 He had a one-month trial at Second Division Port Vale in December 1922, and manager Joe Schofield signed him permanently for £100 the following month.Butler was a huge success in the 1922–23 season, becoming top scorer with nine goals in 26 games.At the end of the season he played in a defeat to local rivals Stoke in the North Staffordshire Infirmary Cup.He started 1923–24 by scoring in a defeat to Stoke at The Old Recreation Ground.