Butler not quitting on Turners Oval just yet
Loading article...
Phoenix Academy Group CEO Craig Butler says Cavalier’s acquisition of Turners Oval in Clarendon, the home of Chapelton Maroons, is now a legal matter.
However, the outspoken coach and administrator described Cavalier boss Rudolph Speid as a “serpent”, for going behind his back to purchase the property, which currently hosts his club.
Speaking on Sports Explosion with Oral Tracey, Butler said, while he could not go into much detail on the subject as it was now a legal matter:, "My attorneys are going to speak. So I don't want to speak too much on the legal side of it. Just suffice to say, Speid has continued to be consistent with the serpent that he is," he stated.
"The reality of it is, he went behind my back. Turners Oval has been there for years, and nobody was interested in it.
"All of a sudden, Phoenix is doing well down there, and all of a sudden, he came and saw things and wanted it. That is how he has operated," Butler argued.
In August of last year, the Phoenix Academy Group acquired Chapelton Maroons. However, prior to the takeover by the Phoenix Group, the club spent two seasons in the top -flight. They were demoted once in between those two seasons and did not have a permanent home field until the oval was brought up to standard by Butler and club chairman and daughter Kaycie Butler.
It is understood that Butler was in the process of acquiring the property, but took too long to complete the transaction, allowing Cavalier to swoop in and secure the facility themselves.
Butler, in another post, this time on Facebook, said two factors led to the delay in purchasing the property.
The Phoenix boss said he did major surgery in December of last year, requiring him to slow down and take care of his health. At the time, he said he asked for an extension from the owner of Turners Oval. Later, he said, he had to fork out $7 million to Cavalier for Denzil Mitchell, who was unhappy with life at the Jamaica Premier League champions.
While Butler says the club has a decision to make — whether or not to find a new home — his lawyers will be attempting to block the sale.
Cavalier's acquisition of Turners Oval has caused a stir in local football circles due to the long history of confrontation between Butler and Speid on a number of issues, and will no doubt widen the rift between them.
In recent times, the Phoenix boss has accused the Cavalier head honcho of raiding his players and overlooking young prodigy, Dujuan Richards, for the Intercontinental World Cup playoffs in March.
However, in a post on his Instagram account, Butler was more diplomatic, indicating that he was willing to co-exist.
"Could share a home field in the JPL. Rudolph Speid and Craig Butler. Cavalier FC in the process of buying Turners Oval," the post read.
Then in quotes, he stated: "Only hope it's a friendly rivalry like AC Milan and Inter Milan."
The Gleaner's efforts to get a direct response from Butler were unsuccessful. "Have you seen my Instagram post? Take a look at it," was all he would offer.