Carlisle United's ex-Blackburn Rovers man Butterworth: Why I signed

The former Blackburn Rovers attacker signed a two-year deal last week.

And 23-year-old Butterworth says the Blues boss was a major factor in his decision to head to Brunton Park.

Asked what appealed about United, he said: “I just think the way the gaffer’s worked with young players, and is attack minded, and things like that.

“I thought it was a good club to come to.

“He [Simpson] spoke about how he can develop my game and I think that’s massive in terms of goals and being creative for the team.

“I’m looking forward to working with him.”

Butterworth was with the Blues at Workington Reds but was not part of the matchday squad.

Butterworth did some training on the pitch before Saturday's game (Image: Barbara Abbott)

Instead, he did some training work on the pitch before the game, and will this week join his new team-mates in earnest on their training camp at the University of St Andrews.

That is likely to see the ex-Port Vale loanee figure in a behind-closed-doors game, while he should also be available for United’s friendly against Newcastle United’s Under-21s at Gateshead next Saturday.

Butterworth, after leaving Ewood Park in May, said he had other options to weigh up but said: “I thought this was probably the best place to come for my development and my career at this time.

• WATCH: Butterworth's goals in League One and FA Cup

“I knew [Carlisle] were interested – it took a bit longer than I expected, but the main thing is that it’s signed and I’m here.”

Butterworth had loans at Fleetwood Town and Port Vale during his time on Blackburn’s books but says it is the right time for him to make his mark on a permanent basis at a new club.

“I enjoyed my time at Blackburn,” he said. “Probably last year wasn’t the best while I was there for different reasons, but over the six or seven years I was with them I loved every minute of it.

Butterworth has joined United after leaving Blackburn (Image: PA)

“You can’t keep having loan spells all your career, you have to nail down a permanent position, and hopefully this is the one where that happens.”

Butterworth says he is happy to play anywhere on the pitch, with Simpson having declined to pigeon-hole the player into any particular attacking position.

“I’ll play anywhere, as long as I’m on the pitch – any attacking position,” he said. “You just make it work wherever you play.

“The same as the gaffer, I’m just very attack-minded. I always want to go forward and create things. I’ll assist and score goals when I can so that’s what I’ll be looking to do here.”

Butterworth says he agrees with Simpson that he can add more goals to his game, while he is looking forward to a further campaign in League One.

“I enjoyed my time at Port Vale, I thought they were really good with me, gave me a lot of minutes,” he said.

“League One’s a tough league, with big teams and not so big teams, but every game’s a tough game.”

Butterworth will get to know his team-mates this week, while one member of the Blues squad is already familiar.

“I know Joe Garner from our time at Fleetwood together. He was always good when I was there and we always kept in touch – it’s good to be back with him,” he said.

On his readiness for the challenge ahead, Butterworth added: “Fitness wise I feel pretty good, I’ve kept ticking over since the season finished.

“That’s the main thing – now it’s the football side, football fitness. I just want to get as many games and as much game time as I can.

“This wee will be my first full week of proper training since the season ended and hopefully I’ll be getting minutes.”