Craig Butler focused on setting examples not winning Manning Cup
Mona High school are now definitely being considered as one of the favourites to win the ISSA/Digicel Manning Cup competition after they crushed former champions Camperdown High 9-2 recently to maintain their position atop Group E of the ISSA/Digicel Manning Cup competition.
But even after such a dominant display that signaled the readiness of his team to seriously challenge for the title, head coach Craig Butler says that his focus is beyond winning high school football trophies. His desire is to have his programme be an example to other schoolboy football coaches which could redound to the benefit of the country.
“I don’t do this to win Manning Cup, I do this to win in the game of life for Jamaica. If we can continue to set the example of a proper system of proper development and proper unity, then I hope that everybody else will follow suit and we will be in a position where we can go to a World Cup and challenge for it,” he argued.
When Mona High and Wolmer’s Boys meet it will probably be in a Zone E top-of-the-table clash as both teams currently boast three wins from three games and Butler is looking forward to matching wits with his friend Jerome Waite, the head coach of Wolmer’s.
“We are always happy to play against Jerome, it’s always fun playing against Jerome.
“Jerome is a Phoenix man. He’s part of our coaching team from way back when, from when Leon and Kyle and all of them used to train together at Arnett,” he said.
A few of the boys playing for Wolmer’s are also a part of Butler’s Phoenix Academy and he is looking forward to seeing them play as well.
“We love him very much and we love Jahmani Bell and RJ their goalkeeper, they are both Phoenix players,” he disclosed.
He has promised nothing but respect for his rivals on the day.
“From Mona’s perspective we want to always be doing our best but at the same time honouring our opponents and that’s what we will always do with Wolmer’s.”
Mona High will play Papine High on Friday as they look to maintain the lead atop the zone.