A few answers about PCFC with Joe Butcher

Members of the Armada w our boys. All we can say after talking with them about the situation. S***. Just. Got. Real. pic.twitter.com/PcjTeWRsPB — Gulf Coast Armada (@GulfCoastArmada) June 1, 2014

It’s been a couple of days, and the excitement over Pensacola City FC has barely quieted down. In the mean time, Talking MLS had a chance to record a lengthy exchange with former PCFC defender/winger Joe Butcher about the days leading up to the announcement, and what he’s doing since then.

While the sudden announcement by owner Bill Fetke caught everyone by surprise, Butcher said the biggest effect was on the players who attend the University of Western Florida. A few players live at home with their parents, and they are unaffected, and Fetke has offered to cover the medical expenses of a few injured players through what would’ve been the end of the season.

Butcher recount the moment he and his teammates heard the news. In his own words:

“We got a text the day of the meeting, explaining that we had no training and instead there was a team meeting at 1. We were expected to be there and to bring all our equipment with us. Once there, we got a lecture from Bill (Fetke) about how employees should perform, etc., and then about business principles, and he explained he was going to be withdrawing his funding from the team. When we all asked what we were going to do about housing and getting home, he said that it was no longer his concern because we were terminated employees.”

Many of the players raised their voices via social media, and that is where most fans, supporters and media (including Talking MLS) heard the news. Butcher said he attempted to call Fetke after, but none of his calls were returned. The owner also removed his former players from his Facebook friends list, “so he’s completely cut any ties with anything Pensacola City FC-related,” the defender said.

These reports confirm Talking MLS’s early reports that PCFC took down its Twitter and Facebook pages, effectively removing its Web footprint as much as possible.

The npslsoccer released the following statement, courtesy of media relations manager Gary Moody:

“The NPSL is extremely disappointed to hear that Pensacola City FC has decided to cease operations with immediate effect. The league remains committed to the Pensacola soccer community and looks forward to working with fans and supporters in the future.’

Butcher also said that most of the players are leaving the area to go home, although that is proving especially troublesome for a handful of international players on the team. The local supporter’s group Gulf Coast Armada has set up a fundraiser to help raise the funds for some of those players unable to move immediately, so they can get on their feet.

But the UWF players were put up in apartments that "Bill agreed to pay the rent for the apartments along with the utilities and food. Bill made the announcement on the 28th, with only May being paid for in these apartments, leaving us three days to scrounge up $1,500 to pay for rent and utilities,” according to Butcher.

Butcher defender Fetke to the extent that he said no player is being forcibly removed or evicted from their apartment. “Bill is indirectly evicting players because they don’t have the funds to pay for the apartments and houses that he placed them in,” he said.

That brings us to a bit of good news: Butcher landed on his feet for playing time rather quickly, moving to New Jersey to play with Trenton FC’s U-23 side. From the exchange, he seemed mildly disappointed in the drop in competition, but grateful for the chance to play competitive games on short notice.

“They’re not in the PDL or NPSL, but they play in the U-23 National Cup,” Butcher said of Trenton FC. “I had some PDL and NPSL offers, but I’ve also got the opportunity to work in New Jersey and earn some money, and that is exactly what I need to do.”

Fetke admitted to Talking MLS that shutting down the team was an emotional time for him. The NPSL is not happy, either, and the players seem even less happy. But mostly, there has been disbelief.

“Everyone was in shock,” Butcher said. “A few people walked out before (Fetke) could finish, in anger, and some players shook his hand afterwards.

"Everyone is not happy and as you can see, there is a big deal being kicked up about it over social media.”