*Indicates unconfirmed information. Figures in brackets after English team names indicate all appearances made and goals scored in competitive matches for Football League clubs from 1888 onwards. For Scottish League clubs the figures show details of all competitive appearances and goals scored from 1946/47 onwards.
Dennis Butler
Appearances: 47 Goals: 1
Date / Year of birth: 7th March 1943
Position: Right-back
Season of first appearance: 1974/75
Season of last appearance: 1975/76
Also played for: Chelsea (18,0), Hull City (235+2,0) and Reading (185+2,0)
Stylish full-back who was born in Fulham and started his career at Chelsea. Dennis spent three years at Stamford Bridge and was a member of the sides that won the FA Youth Cup during both 1959/60 and 1960/61 before going on to make 18 first team appearances during the 1961/62 and 1962/63 seasons, 16 of them in the 1st Division.
In June 1963 Dennis joined Hull and he went on to make well over 200 senior appearances for the Tigers.
In December 1969 he was transferred to Reading and made a further 170 first team appearances there to take his overall professional tally past 400. Remarkably Dennis never managed to score for any of the three Football League clubs he played for.
In the summer of 1974 Dennis joined Margate and the club beat off a lot of competition to sign him. He made his debut on the opening day of the 1974/75 season in a 2-1 win at Guildford & Dorking, Dennis played at right-back and marked the occasion by being booked. He went on to make 43 appearances during the campaign and was an automatic choice when fit. However knee ligament damage put him out of action for a period. Dennis was praised by the local press for his "bite in the tackle" and "general expertise" during the season and he scored one goal - in a 2-2 draw with Gravesend & Northfleet at Hartsdown on 27.8.74.
Dennis appeared in four matches at the start of the 1975/76 season too but was then forced to leave the club. He changed his job and his new employers were reluctant to allow him time off for football and the travel required. As a result Margate agreed to cancel his contract.
Dennis later had a spell as manager of Port Vale between May 1978 and August 1979.
In January 2001 he was working as a painter & decorator in Tilehurst, Berkshire.
|
SEASON (CLUB) |
FULL (MAX) |
SUB |
GLS |
FAC |
FAT |
SLC |
KSC |
KMT | |
|
1974/75 (MFC) |
43 (66) |
0 |
1 |
SOUTHERN LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION (7TH OF 22) |
4QR |
2R |
RU |
2R |
GR |
| Played in Southern
League Cup Final 1st Leg (05.04.75 - lost 2-0 at home to Kettering
Town). Played in Southern League Cup Final 2nd Leg (12.04.75 - drew 1-1 at Kettering Town). | |||||||||
|
SEASON (CLUB) |
FULL (MAX) |
SUB |
GLS |
FAC |
FAT |
SLC |
KSC |
KFT | |
|
1975/76 (MFC) |
4 (65) |
0 |
0 |
SOUTHERN LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION (11TH OF 22) |
3QR |
2R |
1R |
SF |
W |