9. Martin Butler

By David Penniall
February 1 2007

9. Martin Butler

Former Saddler Martin Butler made a dramatic return to Bescot Stadium in July 2006 from Rotherham United, when the 32 year-old was allowed to leave Millmoor he decided to rejoin The Saddlers and signed a 2 year-deal.

 

Butler started his career at Walsall, where he came through the very successful youth rank, but he made his debut for The Saddlers in the 1993/94 season, however after failing to make a goalscorering start to life and Bescot and with The Saddlers’ faithful on his back he was allowed to join Cambridge United for £22 500 in the summer 1997.

 

After showing his talent and prospect at The Abby Stadium, where he scored 41 goals 104 appearances, Butler signed for Reading for £750 000 for his services in February 2000, wherehis fine goalscoring record continued and featured in the 2001 play-off final against The Saddlers.

 

After suffering serious damage to his ankle, he couldn't recapture the form for Reading that he'd shown before, and after floating in and out of the first team, he was sold to Rotherham United in a £150,000 deal in August 2003, and three years later he rejoinned his former club Walsall on free transfer in July 2006.