FORMER DONCASTER ROVERS MANAGER LANDS NEW JOB

Former Doncaster Rovers interim manager Andy Butler has landed a new job.

He returns to management at Scunthorpe United, replacing Jimmy Dean, who left the club in the wake of their National League North play-off defeat.

What have Scunthorpe United said?

A statement on Iron’s the club website, Andy Butler said: “It’s fantastic news for me, and I’m buzzing that Michelle and the Board have offered me this position.”

“It’s been a quick turnaround, and I want to wish Jimmy, Chris and Ant all the best in their future cheers because they’ve worked ever so hard this season. Onwards to the future, we look and bring in the people we think we can get promotion with, and to finish the job off that we’ve started.

“I’m going to grasp this with both hands, and I’m going to relish this challenge, because it will be a challenge.”

Replacing Jimmy Dean:

Jimmy Dean steered Scunthorpe through choppy waters this season, but saw his tram fall short in the play-offs against Lincolnshire rivals Boston United. In doing so, they missed out on their goal of being promoted into the National League.

Butler has a long association with the Iron, having came through their youth system at the start of his lengthy career. He spent the first six years of his career in North Lincolnshire, before moving further north to Huddersfield Town.

He was named as the Player of the Season by his club in 2004/05, while also achieving two promotions during his time at Scunthorpe.

The well-travelled centre-back held the position of First Team Coach before he stepped up in place of Jimmy Dean, Chris Plummer and Ant Coombe this week.

A former Doncaster Rovers captain and manager:

His new role will be the 40-year-old’s first experience of managing in non-league, having previously led then-SkyBet League One Doncaster in an interim role.

He took charge of 18 games after Darren Moore left the club for SkyBet Championship side Sheffield Wednesday in 2021. During his interim rein, he won four games, drew three and lost the other 11. It left him with a win rate of 22.2%.

Butler made more than 700 appearances across his lengthy playing career. Of which, 174 came for Scunthorpe. He also made north of 200 appearances for Doncaster, through various spells in South Yorkshire.

Balancing playing and coaching:

He was the Doncaster Rovers Bells manager for more than two years, from January 2022 to September 2022. However, his playing days continued.

Butler signed for a brief time at Boston United, before spending a season at Farsley Celtic, playing under another former Rovers centre-back, Russ Wilcox.

Just this season, the 40-year-old donned the number 40 and played in Scunthorpe’s three county cup games. This saw him net a goal against Gainsborough Trinity and captain his side to victory in the final, against Spalding United.

Now, Butler’s attention returns to management. Scunthorpe will remain in the National League North for the up-coming season, and will look to continue to re-build with a new manager at the helm.

2024-05-03T16:11:29Z dg43tfdfdgfd