Matt Butcher (footballer) explained

Matt Butcher
Full Name:Matthew David Butcher[1]
Birth Date:14 May 1997[2]
Birth Place:Portsmouth, England
Position:Midfielder
Currentclub:Wycombe Wanderers
Clubnumber:8
Youthyears1:2010–2015
Youthclubs1:AFC Bournemouth
Years1:2015–2020
Clubs1:AFC Bournemouth
Caps1:0
Goals1:0
Years2:2015
Clubs2:Gosport Borough (loan)
Caps2:1
Goals2:0
Years3:2015
Clubs3:Poole Town (loan)
Caps3:8
Goals3:0
Years4:2016
Clubs4:Woking (loan)
Caps4:10
Goals4:2
Years5:2016–2017
Clubs5:Yeovil Town (loan)
Caps5:34
Goals5:2
Years6:2020
Clubs6:St Johnstone (loan)
Caps6:6
Goals6:0
Years7:2020–2022
Clubs7:Accrington Stanley
Caps7:76
Goals7:6
Years8:2022–2024
Clubs8:Plymouth Argyle
Caps8:55
Goals8:3
Years9:2024–
Clubs9:Wycombe Wanderers
Caps9:10
Goals9:2
Club-Update:16 March 2024 (UTC)

Matthew David Butcher (born 14 May 1997) is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for club Wycombe Wanderers.

Club career

AFC Bournemouth

Since joining AFC Bournemouth in 2010 at the age of thirteen, Butcher has continued to surge through the under-18 and under-21 sides.[3] On 1 April 2015, he and three other Bournemouth youth prospects (including Joe Quigley, Jordan Lee and Jack Simpson) were offered a one-year professional contract.[4]

On 27 August 2015, Butcher made his Bournemouth debut featuring in a 4–0 victory over Hartlepool United in the League Cup, replacing Adam Smith in the 77th minute.[5] On 9 January 2016, he went on to make his first Bournemouth start in a 2–1 victory over Birmingham City in the FA Cup, playing the full 90 minutes.[6]

Non-league loan spells

On 5 February 2015, Butcher joined Conference South side Gosport Borough on a one-month loan on a work experience basis.[7] 2 days later, he made his Gosport Borough debut in a 2–1 defeat against Hemel Hempstead Town, playing the full 90 minutes.[8] On 7 March 2015, after only making one appearance for Gosport Borough, Butcher returned to Bournemouth.

On 26 March 2015, he joined non-league side Poole Town on loan for the remainder of the season.[9] On 4 April 2015, Butcher made his Poole Town debut in a 1–0 defeat to Chippenham Town, playing the full 90 minutes.[10] He went on to make seven more appearances before returning to Bournemouth.

On 26 February 2016, Butcher joined National League side Woking on a one-month loan deal.[11] On 27 February 2016, he made his Woking debut in a 2–0 defeat to Grimsby Town in the FA Trophy, playing the full 90 minutes.[12] On 26 March 2016, after impressing on loan at Woking, Butcher's loan spell was extended until the end of the season.[13] On 2 April 2016, Butcher scored his first professional goal in a 2–2 draw with Southport, in which he got both goals.[14]

Yeovil Town (loan)

On 5 August 2016, Butcher joined League Two side Yeovil Town on a six-month loan deal.[15] The following day, Butcher made his Yeovil Town debut in a 2–0 home victory against Notts County, replacing Kevin Dawson with six minutes remaining.[16] On 9 August 2016, Butcher was given his full Yeovil Town debut by manager Darren Way in a 2–0 away victory against Walsall in the EFL Cup first round.[17] On 5 January 2017, Butcher and his fellow Bournemouth loanee Ben Whitfield's loans were extended until the end of the season.[18]

St Johnstone (loan)

Butcher signed on for Scottish Premiership club St Johnstone on a six-month loan on 31 January 2020.[19]

Accrington Stanley

On 24 August 2020, Butcher signed for Accrington Stanley on a two-year deal.[20]

On 5 May 2022, Accrington Stanley announced Butcher would be leaving the club upon the expiration of his contract on 30 June 2022, with Stanley unable to agree improved terms with the player.[21]

Plymouth Argyle

On 20 June 2022, Plymouth Argyle announced on their website that Butcher would join on a two-year contract.[22]

On 31 January 2024 Butcher was released from his contract to allow him to pursue opportunities elsewhere.[23]

Wycombe Wanderers

On 31 January 2024 Butcher signed for EFL League One side Wycombe Wanderers.[24]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational CupLeague CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
AFC Bournemouth2014–15Championship00000000
2015–16Premier League00101020
2016–17Premier League00000000
2017–18Premier League00000000
2018–19Premier League00000000
2019–20Premier League00000000
Total0010100020
Gosport Borough (loan)2014–15Conference South10000010
Poole Town (loan)2014–15Southern Premier80001[25] 090
Woking (loan)2015–16National League102002[26] 0122
Yeovil Town (loan)2016–17League Two34210205[27] 0422
St Johnstone (loan)2019–20Scottish Premiership60100070
Accrington Stanley2020–21League One422101050492
2021–22League One344002000364
Total766103050856
Plymouth Argyle2022–23League One403101060483
2023–24Championship1501020180
Total553203060663
Career total19013609019022413

Honours

Plymouth Argyle

2022–23[28]

Wycombe Wanderers

Individual

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Updated squads for 2017/18 Premier League confirmed . Premier League . 2 February 2018 . 10 February 2018.
  2. Web site: Matt Butcher. 11v11.com . AFS Enterprises . 7 December 2020.
  3. News: AFC Bournemouth: Cherries youngster Matt Butcher seeks inspiration from Frank Lampard . Daily Echo . 27 August 2015.
  4. News: Bournemouth offer pro deals to four youngsters . Sky Sports . 1 April 2015.
  5. News: Hartlepool United 0–4 Bournemouth . BBC Sport . 27 August 2015.
  6. News: Birmingham City 1–2 Bournemouth . BBC Sport . 9 January 2016.
  7. News: AFC Bournemouth: Cherries youngster Matt Butcher makes Gosport loan move . Daily Echo . 5 February 2015.
  8. News: Hemel Hempstead Town v Gosport Borough . Soccerway . 7 February 2015.
  9. News: We have signed Matthew Butcher from @afcbournemouth on loan. . Poole Town F.C. (Facebook) . 26 March 2015.
  10. News: 04/04/15 – Chippenham Town 1 V 0 Poole Town . Poole Town F.C. . 4 April 2015.
  11. News: Woking sign Bournemouth's Matt Butcher on loan . BBC Sport . 26 February 2016.
  12. News: Grimsby Town 2–0 Woking . Grimsby Town F.C. . 27 February 2016.
  13. News: AFC Bournemouth: Matt Butcher extends Woking stay as emergency loan window slams shut . Daily Echo . 26 March 2016.
  14. News: Southport 2–2 Woking . BBC Sport . 2 April 2016.
  15. Web site: Yeovil Town: Bevis Mugabi, Tahvon Campbell & Matt Butcher arrive at Huish Park. 5 August 2016. www.bbc.co.uk/sport. BBC Sport. 5 August 2016.
  16. News: Yeovil Town 2–0 Notts County . BBC Sport . 6 August 2016 . 24 August 2016.
  17. News: Walsall 0–2 Yeovil Town . BBC Sport . 9 August 2016 . 24 August 2016.
  18. Web site: Yeovil Town: Bournemouth pair Ben Whitfield and Matt Butcher extend loan deals . BBC Sport . 5 January 2017 . 5 January 2017 .
  19. Web site: Butcher joins on-loan . St Johnstone FC . 31 January 2020 . 31 January 2020 .
  20. Web site: Butcher excited for this 'great opportunity' . Accrington Stanley FC . 24 August 2020 . 24 August 2020 .
  21. News: 5 May 2022 . UPDATE: Retained List . Accrington Stanley . 5 May 2022.
  22. Web site: Butcher Signs . Plymouth Argyle FC . 20 June 2022 . 20 June 2022.
  23. Web site: Matt Butcher Leaves Argyle Plymouth Argyle - PAFC . 2024-03-03 . www.pafc.co.uk . en.
  24. Web site: 2024-01-31 . Wycombe sign Butcher after Plymouth release . 2024-03-04 . BBC Sport . en-GB.
  25. Appearance in Southern Premier Play-offs
  26. One appearance in FA Trophy, one appearance in Surrey Senior Cup
  27. Appearances in EFL Trophy
  28. News: 7 May 2023 . Plymouth beat Port Vale to win League One title . BBC Sport . 4 August 2023.
  29. Web site: Pilnick . Brent . 2 April 2023 . Bolton crush Plymouth to win Papa Johns Trophy . 4 August 2023 . BBC Sport.
  30. News: Peterborough United 2–1 Wycombe Wanderers . Chris . Harby . BBC Sport . 7 April 2024 . 7 April 2024.
  31. Web site: End of Season Player Awards | Matt Butcher named Young Player of the Season . . 9 May 2014 .