to the Derbyshire Times, Whitney said the central midfielder, who is 6ft 4in, was “quite raw” at the time and still had to develop physically but technically he was “very good” for someone of his size.

"I think Milan is a really good signing for Chesterfield,” Whitney said. “I think he has got a lot more potential and if coached in the right way I am sure he can play a significant number of games.

“You will be surprised with him on the ball. He can play a bit which is why I’m sure Chesterfield have brought him in. He is a good, well-grounded kid. Definitely no ego. I think he will be a good fit.

“We saw a lot of potential and secondly, and just as important, we liked his character. His attitude and application was a credit to him and his family. He comes from a really good solid background as well and his moral compass was in the right place for us to sign him.”

Before joining Walsall Butterfield had a three-month trial at then Premier League Bournemouth in 2015 which he described as a “good learning experience” to prepare him for a career in the English game.

After being recommended to the Saddlers by Lighthouse, Butterfield underwent a successful three-week trial and was offered a contract by Dean Smith, who was manager at the time, but a medical revealed a shoulder injury, scuppering the move.

After surgery the determined youngster returned to England but had to prove himself all over again after Smith, now at Aston Villa, had left for Brentford.

Milan’s dad, Casey, a football coach himself, said: “Dean Smith loved Milan and I was actually more scared when he left the club than when they told Milan he needed surgery.”

But thankfully Whitney, previously Walsall’s physio, had stepped up to be manager and was happy to cast his eye over him again and offered him a one-year deal.

While at the Saddlers loan spells at Rushall and Leamington followed.

Whitney explained: “During his two spells at Leamington and Rushall he got stronger. I think he only played about five games for Leamington and then with Rushall he started to play more and he got used to the physical and tactical side which he needed a lot of development on. But he started to understand what his strengths were.”

Describing his playing style, Whitney, who now works with youngsters at Aston Villa and individual athletes, said: “He can play as a number four or a six and a eight. It depends if you play a two or a three in the midfield.

"We saw him as someone who could link play and maybe get a bit higher up the pitch.

"You can see he is not getting a lot of goals so he is obviously playing in a lot deeper role nowadays.

"He wasn’t great with his back to goal. He is somebody who needs to face play. Technically he is good enough to keep possession but also he can mix it up which is needed in the National League. I think he will cover a lot of ground on the pitch and bring a high energy to the team.”

Butterfield was released by Walsall in 2018 when Dean Keates was in charge before signing for Kidderminster, although initially he was in the academy before moving up to the first-team and signing an 18-month contract in February 2019.

It was while at Kidderminster that John Pemberton liked what he saw and has kept an eye on him ever since.

Off the field, Whitney believes Butterfield will have no problems settling in and will become a popular member of the changing room and be appreciated by supporters.

“I think the fans will really warm to him,” he said. “He is a really nice, likeable lad. One of the things the fans want is a bit of work effort and to wear the shirt with pride and Milan will do that. He will be so proud at signing and I am sure his dad will as well.”

He added: “I don’t see any issues with Milan fitting in. He is definitely not a shy one! He is comfortable in his own skin. He is definitely a team player and he won’t be fazed by coming in at Chesterfield.

"He doesn’t suffer fools so he will mix with the right group. He likes winners and he has a really good discipline, I don’t think his dad would allow him to go off the rails so I think Chesterfield have got a good, well balanced player on and off the pitch. He has got real drive and ambition and hopefully he can kick on.”