Jake Butler (footballer)
Jacob 'Jake' Butler (born 12 November 1984) is a New Zealand footballer who currently plays as a midfielder for National Premier Leagues Victoria club Brunswick City. He has also appeared for the New Zealand national football team. Butler was the captain of Waitakere United during its most successful period, winning the New Zealand national competition five times, including leading the team to four consecutive titles after taking over captaincy. Butler has played in seven editions of the OFC Champions League winning it twice, which also led to two appearances at the FIFA Club World Cup. Bulter is the leading appearance holder at Waitakere United, having played for the club since its first year of existence in 2004 until he left in 2019.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 12 November 1984 | ||
| Place of birth | New Zealand | ||
| Height | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) | ||
| Position(s) | Midfielder | ||
| Club information | |||
Current team | Werribee City FC | ||
| Number | 17 | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2002–2006 | Bay Olympic | 103 | (33) |
| 2008–2014 | Waitakere United | 180 | (27) |
| 2012–2019 | Waitakere City FC | 105 | (25) |
| 2014 | Tampines Rovers FC | 22 | (5) |
| 2015–2019 | Waitakere United | 60 | (14) |
| 2018-2019 | Werribee City FC | 41 | (20) |
| 2019–2020 | Hamilton Wanderers | 9 | (3) |
| National team‡ | |||
| 2013–2014 | New Zealand | 2 | (0) |
| Teams managed | |||
| 2015–2017 | Waitakere City FC | ||
|
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 23 November 2020 ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 23 January 2014 | |||
Career
On 2 June 2014, Butler joined Singaporean S-league team Tampines Rovers in the mid-season transfer window on a six-month contract. He scored his first goal for the club against Warriors FC in the Singapore League Cup. He went on to make 23 appearances scoring 4 goals, playing every minute of every scheduled match.[1]
In January 2015 Butler returned to play for Waitakere United, signing mid-season after his stint in Singapore. Butler helped the team finish fourth after being in seventh place at the Christmas break. He played every minute of the remaining 11 games.[1]
In April 2015 Butler signed a short-term deal with Team Wellington for the OFC Champions League tournament held in Fiji.[2] The side make the final, which they eventually lost, but Butler was injured in the semi-final and was unable to play in the game.
Mid season in May 2015, Butler agreed to take over as player–coach of Waitakere City who play in the NRFL Premier. This league runs in the winter instead of the summer like the New Zealand Football Championship. During his 2 seasons at the helm, Waitakere city won the league in 2016 and finished fourth respectively in 2017.
In July 2018 he joined NPL Victorian side Werribee City FC mid season playing every minute of the remaining 12 games and scoring 5 goals. Butler then accepted a 1-year deal with the team for 2019. He would go on to win both the clubs' player of the season and golden boot honours after 28 appearances and 15 goals.
Before the start of the start of the 2019–20 season, Butler returned to New Zealand to play in the New Zealand Football Championship for the Hamilton Wanderers.[3]
International career
Butler made his full All Whites debut in a 1–0 win over Saudi Arabia on 4 September 2013.[4]
Butler also played for New Zealand secondary schools team making 6 appearances scoring 4 goals.
Honours
References
- "Jake Butler Profile". Soccerway. Retrieved 23 November 2019.
- "Team Wellington make six signings ahead of Oceania Champions League". Stuff. 9 April 2015. Retrieved 23 November 2020.
- "Football: Hamilton Wanderers claim win over champions Eastern Suburbs". The New Zealand Herald. 11 November 2019. Archived from the original on 23 November 2020. Retrieved 23 November 2020.
- "A-International Lineups". The Ultimate New Zealand Soccer Website. Retrieved 19 September 2009.