Butcher and Malpas secure new deals at Caley

TERRY Butcher has expressed his delight at the reaffirmation of his Highland love affair after it was announced he has agreed to sign a new contract as Inverness Caledonian Thistle manager.

The former Rangers and England captain has developed a deep affection for the club and the area since succeeding Craig Brewster in the job almost three years ago.

Despite a difficult start to the current season, which sees Inverness at the bottom of the SPL and having been eliminated from the League Cup by First Division side Ayr United, Butcher and his assistant Maurice Malpas have retained the faith of their club’s board. They have accepted contract extensions which will run until the summer of 2014.

Both men, who also worked together successfully in charge of Motherwell from 2002 to 2006, were due to be out of contract at the end of this season. In a statement yesterday, the club said they had “moved to avoid any uncertainty over their future”.

Butcher, who has also experienced difficult periods in his managerial career at Coventry City, Sunderland, Sydney FC and Brentford, had little hesitation in committing himself to Inverness. He said: “Maurice and I have become extremely attached to this club, and so many fine people in it, and we’re very pleased to sign the contract extensions.

“We enjoy living and working in the Highlands and we relish the spirit and support of what is very much a community club.

“A key factor in deciding to sign the extension has been the strong support I have had from the board, led by George Fraser and his successor [as chairman] Kenny Cameron.

“This season we’ve had the worst injury crisis I’ve ever seen at any club in my entire career, but everyone has stepped up to the mark and has shown tremendous strength and character.”

Despite effecting an immediate improvement in Inverness’ performances when he took the job in January 2009, Butcher couldn’t stave off relegation from the SPL, which was confirmed on the final day of the season with a 1-0 home defeat to Falkirk.

But, after a sluggish start to the First Division campaign in 2009-10, Inverness put together an impressive run of results to overhaul early leaders Dundee and win the title, becoming the first team since Hibs in 1999 to bounce straight back up to the SPL following relegation.

Last season saw Caley retain their top-flight status comfortably with a seventh-place finish, equalling the highest placing in the club’s history.

Butcher radically reshaped his squad in the summer, moving on several experienced players and placing his faith in a more youthful squad.

He said: “We’ve given lads like Nick Ross, Gavin Morrison, Shane Sutherland and Graeme Shinnie their chance in the first team and they have shown great potential,” added Butcher.

“Further down the line, in our youth development system, there is no shortage of local players whose promise excites us. Continuity is essential to build and retain a successful squad and the fans can be sure this will be our priority over the next two and a half years.”

The new deals for Butcher and Malpas come with Caley poised to announce fresh investment from a consortium of expatriate supporters. The group, known as Muirfield Mills, have reportedly held talks with the board over a £250,000 cash injection which will gain them voting rights.

Last month saw Kenny Cameron, a long-standing director, succeed George Fraser as chairman in what the club said was not expected to be a long-term arrangement as they awaited the conclusion of the investment negotiations. Cameron was instrumental in the contract talks with Butcher and Malpas.

“Terry and Maurice have done an excellent job and we’re delighted that they have put pen to paper,” said Cameron. “It is important to have continuity at a club like ours and this extension will allow the management duo to plan for the future while signalling to the playing staff that Terry and Maurice are committed to the club going forward.

“Our present league position did not come in to the directors’ thoughts. It is important to take a longer-term approach and we want Terry and Maurice to be a key part of this club’s ongoing journey. We recognise the quality input of the management team and we have faith in their ability to further drive forward the club in playing terms.

“We feel sure our supporters will be pleased that this issue has been put to bed. We look forward to Terry and Maurice continuing to give opportunity to young local players as part of their first team strategy.”