In a career that lasted from 1999 until his death in 2011, he notably spent three separate spells with Lincoln City, for whom he appeared in two play-off final defeats at the Millennium Stadium.
He was part of the squad for the final months of the 1999–2000 season and the 2000–2001 campaign, but failed to make an appearance for the Diamonds, and was released in the summer of 2001.
In October 2001 he signed for Southern League side Kettering Town who had suffered relegation in the previous season from the Conference National.
Butcher joined Football League Third Division Lincoln City which had recently recovered from a financial struggle that had nearly seen the club go out of business.
The 2004–2005 campaign saw The Imps qualify for a third successive Play-off spot and after dumping Macclesfield Town out in the semi-final, City were beaten 2–0 by Southend United.
August 2005 rang in a new era for Butcher when he joined Football League One side Oldham Athletic who were managed by Ronnie Moore.
During his time at Notts County, Butcher contributed 18 league goals which played a major role in the team's fight against relegation.
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.
[11] A coroner's verdict delivered in June 2011 determined Butcher's death to have been caused by the heart condition cardiac arrhythmia.