BUTLAND’S THE NO.1 WH0 GOT AWAY..
JACK BUTLAND gave Bristol City a painful reminder of the talent that eluded their scouting network.
Brought up at Clevedon, just down the road from Ashton Gate, the England goalkeeper honed his skills in schoolboy football without being spotted by his local club.
That oversight came back to haunt City, as Butland (above) turned in a match-winning display for Gary Rowett’s Stoke in front of a large contingent of family and friends in the stands.
He said: “We had a few decent players at Clevedon United, where I played as a kid. I was involved in Sunday League football from the age of seven, although I was a striker until I was 12.
“No opportunity came along at either Bristol club and, at 14, I played for a development centre in a match at Birmingham City’s training ground.
“That led to a trial and I ended up signing at St Andrew’s, having been completely bypassed in my own region.”
World-class saves to deny Jamie Paterson and Niclas Eliasson had Stoke fans lauding him as England’s No.1 – and ensured Darren Fletcher’s goal would be a winner.
The home side’s failure to defend a left-wing cross allowed Fletcher time to control the ball on his chest before lashing a volley past Max O’Leary.
Robins boss Lee Johnson said: “Jack Butland has made some unbelievable saves, but our finishing lacked conviction.
“The Championship can be cruel at times.
”We took too long to get going, but in the end battered a very good side.”
BRISTOL CITY:
Pereyra Deulofeu Success
Referee ............................ Mike Dean Attendance ........................... 20,457
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