FOR someone who made his senior debut at the tender age of 16, the prospect of being Boston United's first-choice goalkeeper this season was hardly likely to faze Aaron Butcher.

However, the three years since Butcher's debut in a 3-0 defeat at Redditch have not panned out as he would have hoped.

A UniBond League Premier Division relegation battle in 2008/2009 was followed by a season of bench warming as the Pilgrims stormed to promotion under Rob Scott and Paul Hurst.

But after United's ruthless joint bosses said 'thanks, but goodbye' to Tom Evans in May, Butcher finally has the chance again to make the number one jersey his own.

Signing a new stopper remains Scott and Hurst's top priority ahead of Boston's Blue Square Bet North opener against Stafford Rangers on August 14.

But the managers have told Butcher it will be to pep up competition for the position which is music to the 19-year-old's ears.

"Last season was a big learning curve for me," recalled Butcher. "I didn't set my standards high enough, and when Tom came in, he did very well.

"I don't hold any grudges, but this is my chance now and I'm going to take it.

"I was a little surprised Tom was released, but hopefully it will benefit me in the long run.

"I got to take my chance this year and try to progress.

"There is pressure on me, but pressure is always a good thing to have.

"You got to think to yourself 'do you want to be sat on the bench for another year?' or 'do you want to be playing week in week out?' I want to be playing every week."

"I could have gone out on loan last season, but I wanted to stay and fight for my place.

"When I came in last season, the managers came out and said I did well. That's all I can do – when I play I've got to take my chance.

"Last season I must have done enough things right to warrant a contract."

Despite his youth, Butcher is one of United's longest serving players and boasts Blue Square Bet North experience having made his debut in the division.

"I think it was two weeks after my 16th birthday," he recalls. "I was a young, raw lad at the time. I got a call the night before from Welshy (head of youth Steve Welsh) saying Simon Rayner had been recalled to Torquay.

"It was the second or third game of the season and we lost 3-0 that day.

"There was a dubious free-kick decision that I would still dispute to this day. I was setting up my wall and their player took it quickly and it went in."

Butcher was thrown in at the deep end again later that season making his home debut in a 2-1 defeat to Southport.

"Lee Crockett, who was the keeper at the time, pulled his calf in the warm up," added the former Peterborough youngster.

"I wasn't even meant to be on the bench, but with Lee struggling the manager Tommy Taylor made the decision to put me on at half-time.

"It was a nervous time, but in a way I didn't have time to get too nervous.

"I feel more ready for it now. Last season was very frustrating, but the year before, when we nearly got relegated I played a lot of games when Steve Welsh was manager.

"I kept 14 or 15 clean sheets, which I was quite proud of, even though we were near the bottom of the league.

"But that is in the past now, we've got new managers, new players and there is a real buzz around the club."

Boston United play Grantham in the Lincolnshire Senior Shield at York Street, tomorrow, 7.45pm.