Paul John Butler (né Roberts; (born 2 November 1972) is a former professional footballer where he played as a centre-back. Born in England, he played for Republic of Ireland. He was most recently a player at League Two side Chester City, where he also had spells as captain and assistant-manager. He has previously played in the Premier League for Sunderland and Wolverhampton Wanderers, and was also a former captain of Leeds United. Club career Butler was born, in Moston, Manchester and began his professional career at Rochdale in 1991 and remained with the club for five seasons before joining Bury. Here, he won promotion to the second flight in his first season. After one season in the second flight with Bury, he moved to Sunderland for £1 million and won the First Division championship in his first season. He featured through a full season in the Premier League in 1999–2000. However, he found himself often left out of Sunderland's first team during the following season. To gain playing time, First Division Wolves took him on loan in late 2000, a move made permanent by incoming manager Dave Jones for £1 million in January 2001. He was made club captain for the following season which saw the team mount an automatic promotion challenge, only to fall away in the final weeks into the play-offs, where they lost to Norwich. The next year saw Butler win a second promotion to the top flight though, as the club won the play-offs, beating Sheffield United 3–0 in the 2003 final. He remained with the club for their solitary season in the Premier League but could not agree terms of a new contract afterward and instead joined fellow-relegated side Leeds United in July 2004. He was a first choice centre-back during manager Kevin Blackwell's reign and was made captain shortly after signing. Leeds first season was one of consolidating, the following season The 2005–06 season saw the club almost regain their place in the top division but they lost the play-off final to Watford. After some poor performances, loss of fitness and the sacking of manager Kevin Blackwell, new manager Dennis Wise decided to strip Butler of the captaincy after a fall out, and he was told he was free to leave Elland Road on loan until January then on a free transfer. He duly moved on loan to League Two Milton Keynes Dons in