Thomas Butler (footballer)

For other people named Thomas Butler, see Thomas Butler (disambiguation).

Thomas Butler

Personal information
Full name	Thomas Butler
Date of birth	April 25, 1981 (1981-04-25)
Place of birth	Dublin, Ireland
Height	5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)
Playing position	Midfielder
Youth career
	Belvedere FC
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
1998–2004	Sunderland	31	(0)
2000	→ Darlington (loan)	8	(0)
2004–2005	Dunfermline Athletic	12	(0)
2005–2006	Hartlepool United	37	(2)
2006–2012	Swansea City	126	(9)
National team‡
2002	Republic of Ireland	2	(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 17:22, 20 January 2012 (UTC). † Appearances (Goals). ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 4 August 2008 (UTC)

Thomas Butler (born 25 April 1981 in Dublin) is a professional footballer who last played for Swansea City in the Premier League. He has played for the Republic of Ireland at under-21 and senior level.

Club career

Butler started his career at Sunderland, and as a youngster forged himself a reputation as one of the Republic of Ireland's brightest stars and he gained acclaim when he was named the Republic of Ireland's Under-15 Player of the Year in 1997. By the time he was 18, he travelled to South Africa to play in 1999 World Youth Cup for his country. Butler was then signed professional by Peter Reid for Sunderland.

Shortly after, Butler made his debut during Sunderland’s 3–2 win over Walsall during the 1999/2000 season after coming on as a substitute. Butler was on the verge of breaking into the first team and was successful for the reserves. This earned him a chance to make his first league appearance after once again coming on as a substitute against West Ham.

However the following season saw Butler struggling to make an impact and he was loaned to Darlington to gain match practice. For Darlington he made ten appearances but despite his popularity amongst the fans his loan move was not extended and Butler returned to Sunderland. The following seasons saw Butler make just 17 starts and 12 substitute appearances. Despite the lack of games, Butler was called up the Republic of Ireland team by Mick McCarthy and made his senior international debut in the 3–0 win against Finland.

Butler left Sunderland due to unspecified personal reasons, returning to Ireland and stating his intention to leave professional football. While Sunderland were initially sympathetic to his situation, he eventually threatened them with legal action for breach of contract.

Having reconsidered his future, Butler joined Dunfermline on trial, subsequently signing and making eight starts and six substitute appearances. However, he wasn’t offered an extended contract and was forced to look elsewhere.

In 2005, Butler then joined Hartlepool United on a short-term contract. He made his debut against Blackpool. Butler made an impressive start to his Hartlepool career and scored his first professional goal in the 3–0 win against Swindon. Butler then signed permanently for Hartlepool for 2005–06 season, but in the July 2006 signed for Swansea City following Hartlepool's relegation.

Butler scored twice and won a penalty in Swansea's 3–0 win over Premiership side Sheffield United in the 2006–07 FA Cup third round tie at Bramall Lane.

Swansea City manager Brendan Rodgers offered Butler (along with David Cotterill and Andrea Orlandi) to join Dutch side ADO Den Haag on loan as their first team is limited. Swansea City announced on the 20th January, 2012 that Butler has been released from his contract by mutual consent, he signed a one year contract in August 2011, but never made an appearance for Swansea in the Premier League.

Honours

As a player

Sunderland

• Nationwide Division One Title winner: 1998–99

Swansea City

• Coca-Cola League One Title winner: 2007–08

External links

• Butler's Official Swansea City profile
• Thomas Butler career stats at Soccerbase