Former Jamaica College Manning Cup player Craig Butler, now technical director of Mona High, has vowed to teach his alma mater a lesson in honour when they clash in a crucial Zone A, ISSA Digicel Manning Cup quarter-final match at Calabar High School on Tuesday.

The outspoken Butler who led Mona High to their historic first Manning Cup title in 2023, told Our Today that he was disappointed with Jamaica College (JC) and St Catherine High’s tame 1-1 draw which left a sour taste in the mouths of football lovers who thought both schools never tried to win on Saturday.

Both JC and St Catherine advanced to the quarterfinal at the expense of Calabar High and Butler was left peeved.

“I went to Jamaica College in 1980 in first form. I was taught the history of the school and learned about honour, loyalty and the importance of love for my school,” said Butler.

“Sadly, my final game in the Manning Cup I won 4-1 vs Excelsior with a hefty goal average in the semifinals only to see two schools collude to ensure one went to the finals over us. I took that personally over the years and to see JC fall so badly that they would do the same leaves me with sadness in my heart,” Butler reiterated. 

The two schools to which Butler referred are Kingston College and Wolmer’s Boys in 1985 as KC defeated Wolmer’s 5-0 and advanced ahead of JC.

“When you are a coach, you have to be careful of the values you teach your players. You have to be cognizant of the need to develop men with loyalty, love, honour and commitment to a cause for tomorrow’s society and for tomorrow’s schools,” Butler noted.

According to Butler, a few years ago, when Mona played JC, a defender picked up a head injury and was “knocked out” and the referee never stopped the game resulting in JC scoring. “It was a sad day in football. The very next year we came back and fought to win. This game there will be no quarters drawn,” said Butler.

“This game is for Denzel McKenzie for Demarion Harris for all those who didn’t bend under the pressure to leave their club and who stand now as the heroes of Mona. We will stand together with our integrity and honour intact and we will win with God’s help, our way on that battlefield together as one,” said Butler.

“We know the power of our school and what it means to them, our teachers, students principals, parents and fans and we will not let you down. We will avenge that semifinal loss for Donhue Mitchell and Damoi Whitfield and all those players robbed two years ago of their Manning Cup victory,” said Butler.