Nicky Butt
 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Nicholas Butt | ||
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | ||
| Position(s) | Midfielder | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Newcastle United | ||
| Number | 22 | ||
| ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 19:53, 21 January 2007 (UTC) | |||
Nicholas "Nicky" Butt (born 21 January 1975 in Gorton, Manchester, England) is an English footballer who currently plays for Newcastle United. Butt is primarily a defensive midfielder, and a former England international. He is also a Manchester City fan.
Club career
He began his career at Manchester United as part of their Academy and was then later an important part of their youth team before turning professional in 1993. He became a regular player in the Manchester United first team from 1994-95 onwards. His opportunities were somewhat limited by the presence of Roy Keane and Paul Scholes, but nevertheless he collected many honours, including six Premiership titles, four FA Cups and one Champions League.
His first-team opportunities at Manchester United further restricted by a number of new midfield acquisitions, Butt handed in a transfer request in January 2004, but turned down a proposed move to Birmingham City during the January transfer window and stayed at United for the rest of the season. He was transferred to Newcastle United for £2 million in July 2004 to replace Gary Speed, who had moved to Bolton Wanderers
Butt had a disappointing, injury-marred 2004-05 season, prompting the then Newcastle manager Graeme Souness to sign Senegalese midfielder Amady Faye in January 2005. The acquisition of Scott Parker and Emre Belözoğlu in the summer of 2005 pushed Butt further down the pecking order, and his move to Birmingham City on a season-long loan was announced on 3 August.
However, on the February 13 2006, Butt walked out on his manager and former Manchester United team mate Steve Bruce, after finding out Bruce placed Alex Bruce, his son, in the squad instead of himself, and was later fined two weeks wages, £80,000 (€115,800 Euros). After Birmingham were relegated from the Premier League, Butt was returned to Newcastle.
Although not an instant fan favourite at St. James' Park, Butt won over some fans with two headed goals in a pre-season friendly against Villarreal CF.
He began the new season (2006/07) with a place in Newcastle United's starting 11, playing at home to Wigan, a match they won 2-1 after goals from Scott Parker and Shola Ameobi.
There was speculation Sunderland boss Roy Keane would try to resign his former Manchester United midfield partner but it seems unlikely Butt will leave now he is on form. Also, Newcastle have no other backup midfielders.
This season Nick Butt has been much more involved and played in the holding role which allows the likes of Scott Parker and Emre to attack. While Scott Parker was injured, Butt made a few man of the match displays while all the others were impressive. Butt's good form could have increased his opportunities for first team action.
On January 14 2007, Butt scored his first Newcastle goal in over 2 years when he scored the winner against Tottenham in a 3-2 win[1].
International career
He won his first England cap during the 1997-98 season and became a squad regular, providing reliable backup for the central midfield positions. An injury to first choice midfielder Steven Gerrard before the 2002 FIFA World Cup gave Butt his chance in the starting line-up alongside Manchester United teammates David Beckham and Paul Scholes. He was named "the best player in the tournament" by Brazilian legend Pelé,[2] a compliment to his performance in the unattractive holding role.
After the World Cup he returned to his role as a squad player, providing experienced cover for the first-choice midfield pairing of Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard. He was selected for the 2004 European Championships but missed the tournament through injury. His most recent international appearance was in a friendly against Spain on 17 November 2004. In total he has appeared 39 times for England.
Trivia
- Butt shares the same birthday (January 21) with former United teammate Phil Neville.
Honours
- Intercontinental Cup Winner 1999
- Champions League Winner 1999
- Premier Championship Winner 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003
- FA Cup Winner 1996 & 2004
- Intertoto Cup 2006
References
- ^ http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=206957&cc=4716
- ^ "Brazilian legend Pele tells the BBC's Clive Myrie that the man Brazil most fears is Nicky Butt" (video clip), BBC Sport, 20 June 2002, retrieved 2 December 2006
External links
- Nicky Butt at Soccerbase
- Profile at the FA website
