Dennis Butler
Encyclopedia
Dennis Anthony Butler is an English
former footballer and football manager
. He played as a winger for Bolton Wanderers
between 1959 and 1968, before ending his playing career following a five year spell at Rochdale
. Later working as a coach an assistant manager, he spent an unsuccessful time as Port Vale
manager between 1978 and 1979.
at the age of 15 in 1959. He spent nine years with the club, racking up 65 appearances. Dennis made his debut in December 1963 at Aston Villa
. The following week he made a winning home debut against the great Tottenham Hotspur
side before scoring his first league goal at Arsenal
in January 1964. He was an ever present until a bad cartilage injury in October 1964,which kept him out of football for nearly a year. Butler made other appearances for Bolton before moving on to Rochdale
in 1968. He was signed by Bob Stokoe
and spent over six years with Rochdale playing 156 league games, and scoring 36 goals before his early retirement as a player in 1973.
.
He was made assistant manager of Port Vale
under Bobby Smith in November 1977. After Smith's departure, he became manager for the 1978–79 season
. Butler signed and gave debuts to Mark Chamberlain
and Felix Healy
and continued to try to sign young players to secure a healthy future for the club. Port Vale finished 16th in the Fourth Division
and later he left by mutual consent in August 1979. Dennis then reunited with Bobby Smith at Swindon becoming the first team coach before retiring from football in 1980.
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
former footballer and football manager
Coach (sport)
In sports, a coach is an individual involved in the direction, instruction and training of the operations of a sports team or of individual sportspeople.-Staff:...
. He played as a winger for Bolton Wanderers
Bolton Wanderers F.C.
Bolton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the area of Horwich in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, Greater Manchester. They began their current spell in the Premier League in 2001....
between 1959 and 1968, before ending his playing career following a five year spell at Rochdale
Rochdale A.F.C.
Rochdale Association Football Club is an English professional football club based in Rochdale, Greater Manchester. They play their home matches at Spotland Stadium. Formed in 1907, they were accepted into the Football League in 1921...
. Later working as a coach an assistant manager, he spent an unsuccessful time as Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
manager between 1978 and 1979.
Playing career
Dennis played for Leigh Grammar School and Atherton Schoolboys before joining Bolton WanderersBolton Wanderers F.C.
Bolton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the area of Horwich in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, Greater Manchester. They began their current spell in the Premier League in 2001....
at the age of 15 in 1959. He spent nine years with the club, racking up 65 appearances. Dennis made his debut in December 1963 at Aston Villa
Aston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
. The following week he made a winning home debut against the great Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane....
side before scoring his first league goal at Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
in January 1964. He was an ever present until a bad cartilage injury in October 1964,which kept him out of football for nearly a year. Butler made other appearances for Bolton before moving on to Rochdale
Rochdale A.F.C.
Rochdale Association Football Club is an English professional football club based in Rochdale, Greater Manchester. They play their home matches at Spotland Stadium. Formed in 1907, they were accepted into the Football League in 1921...
in 1968. He was signed by Bob Stokoe
Bob Stokoe
Robert "Bob" Stokoe was an English footballer and manager who was able, almost uniquely, to transcend the traditional north-east rivalry between the region's footballing giants, Newcastle United and Sunderland....
and spent over six years with Rochdale playing 156 league games, and scoring 36 goals before his early retirement as a player in 1973.
Managerial career
Following his retirement as a player, he coached at Rochdale and BuryBury 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...
.
He was made assistant manager of Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
under Bobby Smith in November 1977. After Smith's departure, he became manager for the 1978–79 season
1978–79 Port Vale F.C. season
The 1978–79 season was Port Vale's sixty-seventh season of football in the Football League, and their first season back in the Fourth Division following their relegation from the Third Division. Bernie Wright was highly impressive with his fifteen goals, though the rest of the team limped to a...
. Butler signed and gave debuts to Mark Chamberlain
Mark Chamberlain
Mark Valentine Chamberlain is an English retired international footballer. He is the younger brother of Neville Chamberlain, and the father of Arsenal and England U21 player Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain....
and Felix Healy
Felix Healy
Felix Healy is a former Northern Ireland international footballer who played for Coleraine and then became a football manager...
and continued to try to sign young players to secure a healthy future for the club. Port Vale finished 16th in the Fourth Division
Football League Fourth Division
The Fourth Division of The Football League was the fourth-highest division in the English football league system from the 1958–59 season until the creation of the Premier League prior to the 1992–93 season...
and later he left by mutual consent in August 1979. Dennis then reunited with Bobby Smith at Swindon becoming the first team coach before retiring from football in 1980.
Managerial statistics
| Team | From | Port Vale Port Vale F.C. Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as... | 17 May 1978 | 30 August 1979 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total |
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