Paul Butler (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Paul John Butler He is a former footballer
where he played as a centre-back. Despite being born in Manchester
he played for Republic of Ireland
. He is currently chief scout at Oldham Athletic. He was most recently a player at League Two
side Chester City
, where he also had spells as captain and assistant-manager.
He has previously played in the Premier League for Sunderland
and Wolverhampton Wanderers
, and was also a former captain of Leeds United.
, Manchester
and began his professional career at Rochdale in 1991 and remained with the club for five seasons before joining Bury
. Here, he won promotion to the second flight in his first season.
After one season in the second flight with Bury, he moved to Sunderland
for £1million and won the First Division championship
in his first season. He featured through a full season in the Premier League in 1999/2000
.
However, he found himself often left out of Sunderland's first team during the following season. To gain playing time, First Division
Wolves
took him on loan in late 2000, a move made permanent by incoming manager Dave Jones for £1million in January 2001. He was made club captain for the following season which saw the team mount an automatic promotion challenge, only to fall away in the final weeks into the play-offs, where they lost to Norwich
. The next year saw Butler win a second promotion to the top flight though, as the club won the play-offs, beating 3-0 in the 2003 final
.
He remained with the club for their solitary season in the Premier League but could not agree terms of a new contract afterward and instead joined fellow-relegated side Leeds United
in July 2004. He was a first choice centre-back during manager Kevin Blackwell
's reign and was made captain shortly after signing. Leeds first season was one of consolidating, the following season The 2005/06 season
saw the club almost regain their place in the top division but they lost the play-off final to .
After some poor performances, loss of fitness and the sacking of manager Kevin Blackwell
, new manager Dennis Wise
decided to strip Butler of the captaincy after a fall out, and he was told he was free to leave Elland Road
on loan until January then on a free transfer. He duly moved on loan to League Two
Milton Keynes Dons
in November 2006. After returning to his parent club, he was released from his contract with Leeds leaving under poor terms with Dennis Wise
, and two days later signed a permanent contract with the Dons.
Butler failed to complete the season with the MK Dons though, leaving in March 2007 after only 9 further appearances. He joined Chester City
four months later and quickly struck up a strong central defensive partnership with Paul Linwood
, later combining playing duties with a role on the coaching staff. But he was to rarely feature after April 2008, he fell out with Chester's manager after a poor performance against his former club Leeds United in the carling cup where Butler was substituted at half time, He never played for the club again and on February 1, 2009 he agreed a deal to leave Chester and become a free agent as he continued working towards completing his coaching qualifications.
In 2010 Butler joined Paul Dickov
's new management team at Oldham Athletic where Butler was given the role of Chief Scout.
(for whom he qualified via his Irish wife), in a friendly against the Czech Republic
on 23 February 2000. He was pitted against the big Czech striker Jan Koller
, but by half-time Ireland were 2-0 down thanks to two Koller goals. Butler was substituted at half-time and Ireland went on to win the game 3-2. Butler's international career is generally referred to in derisive terms by Irish supporters and he is often nominated in fans "worst ever Ireland XI's"
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
where he played as a centre-back. Despite being born in Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
he played for Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland national football team
The Republic of Ireland national football team represents Ireland in association football. It is run by the Football Association of Ireland and currently plays home fixtures at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, which opened in May 2010....
. He is currently chief scout at Oldham Athletic. He was most recently a player at League Two
Football League Two
Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
side Chester City
Chester City F.C.
Chester City Football Club was an English football team from Chester. The club was founded as Chester F.C., and joined the Football League in 1931, spending most of their time in the lower divisions. They changed their name to Chester City in 1983. Chester won their first league title in 2004, the...
, where he also had spells as captain and assistant-manager.
He has previously played in the Premier League for Sunderland
Sunderland A.F.C.
Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
and Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...
, and was also a former captain of Leeds United.
Career
Butler was born, in MostonMoston, Greater Manchester
Moston is a district of Manchester, in North West England, approximately 3 miles north east of the city centre. Historically a part of Lancashire, Moston is a predominantly residential area, with a population of about 12,500 and covering approximately .-History:The name Moston may derive...
, Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
and began his professional career at Rochdale in 1991 and remained with the club for five seasons before joining Bury
Bury F.C.
Bury Football Club is an association football team based in Bury, Greater Manchester. The team currently play in League One. The club's nickname is The Shakers which was bestowed upon them by club chairman JT Ingham, an industrialist and ironmonger of the late 1890s.-Formation of the club and the...
. Here, he won promotion to the second flight in his first season.
After one season in the second flight with Bury, he moved to Sunderland
Sunderland A.F.C.
Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
for £1million and won the First Division championship
Football League First Division
The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
in his first season. He featured through a full season in the Premier League in 1999/2000
1999-2000 in English football
-Premier League:Manchester United were crowned FA Premier League champions with an 18-point margin over runners-up Arsenal and with just 3 league defeats all season. This was despite their failure to retain the European Cup and withdrawal from the FA Cup in order to compete in the FIFA Club World...
.
However, he found himself often left out of Sunderland's first team during the following season. To gain playing time, First Division
Football League First Division
The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
Wolves
Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...
took him on loan in late 2000, a move made permanent by incoming manager Dave Jones for £1million in January 2001. He was made club captain for the following season which saw the team mount an automatic promotion challenge, only to fall away in the final weeks into the play-offs, where they lost to Norwich
Norwich City F.C.
Norwich City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Norwich, Norfolk. As of the 2011–12 season, Norwich City are again playing in the Premier League after a six-year absence, having finished as runner up in the Championship in 2010–11 and winning automatic promotion.The...
. The next year saw Butler win a second promotion to the top flight though, as the club won the play-offs, beating 3-0 in the 2003 final
2003 Football League First Division playoff final
The 2003 Football League First Division playoff final was a football match played at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium on 26 May 2003, at the end of the 2002–03 season...
.
He remained with the club for their solitary season in the Premier League but could not agree terms of a new contract afterward and instead joined fellow-relegated side Leeds United
Leeds United A.F.C.
Leeds United Association Football Club are an English professional association football club based in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, who play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system...
in July 2004. He was a first choice centre-back during manager Kevin Blackwell
Kevin Blackwell
Kevin Patrick Blackwell is an English former professional football goalkeeper who since retiring as a player has worked as a coach and a manager. He has an identical twin, Noel.-Early career:...
's reign and was made captain shortly after signing. Leeds first season was one of consolidating, the following season The 2005/06 season
2005-06 in English football
The 2005–06 season was the 126th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:*The rebuilt Wembley Stadium was due to open in time for the FA Cup final in May. However, in August 2005, The Football Association reserved the Millennium Stadium as a backup, as there was some doubt whether...
saw the club almost regain their place in the top division but they lost the play-off final to .
After some poor performances, loss of fitness and the sacking of manager Kevin Blackwell
Kevin Blackwell
Kevin Patrick Blackwell is an English former professional football goalkeeper who since retiring as a player has worked as a coach and a manager. He has an identical twin, Noel.-Early career:...
, new manager Dennis Wise
Dennis Wise
Dennis Frank Wise is an English former football manager and player, and former Executive Director at Newcastle United....
decided to strip Butler of the captaincy after a fall out, and he was told he was free to leave Elland Road
Elland Road
Elland Road is an all-seater football stadium in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. It has been the permanent residence of Leeds United A.F.C...
on loan until January then on a free transfer. He duly moved on loan to League Two
Football League Two
Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
Milton Keynes Dons
Milton Keynes Dons F.C.
.Milton Keynes Dons Football Club is an English professional football club founded in 2004 and based since 2007 at Stadium mk, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire...
in November 2006. After returning to his parent club, he was released from his contract with Leeds leaving under poor terms with Dennis Wise
Dennis Wise
Dennis Frank Wise is an English former football manager and player, and former Executive Director at Newcastle United....
, and two days later signed a permanent contract with the Dons.
Butler failed to complete the season with the MK Dons though, leaving in March 2007 after only 9 further appearances. He joined Chester City
Chester City F.C.
Chester City Football Club was an English football team from Chester. The club was founded as Chester F.C., and joined the Football League in 1931, spending most of their time in the lower divisions. They changed their name to Chester City in 1983. Chester won their first league title in 2004, the...
four months later and quickly struck up a strong central defensive partnership with Paul Linwood
Paul Linwood
Paul Linwood is a professional footballer currently playing in the Conference National for Fleetwood Town. Linwood plays as a central defender.-Tranmere Rovers:...
, later combining playing duties with a role on the coaching staff. But he was to rarely feature after April 2008, he fell out with Chester's manager after a poor performance against his former club Leeds United in the carling cup where Butler was substituted at half time, He never played for the club again and on February 1, 2009 he agreed a deal to leave Chester and become a free agent as he continued working towards completing his coaching qualifications.
In 2010 Butler joined Paul Dickov
Paul Dickov
Paul Dickov is a retired Scottish footballer, turned manager who is currently in charge of League One side Oldham Athletic...
's new management team at Oldham Athletic where Butler was given the role of Chief Scout.
International
Butler made his only appearance for the Republic of IrelandRepublic of Ireland national football team
The Republic of Ireland national football team represents Ireland in association football. It is run by the Football Association of Ireland and currently plays home fixtures at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, which opened in May 2010....
(for whom he qualified via his Irish wife), in a friendly against the Czech Republic
Czech Republic national football team
The Czech Republic national football team represents the Czech Republic in association football and is controlled by the Football Association of the Czech Republic, the governing body for football in the Czech Republic. Their current head coach is Michal Bílek...
on 23 February 2000. He was pitted against the big Czech striker Jan Koller
Jan Koller
Jan Koller is Czech footballer currently playing in AFK Smetanova Lhota.As an international player he played as a striker for the Czech Republic national team. He is the all-time leading goal scorer for either the Czech Republic or the former Czechoslovakia, with 55 goals in 91 caps...
, but by half-time Ireland were 2-0 down thanks to two Koller goals. Butler was substituted at half-time and Ireland went on to win the game 3-2. Butler's international career is generally referred to in derisive terms by Irish supporters and he is often nominated in fans "worst ever Ireland XI's"