Nicky Butt
Encyclopedia
Nicholas "Nicky" Butt is an English
footballer. He began his career with Manchester United
and spent 12 years in their first-team before moving to Newcastle United
in 2004. He spent one season on loan to Birmingham City
in 2005–06. He is also a former England
international; he won 39 caps
in a seven-year England career.
, Manchester
, Butt began his career at Manchester United
as an important part of their youth team before turning professional in 1993.
He made his first-team debut in the 1992–93 season
as a substitute against Oldham Athletic
in a 3–0 Premier League win on 21 November 1992, but did not get his big break in the team until the 1994–95 season
, often covering for Roy Keane
in the event of injuries and suspension. One of his first appearances for the first team came in the FA Cup semi-final on 10 April 1994, also against Oldham as a substitute, this time in a 1–1 draw at Wembley Stadium
. United won the replay 4–1 at Maine Road
but he was not included in the squad.
With the departure of Paul Ince
to Internazionale
in the 1995 close season, manager Alex Ferguson
chose to draft in Butt as Ince's successor in midfield alongside Roy Keane
. Butt was part of a notable batch of Manchester United young talent dubbed Fergie's Fledglings
, who had all been unleashed into the first team in 1995 having won the FA Youth Cup
in 1992.
Butt performed remarkably in his first two full seasons at United, and often started in the lineup, scoring crucial goals, such as against Liverpool
in Eric Cantona
's famous comeback match in October 1995, and forcing Nigel Winterburn
to concede an own goal
for the winner against Arsenal
in 1996. Butt also functioned as a steady replacement for Roy Keane
as the hard tackler of the midfield, especially when Keane was injured for much of the 1997–98 season, earning a PFA Team of the Year award that year. However, when Keane returned, and after striker Paul Scholes
developed into a midfielder around the end of the 1990s, Butt's first-team chances started to become increasingly limited.
Butt still went on to collect many honours at United, as the club capped their domination of the 1990s with a remarkable and unique treble win in 1999 (with Butt playing the whole of the Champions League Final
due to Roy Keane being suspended), and several more titles in the years up till 2001. By the time of his departure from Old Trafford
, Butt had gained six Premier League title winner's medals, three FA Cup
winner's medals and a Champions League
winner's medal. He had also collected an FA Cup runners-up medal in 1995.
during the January transfer window. He was signed by Bobby Robson
for Newcastle United
in July 2004 for a fee of £2.5 million on a four year deal, where he was seen as a replacement for the veteran Gary Speed
, who had moved to Bolton Wanderers
.
Butt had a disappointing and injury-marred 2004–05
season, prompting the then Newcastle manager Graeme Souness
to sign Senegal
ese midfielder Amdy Faye in January 2005. Despite a promising start, the fans turned on Butt after the 4–1 defeat against Manchester United in the FA Cup
semi-final. The acquisition of Scott Parker
and Emre
in the summer of 2005 pushed Butt further down the pecking order, and his move to Birmingham City (managed by former Manchester United team-mate Steve Bruce
) on a season-long loan was announced on 3 August 2005.
However, on 13 February 2006, Butt walked out on his manager and former Manchester United team mate Steve Bruce
, after finding out Bruce placed his son Alex Bruce in the squad ahead of himself, and was later fined two weeks wages, which was £80,000 (€115,800). After Birmingham were relegated from the Premier League, Butt returned to Newcastle who were being managed by Glenn Roeder
.
Although not an instant fan favourite at St. James' Park, Butt won over some fans with two goals scored through headers in a pre-season friendly against Villarreal CF
. There was some speculation that newly-appointed Sunderland
manager Roy Keane
would try to sign his former Manchester United midfield partner. However, due to the lack of back-up midfielders at Newcastle and his good pre-season form, Butt remained at Newcastle.
During the 2006–07 season
, Butt was much more involved in the first team at Newcastle, playing in the holding role which allowed the likes of Parker and Emre to go forward. On 14 January 2007, Butt scored his first Newcastle goal in over 2 years when he scored the winner against Tottenham Hotspur
in a 3–2 victory at White Hart Lane
. Butt's return to form was encapsulated when he captained Newcastle in a UEFA Cup
match against Zulte Waregem on 15 February when Parker was injured. His good form that season continued, as on 9 April, Butt won the man of the match award for his performance against Arsenal
. He continued to captain Newcastle whenever Parker was injured, and by the end of the season it was widely considered that he had won over the Newcastle fans.
With Parker having moved to West Ham United
, Butt continued to play a big part in Newcastle's 2007–08 campaign. On 21 December, he penned a new contract keeping him at the club until the end of next season. After being an almost ever-present in that season, he expressed a desire to finish his career with Newcastle. Butt also started the season as captain, filling in for the injured Michael Owen
, and proved to be a popular choice. Butt played his 100th league game for Newcastle on 21 December 2008, marking it with a 2–1 home win against Tottenham. Newcastle were eventually relegated that season, meaning that Butt's record of playing in every Premier League season has been relinquished.
Butt was made permanent club captain for the 2009–10 season, his first outside the top flight, following Michael Owen
's departure to Manchester United as a free agent during the summer transfer window. However, vice-captain Alan Smith's impressive form has seen him take the armband more often than Butt. Butt started fewer games, but still effectively carried out his holding role well, leading his side to gritty shutouts in most of the games he started.
The club eventually won both promotion to the Premier League and the Championship
title, and Butt announced his retirement in the build-up to Newcastle's last home game against Ipswich Town
. He entered his penultimate game as a substitute and won a penalty en route to a 2–2 draw. Butt lifted the Championship
trophy alongside vice-captain Alan Smith.
After leaving Newcastle squad he has been backed by former Newcastle boss Chris Hughton to move into coaching, although a coaching position with Newcastle is not something Hughton had spoken with Butt about.
, said that the club expected Butt to sign for them at the end of the month. Butt signed for South China on 22 November. His first match was against TSW Pegasus
in a 2–1 win for South China. Butt scored from a freekick during this game but also embarrassingly missed a penalty.
He went back to UK right after the game. He came back to Hong Kong in mid January 2011. His second match with South China was against Tai Po FC in a 0-1 defeat on 29 January 2011. Mateja Kežman
also debuted for South China in the same match. Butt received his first red card against rivals Kitchee
in a league match which later prove to be crucial in deciding the league title. Butt left South China and returned to England in May 2011.
After leaving South China, he featured in Gary Neville
's testimonial against Juventus
on 24 May 2011 in central midfield alongside Paul Scholes
, rekindling the old times in a midfield that also contained David Beckham
. However, they lost the game to the Old Lady. Butt also featured in midfield for the Eric Cantona's New York Cosmos in Paul Scholes' testimonial match against Manchester United at Old Trafford on 5 August 2011.
season against Mexico and became a squad regular, providing reliable backup for the central midfield positions. An injury to first choice midfielder Steven Gerrard
before the 2002 FIFA World Cup
gave Butt his chance in the starting line-up alongside Manchester United teammates David Beckham
and Paul Scholes. Ahead of England's quarter-final game against Brazil
, He was named "the best player of the England squad" by Brazilian legend Pelé
, a compliment to his performance in the unattractive holding role. England eventually crashed out of the World Cup after a 2–1 defeat to Brazil.
After the World Cup he returned to his role as a squad player, providing experienced cover for the first-choice midfield pairing of Steven Gerrard
and Frank Lampard
. He was selected for UEFA Euro 2004, but missed the tournament through injury. His most recent international appearance was in a friendly against Spain
on 17 November 2004. In total he has appeared 39 times for England.
Statistics accurate as of 20 May 2011
Newcastle United
South China
on 4 May 2003.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
footballer. He began his career with Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
and spent 12 years in their first-team before moving to Newcastle United
Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
in 2004. He spent one season on loan to Birmingham City
Birmingham City F.C.
Birmingham City Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, they became Small Heath in 1888, then Birmingham in 1905, finally becoming Birmingham City in 1943.They were relegated at the end of the...
in 2005–06. He is also a former England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
international; he won 39 caps
Cap (sport)
In sports, a cap is a metaphorical term for a player's appearance on a select team, such as a national team. The term dates from the practice in the United Kingdom of awarding a cap to every player in an international match of association football...
in a seven-year England career.
Manchester United
Born in GortonGorton
Gorton is an area of the city of Manchester, in North West England. It is located to the southeast of Manchester city centre. Neighbouring areas include Longsight and Levenshulme....
, 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...
, Butt began his career at Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
as an important part of their youth team before turning professional in 1993.
He made his first-team debut in the 1992–93 season
1992-93 in English football
The 1992–1993 season was the 113th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:This season saw the birth of the FA Premier League. This meant a break-up of the 104-year-old Football League that had operated until then with four divisions....
as a substitute against Oldham Athletic
Oldham Athletic A.F.C.
Oldham Athletic Association Football Club is an English association football club based at Boundary Park, on Sheepfoot Lane in Oldham, Greater Manchester. The club currently competes in the Football League One, the third tier of the English league...
in a 3–0 Premier League win on 21 November 1992, but did not get his big break in the team until the 1994–95 season
1994-95 in English football
-Premiership:Blackburn Rovers ended their 81-year wait for the league title thanks to the strike partnership of Alan Shearer and Chris Sutton which scored a total of more than 50 league goals. Manchester United would have made it three league titles in a row if they had been able to turn a 1-1 draw...
, often covering for Roy Keane
Roy Keane
Roy Maurice Keane is an Irish former footballer and manager. In his 18-year playing career, he played for Cobh Ramblers in the League of Ireland, Nottingham Forest and Manchester United, before ending his career at Celtic in Scotland....
in the event of injuries and suspension. One of his first appearances for the first team came in the FA Cup semi-final on 10 April 1994, also against Oldham as a substitute, this time in a 1–1 draw at Wembley Stadium
Wembley Stadium
The original Wembley Stadium, officially known as the Empire Stadium, was a football stadium in Wembley, a suburb of north-west London, standing on the site now occupied by the new Wembley Stadium that opened in 2007...
. United won the replay 4–1 at Maine Road
Maine Road
Maine Road was a football stadium in Moss Side, Manchester, England that was home to Manchester City F.C. from its construction in 1923 until 2003...
but he was not included in the squad.
With the departure of Paul Ince
Paul Ince
Paul Emerson Carlyle Ince is an English football manager and a former professional player. He has managed Blackburn Rovers, Milton Keynes Dons and Macclesfield Town...
to Internazionale
F.C. Internazionale Milano
Football Club Internazionale Milano, often referred to as Internazionale or simply Inter, is a professional Italian football club based in Milan, Italy. Outside Italy, the club is often called Inter Milan. They are the reigning FIFA Club World champions and Coppa Italia holders.Inter have always...
in the 1995 close season, manager Alex Ferguson
Alex Ferguson
Sir Alexander Chapman "Alex" Ferguson, CBE is a Scottish association football manager and former player, currently managing Manchester United, where he has been in charge since 1986...
chose to draft in Butt as Ince's successor in midfield alongside Roy Keane
Roy Keane
Roy Maurice Keane is an Irish former footballer and manager. In his 18-year playing career, he played for Cobh Ramblers in the League of Ireland, Nottingham Forest and Manchester United, before ending his career at Celtic in Scotland....
. Butt was part of a notable batch of Manchester United young talent dubbed Fergie's Fledglings
Fergie's Fledglings
Fergie's Fledglings were a group of Manchester United players recruited under the management of Alex Ferguson and trained by assistant coaches Brian Kidd and Eric Harrison, before eventually progressing to the first team...
, who had all been unleashed into the first team in 1995 having won the FA Youth Cup
FA Youth Cup
The Football Association Youth Challenge Cup is an English football competition run by The Football Association for under–18 sides. Only those players between the age of 15 and 18 on 31 August of the current season are eligible to take part...
in 1992.
Butt performed remarkably in his first two full seasons at United, and often started in the lineup, scoring crucial goals, such as against Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
in Eric Cantona
Eric Cantona
Eric Daniel Pierre Cantona is a French actor and former French international footballer. He played for Auxerre, Martigues, Marseille, Bordeaux, Montpellier, Nîmes and Leeds United before ending his professional footballing career at Manchester United, where he won four Premier League titles in...
's famous comeback match in October 1995, and forcing Nigel Winterburn
Nigel Winterburn
Nigel Winterburn is a retired English footballer who played at left-back for Arsenal. He is best known for his role alongside Tony Adams, Martin Keown and Lee Dixon, forming a celebrated defensive line in the Premier League and European football during the 1990s.-Early career:Winterburn was born...
to concede an own goal
Own goal
An own net occurs in goal-scoring games when a player scores a goal that is registered against his or her own team. It is usually accidental, and may be a result of an attempt at defensive play that failed or was spoiled by opponents....
for the winner against 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 1996. Butt also functioned as a steady replacement for Roy Keane
Roy Keane
Roy Maurice Keane is an Irish former footballer and manager. In his 18-year playing career, he played for Cobh Ramblers in the League of Ireland, Nottingham Forest and Manchester United, before ending his career at Celtic in Scotland....
as the hard tackler of the midfield, especially when Keane was injured for much of the 1997–98 season, earning a PFA Team of the Year award that year. However, when Keane returned, and after striker Paul Scholes
Paul Scholes
Paul Scholes is a retired English footballer, a one-club man who played his entire professional career for Manchester United.Born in Salford, but later moving to Langley, Scholes excelled in both cricket and football in school. He first trained with Manchester United at the age of 14 after being...
developed into a midfielder around the end of the 1990s, Butt's first-team chances started to become increasingly limited.
Butt still went on to collect many honours at United, as the club capped their domination of the 1990s with a remarkable and unique treble win in 1999 (with Butt playing the whole of the Champions League Final
1999 UEFA Champions League Final
The 1999 UEFA Champions League Final was a football match that took place on Wednesday, 26 May 1999. The match was played at Camp Nou in Barcelona, Spain, to determine the winner of the 1998–99 UEFA Champions League. The final was contested by Manchester United and Bayern Munich...
due to Roy Keane being suspended), and several more titles in the years up till 2001. By the time of his departure from Old Trafford
Old Trafford
Old Trafford commonly refers to two sporting arenas:* Old Trafford, home of Manchester United F.C.* Old Trafford Cricket Ground, home of Lancashire County Cricket ClubOld Trafford can also refer to:...
, Butt had gained six Premier League title winner's medals, three FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
winner's medals and a Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
winner's medal. He had also collected an FA Cup runners-up medal in 1995.
Newcastle United
Butt handed in a transfer request in January 2004, but turned down a proposed move to Birmingham CityBirmingham City F.C.
Birmingham City Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, they became Small Heath in 1888, then Birmingham in 1905, finally becoming Birmingham City in 1943.They were relegated at the end of the...
during the January transfer window. He was signed by Bobby Robson
Bobby Robson
Sir Robert William "Bobby" Robson, CBE was an English footballer and manager, who coached seven European clubs and the England national team during his career....
for Newcastle United
Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
in July 2004 for a fee of £2.5 million on a four year deal, where he was seen as a replacement for the veteran Gary Speed
Gary Speed
Gary Andrew Speed, MBE was a Welsh football player and manager. He was captain of the Wales national football team until he retired from international football in 2004 and he remains the most capped outfield player for Wales and the second overall, having appeared 85 times at senior level between...
, who had moved to 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....
.
Butt had a disappointing and injury-marred 2004–05
2004-05 in English football
The 2004–05 season was the 125th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:*2004–05 was the first season to feature the rebranded Football League. The First Division, Second Division and Third Division were renamed the Football League Championship, Football League One and Football League...
season, prompting the then Newcastle manager Graeme Souness
Graeme Souness
Graeme James Souness is a Scottish former professional football player and manager.Souness was the captain of the successful Liverpool team of the early 1980s and player-manager of Rangers in the late 1980s as well as captain of the Scottish national team. He also played for Tottenham Hotspur,...
to sign Senegal
Senegal
Senegal , officially the Republic of Senegal , is a country in western Africa. It owes its name to the Sénégal River that borders it to the east and north...
ese midfielder Amdy Faye in January 2005. Despite a promising start, the fans turned on Butt after the 4–1 defeat against Manchester United in the FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
semi-final. The acquisition of Scott Parker
Scott Parker (footballer)
Scott Matthew Parker is an English footballer who plays for Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur and the England national team. He is the FWA Footballer of the Year for the 2010–11 season. He has represented England at every level from under-16 to senior. Uniquely, he won his first four England...
and Emre
Emre Belözoglu
Emre Belözoğlu is a Turkish football midfielder who plays for Fenerbahçe.Having also played for clubs Galatasaray, Internazionale, and Newcastle United, Emre has been a part of the Turkey national team at the 2002 World Cup and at Euro 2008 among other tournaments...
in the summer of 2005 pushed Butt further down the pecking order, and his move to Birmingham City (managed by former Manchester United team-mate Steve Bruce
Steve Bruce
Stephen Roger "Steve" Bruce is an English football manager and former player. Born in Corbridge, Northumberland, he was a promising schoolboy footballer but was rejected by a number of professional clubs. He was on the verge of quitting the game altogether when he was offered a trial with Gillingham...
) on a season-long loan was announced on 3 August 2005.
However, on 13 February 2006, Butt walked out on his manager and former Manchester United team mate Steve Bruce
Steve Bruce
Stephen Roger "Steve" Bruce is an English football manager and former player. Born in Corbridge, Northumberland, he was a promising schoolboy footballer but was rejected by a number of professional clubs. He was on the verge of quitting the game altogether when he was offered a trial with Gillingham...
, after finding out Bruce placed his son Alex Bruce in the squad ahead of himself, and was later fined two weeks wages, which was £80,000 (€115,800). After Birmingham were relegated from the Premier League, Butt returned to Newcastle who were being managed by Glenn Roeder
Glenn Roeder
Glenn Victor Roeder is an English football manager and former player, most recently in charge at Norwich City. As a player, Roeder represented England B on 7 occasions...
.
Although not an instant fan favourite at St. James' Park, Butt won over some fans with two goals scored through headers in a pre-season friendly against Villarreal CF
Villarreal CF
Villarreal Club de Fútbol, S.A.D. , usually abbreviated to Villarreal CF or just Villarreal, is a Spanish Primera División football club based in Vila-real, a city in the province of Castellón within the Valencian Community...
. There was some speculation that newly-appointed 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...
manager Roy Keane
Roy Keane
Roy Maurice Keane is an Irish former footballer and manager. In his 18-year playing career, he played for Cobh Ramblers in the League of Ireland, Nottingham Forest and Manchester United, before ending his career at Celtic in Scotland....
would try to sign his former Manchester United midfield partner. However, due to the lack of back-up midfielders at Newcastle and his good pre-season form, Butt remained at Newcastle.
2006-07 in English football
The 2006–07 season was the 127th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:* The number of divisions at Level 8 of the English football league system increased from four to five...
, Butt was much more involved in the first team at Newcastle, playing in the holding role which allowed the likes of Parker and Emre to go forward. On 14 January 2007, Butt scored his first Newcastle goal in over 2 years when he scored the winner against 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....
in a 3–2 victory at White Hart Lane
White Hart Lane
White Hart Lane is an all-seater football stadium in Tottenham, London, England. Built in 1899, it is the home of Tottenham Hotspur and, after numerous renovations, the stadium has a capacity of 36,230....
. Butt's return to form was encapsulated when he captained Newcastle in a UEFA Cup
UEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
match against Zulte Waregem on 15 February when Parker was injured. His good form that season continued, as on 9 April, Butt won the man of the match award for his performance against 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...
. He continued to captain Newcastle whenever Parker was injured, and by the end of the season it was widely considered that he had won over the Newcastle fans.
With Parker having moved to West Ham United
West Ham United F.C.
West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. They play in The Football League Championship. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. In 1904 the club relocated to their current...
, Butt continued to play a big part in Newcastle's 2007–08 campaign. On 21 December, he penned a new contract keeping him at the club until the end of next season. After being an almost ever-present in that season, he expressed a desire to finish his career with Newcastle. Butt also started the season as captain, filling in for the injured Michael Owen
Michael Owen
Michael James Owen is an English professional footballer who plays as a striker for Manchester United.The son of former footballer Terry Owen, Owen began his senior career at Liverpool in 1996. He progressed through the Liverpool youth team and scored on his debut in May 1997...
, and proved to be a popular choice. Butt played his 100th league game for Newcastle on 21 December 2008, marking it with a 2–1 home win against Tottenham. Newcastle were eventually relegated that season, meaning that Butt's record of playing in every Premier League season has been relinquished.
Butt was made permanent club captain for the 2009–10 season, his first outside the top flight, following Michael Owen
Michael Owen
Michael James Owen is an English professional footballer who plays as a striker for Manchester United.The son of former footballer Terry Owen, Owen began his senior career at Liverpool in 1996. He progressed through the Liverpool youth team and scored on his debut in May 1997...
's departure to Manchester United as a free agent during the summer transfer window. However, vice-captain Alan Smith's impressive form has seen him take the armband more often than Butt. Butt started fewer games, but still effectively carried out his holding role well, leading his side to gritty shutouts in most of the games he started.
The club eventually won both promotion to the Premier League and the Championship
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
title, and Butt announced his retirement in the build-up to Newcastle's last home game against Ipswich Town
Ipswich Town F.C.
Ipswich Town Football Club are an English professional football team based in Ipswich, Suffolk. As of 2011, they play in the Football League Championship, having last appeared in the Premier League in 2001–02....
. He entered his penultimate game as a substitute and won a penalty en route to a 2–2 draw. Butt lifted the Championship
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
trophy alongside vice-captain Alan Smith.
After leaving Newcastle squad he has been backed by former Newcastle boss Chris Hughton to move into coaching, although a coaching position with Newcastle is not something Hughton had spoken with Butt about.
South China
On 6 November 2010, the chairman of Hong Kong club South China, Steven LoSteven Lo
Steven Lo Kit-Sing is a Hong Kong and Macanese businessman active in the entertainment world.Born in Hong Kong, Steven Lo had his upbringing and education in Macau. After graduation from high school, he worked in the banking industry and then started up a European cars dealership business...
, said that the club expected Butt to sign for them at the end of the month. Butt signed for South China on 22 November. His first match was against TSW Pegasus
TSW Pegasus
TSW Pegasus Football Club is a football team in Hong Kong, formed in 2008. Its new head coach is Chan Hiu Ming, with Yeung Ching Kwong, Shum Kwok Pui and Leung Cheuk Cheung as assistant coaches.-History:...
in a 2–1 win for South China. Butt scored from a freekick during this game but also embarrassingly missed a penalty.
He went back to UK right after the game. He came back to Hong Kong in mid January 2011. His second match with South China was against Tai Po FC in a 0-1 defeat on 29 January 2011. Mateja Kežman
Mateja Kežman
Mateja Kežman is a Serbian football striker who plays for FC BATE Borisov of the Belarusian Premier League....
also debuted for South China in the same match. Butt received his first red card against rivals Kitchee
Kitchee
Kitchee Sports Club is a Hong Kong sports club best known for its footballing exploits. The club was founded in 1931 and currently plays in Hong Kong First Division League....
in a league match which later prove to be crucial in deciding the league title. Butt left South China and returned to England in May 2011.
After leaving South China, he featured in Gary Neville
Gary Neville
Gary Alexander Neville is a former English footballer. He is England's most capped right-back and was Manchester United's club captain for five years....
's testimonial against Juventus
Juventus F.C.
Juventus Football Club S.p.A. , commonly referred to as Juventus and colloquially as Juve , are a professional Italian association football club based in Turin, Piedmont...
on 24 May 2011 in central midfield alongside Paul Scholes
Paul Scholes
Paul Scholes is a retired English footballer, a one-club man who played his entire professional career for Manchester United.Born in Salford, but later moving to Langley, Scholes excelled in both cricket and football in school. He first trained with Manchester United at the age of 14 after being...
, rekindling the old times in a midfield that also contained David Beckham
David Beckham
David Robert Joseph Beckham, OBE is an English footballer who plays midfield for Los Angeles Galaxy in Major League Soccer, having previously played for Manchester United, Preston North End, Real Madrid, and A.C...
. However, they lost the game to the Old Lady. Butt also featured in midfield for the Eric Cantona's New York Cosmos in Paul Scholes' testimonial match against Manchester United at Old Trafford on 5 August 2011.
International career
Having been capped five times at under-21 level, he won his first England cap during the 1996–971996-97 in English football
The 1996–1997 season was the 117th season of competitive football in England.Arrival into the league and exit out of the league returns in the fourth tier for the first time after its 3 season absence with only 1 relegation spot.- Premier League :...
season against Mexico and became a squad regular, providing reliable backup for the central midfield positions. An injury to first choice midfielder Steven Gerrard
Steven Gerrard
Steven George Gerrard MBE is an English footballer who plays for and captains Premier League club Liverpool. He also has 89 caps for the England national team. He has played much of his career in a centre midfielder role, but he has also been used as a second striker and right winger...
before the 2002 FIFA World Cup
2002 FIFA World Cup
The 2002 FIFA World Cup was the 17th staging of the FIFA World Cup, held in South Korea and Japan from 31 May to 30 June. It was also the first World Cup held in Asia, and the last in which the golden goal rule was implemented. Brazil won the tournament for a record fifth time, beating Germany 2–0...
gave Butt his chance in the starting line-up alongside Manchester United teammates David Beckham
David Beckham
David Robert Joseph Beckham, OBE is an English footballer who plays midfield for Los Angeles Galaxy in Major League Soccer, having previously played for Manchester United, Preston North End, Real Madrid, and A.C...
and Paul Scholes. Ahead of England's quarter-final game against Brazil
Brazil national football team
The Brazil national football team represents Brazil in international men's football and is controlled by the Brazilian Football Confederation , the governing body for football in Brazil. They are a member of the International Federation of Association Football since 1923 and also a member of the...
, He was named "the best player of the England squad" by Brazilian legend Pelé
Pelé
However, Pelé has always maintained that those are mistakes, that he was actually named Edson and that he was born on 23 October 1940.), best known by his nickname Pelé , is a retired Brazilian footballer. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest football players of all time...
, a compliment to his performance in the unattractive holding role. England eventually crashed out of the World Cup after a 2–1 defeat to Brazil.
After the World Cup he returned to his role as a squad player, providing experienced cover for the first-choice midfield pairing of Steven Gerrard
Steven Gerrard
Steven George Gerrard MBE is an English footballer who plays for and captains Premier League club Liverpool. He also has 89 caps for the England national team. He has played much of his career in a centre midfielder role, but he has also been used as a second striker and right winger...
and Frank Lampard
Frank Lampard
Frank James Lampard is an English professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Chelsea and the England national team. He also holds the position of vice-captain for his club side...
. He was selected for UEFA Euro 2004, but missed the tournament through injury. His most recent international appearance was in a friendly against Spain
Spain national football team
The Spain national football team represents Spain in international association football and is controlled by the Royal Spanish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Spain. The current head coach is Vicente del Bosque...
on 17 November 2004. In total he has appeared 39 times for England.
Club
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup FA Cup The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's... |
League Cup Football League Cup The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis... |
Europe | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Manchester United Manchester United F.C. Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958... |
1992–93 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 1993–94 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| 1994–95 | 22 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 35 | 1 | |
| 1995–96 | 32 | 2 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 41 | 3 | |
| 1996–97 | 26 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 36 | 6 | |
| 1997–98 | 33 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 42 | 3 | |
| 1998–99 | 31 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 47 | 2 | |
| 1999–2000 | 32 | 3 | – | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 42 | 4 | ||
| 2000–01 | 28 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 41 | 4 | |
| 2001–02 | 25 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 37 | 1 | |
| 2002–03 | 18 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 29 | 0 | |
| 2003–04 | 21 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 34 | 2 | |
| Total | 270 | 21 | 29 | 1 | 8 | 0 | 71 | 2 | 9 | 2 | 387 | 26 | |
| Newcastle United Newcastle United F.C. Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger... |
2004–05 | 18 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 28 | 1 |
| 2005–06 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| Birmingham City Birmingham City F.C. Birmingham City Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, they became Small Heath in 1888, then Birmingham in 1905, finally becoming Birmingham City in 1943.They were relegated at the end of the... (loan) |
2005–06 | 24 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 29 | 3 |
| Newcastle United Newcastle United F.C. Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger... |
2006–07 | 31 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 47 | 1 |
| 2007–08 | 35 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 39 | 3 | |
| 2008–09 | 33 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 37 | 0 | |
| 2009–10 2009–10 Football League Championship The Football League Championship season 2009–10 is the sixth season of the league under its current title and eighteenth season under its current league division format... |
17 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 0 | |
| Club | Season | League | Senior Shield Hong Kong Senior Shield Hong Kong Senior Challenge Shield is the oldest football knockout inter-club competition in Asia. Usually only the teams in First Division would enter into the competition... |
FA Cup Hong Kong FA Cup Hong Kong FA Cup is a knockout cup competition in Hong Kong football, run by and named after The Hong Kong Football Association. The first edition of the competition was held in 1975, before then the cup was known as the Golden Jubilee Cup. The current season is the 33rd edition of the event... |
Asia AFC Cup The AFC Cup is an annual international association football competition between domestic clubs sides run by the Asian Football Confederation . Qualification to the competition is to clubs from AFC-affiliated countries which fall into the AFC's 'developing nations' category as laid out in their... |
Other | Total | ||||||
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| South China | 2010–11 2010–11 Hong Kong First Division League 2010–11 Hong Kong Football Association First Division League is the 99th top tier football league of Hong Kong. The 2010–11 Hong Kong First Division League is contested by 10 teams. The defending champion is South China AA... |
3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 13 | 2 |
| Total | 431 | 30 | 41 | 1 | 21 | 1 | 97 | 2 | 11 | 2 | 601 | 36 | |
Statistics accurate as of 20 May 2011
Club
Manchester United- Premier League
- Champions: 1995–96, 1996–97, 1998–99, 1999–2000, 2000–01, 2002–03
- Runner-up: 1994-95, 1997-98
- FA CupFA CupThe Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
- Winner: 19961996 FA Cup FinalThe 1996 FA Cup Final was the 51st to be held at Wembley Stadium after the Second World War and was held between two of the biggest rivals in English football, Manchester United and Liverpool.- Build-up :...
, 19991999 FA Cup FinalThe 1999 FA Cup Final took place on 22 May 1999 and was played at the old Wembley Stadium. It was contested between Manchester United and Newcastle United. Manchester United had finished as champions and Newcastle 13th in the Premier League that season. The Final was a one-sided affair, Manchester...
, 2004 - Runner-up: 1995
- Winner: 1996
- League CupFootball League CupThe Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
- Runner-up: 20032003 Football League Cup FinalThe 2003 Football League Cup Final was the final match of the 2002–03 Football League Cup, a football tournament for teams in the Premier League and the Football League. The match was contested by Liverpool and Manchester United at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on 2 March 2003...
- Runner-up: 2003
- FA Community ShieldFA Community ShieldThe Football Association Community Shield is English football's annual match contested between the champions of the previous Premier League season and the holders of the FA Cup at Wembley Stadium. If the Premier League champions also won the FA Cup then the league runners-up provide the opposition...
- Winner: 19941994 FA Charity ShieldThe 1994 FA Charity Shield was the 72nd FA Charity Shield, an annual football match played between the winners of the previous season's Premier League and FA Cup competitions...
, 19961996 FA Charity ShieldThe 1996 FA Charity Shield was the 74th FA Charity Shield, an annual football match played between the winners of the previous season's Premier League and FA Cup competitions...
, 19971997 FA Charity ShieldThe 1997 FA Charity Shield was the 75th FA Charity Shield, an annual football match played between the winners of the previous season's Premier League and FA Cup competitions. The match was played on 3 August 1997 at Wembley Stadium and contested by Manchester United, who had won the 1996–97 FA...
, 20032003 FA Community ShieldThe 2003 FA Community Shield was the 81st FA Community Shield, a football match played between the winners of the previous season's Premier League and FA Cup competitions... - Runner-up: 19981998 FA Charity ShieldThe 1998 FA Charity Shield was the 76th FA Charity Shield, an annual football match played between the winners of the previous season's Premier League and FA Cup competitions. The match was played contested by Arsenal, who won the league and cup Double the previous season, and Manchester United,...
, 19991999 FA Charity ShieldThe 1999 FA Charity Shield was a football match held on 1 August 1999 at Wembley Stadium. The teams involved were Manchester United, who had won the Premier League, FA Cup and UEFA Champions League the previous season, and Arsenal, who had finished as runners-up to United in the league. Arsenal won...
, 20002000 FA Charity ShieldThe 2000 FA Charity Shield was the 78th FA Charity Shield, an annual football match played between the winners of the previous season's Premier League and FA Cup competitions. The match was played between Manchester United, who won the 1999–2000 Premier League, and Chelsea, who won the 1999–2000 FA...
, 20012001 FA Charity ShieldThe 2001 FA Charity Shield was the 79th FA Charity Shield, a football match played between the winners of the previous season's Premier League and FA Cup competitions. The match was played on 12 August 2001 between 2000–01 Premier League champions Manchester United and 2000–01 FA Cup winners...
- Winner: 1994
- UEFA Champions LeagueUEFA Champions LeagueThe UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
- Winner: 19991999 UEFA Champions League FinalThe 1999 UEFA Champions League Final was a football match that took place on Wednesday, 26 May 1999. The match was played at Camp Nou in Barcelona, Spain, to determine the winner of the 1998–99 UEFA Champions League. The final was contested by Manchester United and Bayern Munich...
- Winner: 1999
- Intercontinental CupIntercontinental Cup (football)The European/South American Cup, commonly referred to as the World Club Championship, Intercontinental Cup or Toyota Cup, was a football competition endorsed by UEFA and CONMEBOL, contested between the winners of the European Cup and the South American Copa Libertadores...
- Winner: 19991999 Intercontinental CupThe 1999 Intercontinental Cup was a football match played on 30 November 1999 between Manchester United, winners of the 1998–99 UEFA Champions League, and Palmeiras, winners of the 1999 Copa Libertadores...
- Winner: 1999
Newcastle United
- UEFA Intertoto CupUEFA Intertoto CupThe UEFA Intertoto Cup, also abbreviated as UI Cup and originally called the International Football Cup, was a summer football competition for European clubs that had not qualified for one of the two major UEFA competitions, the Champions League and the UEFA Cup. The competition was discontinued...
- Winner: 2006
- Football League ChampionshipFootball League ChampionshipThe Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
- Champions: 2009–102009–10 Football League ChampionshipThe Football League Championship season 2009–10 is the sixth season of the league under its current title and eighteenth season under its current league division format...
- Champions: 2009–10
South China
- Hong Kong League CupHong Kong League CupThe Hong Kong League Cup is an annual football competition contested by clubs in the Hong Kong First Division League. The cup was relaunched for the 2010-11 season after being discontinued in the 2009-10 season.-Format:...
- Winner: 2010-112010–11 Hong Kong League CupThe 2010–11 Hong Kong League Cup is the 10th edition of the Hong Kong League Cup. The competition is back after a one year absence, last played in 2008–09....
- Winner: 2010-11
International
England- 2004 FA Summer Tournament2004 FA Summer TournamentThe FA Summer Tournament was a minor international football competition, which took place in England in summer 2004.Host nation England, Japan and Iceland participated in the tournament, and matches took place at the City of Manchester Stadium, home of English club Manchester City.This three-nation...
: Winner - 1998 King Hassan II International Cup Tournament1998 King Hassan II International Cup TournamentThe King Hassan II International Cup Tournament was a minor international football competition, which took place in the spring of 1998 in Morocco....
: Runner-up
Individual
- PFA Premier League Team of the YearPFA Team of the YearThe Professional Footballers' Association Team of the Year is an annual award given to a set of 44 footballers in the top four tiers of English football; the Premier League, the Championship, League One and League Two, whom are seen to be deserving of being named in a "Team of the Year".The award...
: 1997–98
Personal life
In June 2003, Butt was arrested over allegations of the assault of a woman at Brasingamen's nightclub in Alderley EdgeAlderley Edge
Alderley Edge is a village and civil parish within the unitary authority of Cheshire East and the ceremonial county of Cheshire, England. According to the 2001 census the parish had a population of 4,409....
on 4 May 2003.