Butterfield: Boxing Day action

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Butterfield irked by boos

Jacob Butterfield admits his Barnsley future is uncertain, but says he will continue to give his all to the cause as long as he remains at the club.

The Tykes skipper was booed by a section of the fans as he received his man-of-the-match award for his display in the Boxing Day defeat to Blackpool.

Butterfield suspects the boos emanated from fans unhappy about the fact that he is stalling on a new contract.

“Football fans support their team and, unfortunately, some of them can’t see past that,” Butterfield said in The Sheffield Star.

“But in the football world it doesn’t work like that. I don’t know what I’m going to do yet, so I don’t deserve the stick that I’ve been given.

“I just love playing football and I’ll always try my best when I pull on the Barnsley shirt.

“I owe it to the club, the players and the fans. I’ll never let the Barnsley fans down for as long as I’m here, I’ll always try my best.”

If Butterfield leaves in January Barnsley would be able to ask for a fee. However, if he waits for his deal to expire at the end of the season then Barnsley would receive compensation to be determined by an independent tribunal as he is still under 24.

The England Under-21 international has been linked with a move to the Premier League, with the likes of Everton, Stoke and Wolves among those credited with an interest.

“There’s been so much speculation it’s crazy really,” added Butterfield.

“It can be a distraction but it’s just important I focus on my football and then make a decision in January.

“My future is uncertain but this is the biggest decision of my career so I’m not going to be rushed.

“I’m still in talks with the club about a new deal, so we’ll have to see what happens.”