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Jack Butler (footballer)
Encyclopedia
John Dennis "Jack" Butler (14 August 1894 – 5 January 1961) was an English footballer.
(in what is now Sri Lanka
) to English parents, Butler moved back to Britain as a child. He played for Dartford
and Fulham Thursday as a youth, before signing for Fulham
in 1913 and moving to Arsenal
in 1914. He played in the Gunners' reserve side in his first season, before World War I
intervened. Butler duly signed up for the Royal Artillery
and served in France during the war, and returned to Arsenal after the end of hostilities. By then he had come of age, and with the resumption of first-class football, he soon made his first-team debut for the Gunners, against Bolton Wanderers
on 15 November 1919.
A tall, elegant and clean player, Butler initially played as a traditional "centre half" — i.e. as a central, deep-lying midfielder
; he was in competition with the Gunner's regular centre halves, Chris Buckley
and Alex Graham, but by 1924-25
, he was the undisputed first-choice centre half, playing in all but three games of the club's League campaign that season. He also won his first and only cap for England
, against Belgium on 8 December 1924.
Butler continued to be a near ever-present for the next four seasons, playing in every match of the Gunners' FA Cup
run in 1927
, where they reached the final but lost 1–0 to Cardiff City
. By now, Arsenal had taken advantage of a relaxation in the offside law and had changed formation
, from the traditional 2–3–5 to the new "WM"; the centre half now played in defence with the full backs as a "stopper". Although Butler had some success in the role, Arsenal's manager Herbert Chapman
thought the side could do better, and in 1929–30 replaced Butler with Herbie Roberts
.
Butler left Arsenal in the summer of 1930. In all he played 296 matches for the Gunners, scoring eight goals. He joined Torquay United
, and stayed there for two seasons before becoming a coach at Belgian club Royal Daring
, and was coach of the Belgian national side at the 1938 FIFA World Cup
. He later had a spell as a trainer at Leicester City
, and went on to manage Torquay United (1946–1947), Crystal Palace
(1947–1949) and Colchester United
(1953–1955).
He died in 1961, at the age of 66.
Football career
Born in ColomboColombo
Colombo is the largest city of Sri Lanka. It is located on the west coast of the island and adjacent to Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte, the capital of Sri Lanka. Colombo is often referred to as the capital of the country, since Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte is a satellite city of Colombo...
(in what is now Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
) to English parents, Butler moved back to Britain as a child. He played for Dartford
Dartford F.C.
Dartford F.C. are an English football club based in Dartford, Kent. After finishing as champions of the Isthmian League Division One North in the 2007–08 season, they compete in the Isthmian League Premier Division. They finished in 8th position in their first season...
and Fulham Thursday as a youth, before signing for Fulham
Fulham F.C.
Fulham Football Club is a professional English Premier League club based in southwest London Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Founded in 1879, they play in the Premier League, their 11th current season...
in 1913 and moving to 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 1914. He played in the Gunners' reserve side in his first season, before World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
intervened. Butler duly signed up for the Royal Artillery
Royal Artillery
The Royal Regiment of Artillery, commonly referred to as the Royal Artillery , is the artillery arm of the British Army. Despite its name, it comprises a number of regiments.-History:...
and served in France during the war, and returned to Arsenal after the end of hostilities. By then he had come of age, and with the resumption of first-class football, he soon made his first-team debut for the Gunners, against 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....
on 15 November 1919.
A tall, elegant and clean player, Butler initially played as a traditional "centre half" — i.e. as a central, deep-lying midfielder
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
; he was in competition with the Gunner's regular centre halves, Chris Buckley
Chris Buckley (footballer)
Christopher Sebastian "Chris" Buckley was a football player in the early years of professional football in England, who played at centre half for a variety of clubs including Aston Villa and Arsenal, before later returning to Villa as director and chairman...
and Alex Graham, but by 1924-25
1924-25 in English football
The 1924–25 season was the 50th season of competitive football in England.-Honours:Notes = Number in parentheses is the times that club has won that honour...
, he was the undisputed first-choice centre half, playing in all but three games of the club's League campaign that season. He also won his first and only cap for 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...
, against Belgium on 8 December 1924.
Butler continued to be a near ever-present for the next four seasons, playing in every match of the Gunners' 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...
run in 1927
FA Cup Final 1927
The 1927 FA Cup Final was won by Cardiff City, who beat Arsenal 1–0. It is most remembered for Arsenal goalkeeper Dan Lewis's mistake which led to the only goal of the game. It was also the first ever Cup Final to be broadcast by BBC Radio...
, where they reached the final but lost 1–0 to Cardiff City
Cardiff City F.C.
Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for...
. By now, Arsenal had taken advantage of a relaxation in the offside law and had changed formation
Formation (football)
In association football, the formation describes how the players in a team are positioned on the pitch. Different formations can be used depending on whether a team wishes to play more attacking or defensive football....
, from the traditional 2–3–5 to the new "WM"; the centre half now played in defence with the full backs as a "stopper". Although Butler had some success in the role, Arsenal's manager Herbert Chapman
Herbert Chapman
Herbert Chapman was an English association football player and manager. Though he had an undistinguished playing career, he went on to become one of the most successful and influential managers in early 20th century English football, before his sudden death in 1934.As a player, Chapman played for...
thought the side could do better, and in 1929–30 replaced Butler with Herbie Roberts
Herbie Roberts
Herbert "Herbie" Roberts was an English football player.-Playing career:Born in Oswestry, Shropshire, Roberts first played as an amateur for his local club Oswestry Town, whilst working as a policeman. A tall, but quiet and unassuming right half, he was signed by Herbert Chapman's Arsenal in...
.
Butler left Arsenal in the summer of 1930. In all he played 296 matches for the Gunners, scoring eight goals. He joined Torquay United
Torquay United F.C.
Torquay United Football Club, nicknamed the Gulls, are an English association football club based in the tourist resort town of Torquay, Devon. They played in the Conference National in 2008–09, but were promoted to Football League Two after a 2–0 win over Cambridge United on 17 May 2009 at Wembley...
, and stayed there for two seasons before becoming a coach at Belgian club Royal Daring
R. Daring Club Molenbeek
Royal Daring Club Molenbeek was a football team from the city of Brussels, Belgium until 1973. It was created in 1895 as Daring Club de Bruxelles and was the second club to register to the Belgian Football Association , but it was admitted to the league only in 1903.-History:Until 1899, the team...
, and was coach of the Belgian national side at the 1938 FIFA World Cup
1938 FIFA World Cup
The 1938 FIFA World Cup was the third staging of the World Cup, and was held in France from 4 June to 19 June. Italy retained the championship, beating Hungary 4–2 in the final.-Host selection:...
. He later had a spell as a trainer at Leicester City
Leicester City F.C.
Leicester City Football Club , also known as The Foxes, is an English professional football club based at the King Power Stadium in Leicester...
, and went on to manage Torquay United (1946–1947), Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace F.C.
Crystal Palace Football Club are an English Football league club based in South Norwood, London. The team plays its home matches at Selhurst Park, where they have been based since 1924. The club currently competes in the second tier of English Football, The Championship.Crystal Palace was formed in...
(1947–1949) and Colchester United
Colchester United F.C.
Colchester United Football Club is an English football club based in Colchester. The club was formed in 1937, and briefly shared their old Layer Road home with now defunct side Colchester Town who had previously used the ground from 1910....
(1953–1955).
He died in 1961, at the age of 66.