Primarily operating as a midfielder, Butler also had spells playing in defence and attack, and even took over in goal after regular goalkeeper Billy Stewart was sent off against Bradford City in October 1990.
A former window cleaner, Butler was snapped up by Chester from Atherton Laburnum Rovers in December 1985, one of several occasions that manager Harry McNally would sign an unknown non-league player and successfully use him as a regular in the side.
Butler made his Football League debut in a 1–0 derby victory over Tranmere Rovers in January 1986 at the relatively late age of 23.
He was largely a regular for most of the rest of the season, which ended in promotion from Football League Division Four.
In October 1989, Butler scored a belated first goal for Chester in a 4–0 thrashing of Birmingham City, in his 119th appearance for the club.