NEEDHAM Market defender Richard Butler sums up the dedication shown by all of the players at the club.Despite being in the important final year of his degree at Leicestershire's Loughborough University, the commanding centre back has shown incredible commitment to make the three-hour train journey back to Suffolk twice a week to play for the club.

NEEDHAM Market defender Richard Butler sums up the dedication shown by all of the players at the club.

Despite being in the important final year of his degree at Leicestershire's Loughborough University, the commanding centre back has shown incredible commitment to make the three-hour train journey back to Suffolk twice a week to play for the club.

The 21-year-old said: “It has been quite hard juggling the two commitments but I really enjoy playing for Needham so it has been worth it.”

Butler, like so many of the young Needham Market squad, came to the club to once again link up with manager Danny Laws after he had tutored them on the West Suffolk College football academy.

Having started his senior career at Stowmarket Town, Butler joined Bury Town where he, along with four other of his current team mates, was part of a squad that lost out in the semi-finals of the FA Vase.

He said: “I was just coming back from injury at the time of that match so didn't play any part so it is nice to be involved this time and hopefully show I can perform at this level.

“This is going to be another tough game for us but all the way through the side there is total confidence.

“Tiredness could be a factor but we have a big squad of players and a number who could potentially come on and change things.”