Philip Anthony Butler (born 28 September 1972) is an English former footballer. A defender, he made 468 league appearances in a 15-year career in the English Football League.

He began his career at Gillingham in 1991, helping the club to win promotion out of the Third Division in 1995–96. He was sold to Blackpool in August 1996 for £225,000 before he was moved on to Port Vale for a £115,000 fee in March 1999. He then joined West Bromwich Albion in March 2000 for £140,000, and helped the "Baggies" to promotion out of the First Division in 2001–02. Following this, he was allowed to sign with Bristol City, and he helped his new side to the Football League Trophy in 2003. He returned to Blackpool in February 2005, before he signed with Conference club Forest Green Rovers in July 2006. He was loaned out to Newport County before he joined Hinckley United in February 2007. He switched to Alfreton Town in November 2007.

Career Gillingham As a child, Butler moved to Redcar with his family – his father was a bank manager – and attended Ryehills School. He started his professional career at Gillingham in 1991–92, who were then a Fourth Division under the management of Damien Richardson. They finished second-from-bottom in the English Football League in 1992–93 under Glenn Roeder, avoiding relegation because they finished just four points ahead of Halifax Town. They finished 16th in 1993–94 under Mike Flanagan, before dropping to 19th in 1994–95. Butler played 42 games in 1995–96, as new boss Tony Pulis led the Priestfield Stadium club to promotion out of the Third Division (fourth tier) in second place. He made 179 appearances for the "Gills" in league and cup competitions, scoring seven goals.

Blackpool Butler was sold to Blackpool in August 1996 for £225,000. He played 46 games in 1996–97 under Gary Megson, as the Bloomfield Road club finished one place and four points behind Crewe Alexandra in the Second Division play-off zone. New boss Nigel Worthington played him 43 times in 1997–98, as the "Seasiders" slipped to 12th. He made 23 appearances in 1998–99, with Blackpool on the way to another mid-table finish.

Port Vale and West Brom He signed for Port Vale for a £115,000 fee in March 1999. He played just four games, as Brian Horton's "Valiants" managed to retain their First Division status despite a poor start to 1998–99. He featured 15 times in 1999–2000, before he left Vale Park for league rivals West Bromwich Albion in March 2000 for a £140,000 fee, as one of four deadline-day signings made by manager Gary Megson. Butler featured seven times for the "Baggies" in 1999–2000, as Megson steered the club away from the relegation zone – whilst Port Vale went down. He made 51 appearances in 2000–01, as Albion reached the play-offs, only to be defeated by Bolton Wanderers at the semi-final stage. It was in this season that he scored his only goal for the club, in a 2–1 loss to Birmingham City. He featured 23 times as the club won promotion as runners-up in 2001–02, finishing ten points behind champions Manchester City. He featured in the "Battle of Bramall Lane" on 16 March 2002, replacing Lárus Sigurðsson (the only "Baggies" player to have been booked) 14 minutes before the match was abandoned. With the club now in the Premier League, he found himself surplus to requirements at The Hawthorns and was loaned out to Bristol City, for whom he subsequently signed permanently.

Bristol City and return to Blackpool He played for City in the final of the Football League Trophy at the Millennium Stadium, as the "Robins" beat Carlisle United 2–0. They also reached the play-offs in 2002–03, but were beaten by Cardiff City at the semi-final stage; Butler played 51 games throughout the campaign. He played 46 games in 2003–04, including the play-off final at the Millennium Stadium, where Danny Wilson's men were beaten 1–0 by Brighton & Hove Albion. He played 27 games under new boss Brian Tinnion in 2004–05, before leaving Ashton Gate for former club Blackpool on a free transfer in February 2005. They finished the season 16th in League One under Colin Hendry. Butler played 26 games in 2005–06, as Blackpool avoided relegation by just two places and three points, and was released by manager Simon Grayson. He scored once for Blackpool, his goal coming in a 4–2 win over Doncaster Rovers.

Later career Butler joined Gary Owers' Forest Green Rovers in July 2006. During the 2006–07 season he was loaned out to Conference South side Newport County. In February 2007, Butler joined Hinckley United of the Conference North. He was released by Hinckley in November 2007, and subsequently signed for league rivals Alfreton Town. nonleaguedaily.com

Career statistics

+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition. Retrieved 11 May 2016.ClubSeasonLeagueFA CupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsGillingham1990–91Fourth Division600000601991–92Fourth Division500030801992–93Third Division41050405001993–94Third Division27130303311994–95Third Division33230404021995–96Third Division3622041423Total14851301811796Blackpool1996–97Second Division42010514811997–98Second Division37020404301998–99Second Division2000000200Total99030911111Port Vale1998–99First Division400000401998–99First Division15000001501999–2000First Division00000000Total1900000190West Bromwich Albion1999–2000First Division700000702000–01First Division44110605112001–02First Division1901030230Total7012090811Bristol City2002–03Second Division381301005112003–04Second Division38110704612004–05League One2222030272Total984602001244Blackpool2004–05League One800000802005–06League One2410020261Total3210020341Forest Green Rovers2006–07Conference Premier92000092Career total4751324058255715

Honours Gillingham Football League Third Division second-place promotion: 1995–96

West Bromwich Albion Football League First Division second-place promotion: 2001–02

Bristol City Football League Trophy: 2002–03

References