Butler launches legal action against SAFC

Former Sunderland player Thomas Butler has revealed that he's taking legal action against Sunderland over the way in which his stay at the club ended.

Butler's last competitive game for Sunderland was against Nottingham Forest in January. Although speculation was rife about his failure to feature for the club, it took until July for a statement to be issued when it was confirmed that the player had left Sunderland and that legal moves were in progress to finalise the terms of Butler's release from his contract.

He's since signed for Dunfermline Athletic but told the Daily Record newspaper today that he's taking SAFC to an industrial tribunal.

"I had problems at Sunderland and went home to see a specialist in Ireland which was agreed by the club doctor. But when I returned the club said I had left without their permission and breached my contract."

Butler has impressed Pars' gaffer Davie Hay since he signed for the Scottish team recently following an unsuccessful trial with Wolves, and says he's just glad to be getting on with his career.

"'You can sit around all day and worry about things which are beyond your control. I am just happy to be getting back to playing football again.

"At Sunderland, every time I got in the first team I did well but I was unlucky with some injuries and it was all up and down. I have been out for a long time and now I just want to show the manager here and the fans what I can do."

Butler will face another former Sunderland player, Stan Varga, when Dunfermline take on Celtic at Parkhead this weekend.