Dennis Butler

Dennis Anthony Butler (born 24 June 1944) is an English former professional football player and manager. He played as a winger for Bolton Wanderers between 1959 and 1968 before ending his playing career following five years at Rochdale. Later, when he worked as a coach and assistant manager, he spent an unsuccessful time as Port Vale manager between 1978 and 1979.

Playing career Dennis played for Leigh Grammar School and Atherton Schoolboys before joining Bolton Wanderers at 15 in 1959. He spent nine years with the club, racking up 65 appearances. Dennis made his debut under Bill Ridding in December 1963 at Aston Villa. The following week, he made a winning Burnden Park debut against the great Tottenham Hotspur side before scoring his first league goal at Arsenal in January 1964. At the end of the 1963–64 season, the "Trotters" were relegated out of the First Division. He was an ever-present until a bad cartilage injury in October 1964 kept him out of football for nearly a year. Butler made occasional appearances for Bolton before moving on to Rochdale in 1968, who won promotion out of the Fourth Division in 1968–69. 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.

Managerial career Following his retirement as a player, he coached at Rochdale and Bury. He was made assistant manager at Port Vale under Bobby Smith in November 1977.

Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals

1962–63 First Division

1963–64 First Division

1964–65 Second Division

1965–66 Second Division

1966–67 Second Division

1967–68 Second Division

65!!11!!2!!1!!2!!1!!69!!13

1967–68 Fourth Division

1968–69 Fourth Division

1969–70 Third Division

1970–71 Third Division

1971–72 Third Division

1972–73 Third Division

156!!36!!6!!1!!7!!2!!169!!39

221!!47!!8!!2!!9!!3!!238!!52

Managerial statistics + Managerial record by team and tenureTeamFromToRecordPort Vale 17 May 197830 August 1979Total

Honours Rochdale Football League Fourth Division third-place promotion: 1968–69