John Butler (rugby league)

John Butler
Personal information
Born (1949-11-01) 1 November 1949
St. Helens, Lancashire, England
Playing information
Position Centre, Stand-off, Loose forward

Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
Keighley
1973–75 Rochdale Hornets
1975–79 Salford 135 50 0 0 150
1979–81 Wigan 55 18 0 0 54
1981–84 St. Helens 47 9 0 0 28
Total 237 77 0 0 232
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
Lancashire
Source: [1][2][3][4]

John Butler (born 1 November 1949) is an English former professional rugby league footballer. Born in St. Helens, Butler began his career at Keighley, and went on to play for Rochdale Hornets, Salford, Wigan, and St. Helens. He also represented Lancashire.

Career

Butler started his rugby league career with Keighley, where he played as a loose forward. In April 1973, he was signed by Rochdale Hornets for a fee of £1,000.[5] Under the guidance of coach Frank Myler, he was converted into a stand-off,[6] and his impressive performances earned him a place on the 1974 Great Britain Lions tour of Australia and New Zealand after being named as a replacement for Keith Fielding.[7]

In February 1974, he played for Rochdale in the final of the 1973–74 League Cup against Warrington. He was substituted at half time after suffering a hip injury,[8] and Rochdale went on to lose the game 16–27.

In March 1975, he was signed by Salford for a fee of £15,000.[2] He also went on to play for Wigan, and St. Helens.

References

  1. ↑ "John Butler". Rugby League Project. Shawn Dollin, Andrew Ferguson and Bill Bates. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
  2. 1 2 Service, Alex. "Johnny Butler". Saints Heritage Society. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
  3. ↑ Platt, Darrell (1991). A History of Salford Rugby League Club. Salford Rugby League Club.
  4. ↑ "John Butler". cherryandwhite.co.uk. RLFANS.com. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
  5. ↑ "Sport In Brief: Hart in control at City". The Guardian. London. 4 Apr 1973. p. 23.
  6. ↑ Cotter, Garrett (20 January 1974). "First time out". The Observer. London. p. 19.
  7. ↑ Mather, Harold (13 March 1974). "Leeds are let down by backs". The Guardian. London. p. 21.
  8. ↑ Mather, Harold (11 February 1974). "Muddy mastery by Warrington". The Guardian. London. p. 25.
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