Butcher to Macclesfield. The Silkmen appointed Gary Simpson as manager, who had previously been Alexander's assistant at Lincoln and Peterborough. Butcher signed permanently with Macclesfield in July 2010 following his official release from Lincoln. On 20 May 2010 Butcher signed a two-year deal at Macclesfield Town. The final match of his career was on 3 January 2011 when Macclesfield were beaten 0–2 by Rotherham United. Death Butcher died aged 29 at his Swinton, Salford home on 9 January 2011. After Butcher had failed to turn up for training on Monday morning, club manager Gary Simpson found out after an investigation that Butcher's wife had been away and that he had died overnight. Butcher's death came less than a year after the death of Macclesfield manager Keith Alexander, who had also managed Butcher at both Lincoln City and Peterborough United. The next match for Macclesfield Town, an away game at Burton Albion originally scheduled for 15 January was then postponed in respect to Butcher and Macclesfield Town. Butcher's shirt number, 21, has been retired as a mark of respect. On 22 January 2011 at Macclesfield's next home game a minute's applause was heard before the game and 30 white doves released (to represent Butcher's 30th birthday as it would have been on the day). Family, friends and fans paid tribute to Butcher at Lincoln City's Sincil Bank stadium on Wednesday 2 February 2011, the service was attended by fellow footballers and close friends Simon Yeo, Ben Futcher, Paul Morgan and Alan Marriott as well as former Macclesfield teammates and Peterborough United director Barry Fry. A private service was held at Lincoln Crematorium service following the thanksgiving service at the stadium. A coroner's verdict delivered in June 2011 determined Butcher's death to have been caused by the heart condition cardiac arrhythmia. References External links Rushden & Diamonds F.C. Official Profile Lincoln City F.C. Official Archive Profile Profile at UpThePosh! The Peterborough United Database 1981 births 2011 deaths Footballers from Northampton Association football midfielders English footballers Northampton Town F.C. players Rushden & Diamonds F.C. players Kettering Town F.C. players Lincoln City F.C. players Oldham Athletic A.F.C. players Peterborough United F.C. players Notts County F.C. players Macclesfield Town F.C. players English Football League players