Thomas Anthony Butler (born 25 April 1981) is a former professional footballer who last played for Swansea City in the Premier League.
[9] Despite the lack of games, Butler was called up the Republic of Ireland team by Mick McCarthy and made his senior international debut in the 3–0 win against Finland in August 2002.
[13] Butler left Sunderland for unspecified personal reasons, returning to Ireland and stating his intention to leave professional football.
[21][22] In his first full season at Hartlepool United, Butler scored his first goal of the season when he "raced past two challenges to fire a shot which goalkeeper Mark Goodlad could only help into the net", as Harlepool United beat Port Vale 2–1 on 29 October 2005[23] Though he made twenty-eight appearances, the club were relegated to League Two after finishing twenty-first place.
[25] Butler made his debut for the club, in the opening game of the season, as Swansea City would lose Cheltenham Town 2–1.
[27] He then scored twice and won a penalty in Swansea's 3–0 win over Premiership side Sheffield United in the 2006–07 FA Cup third round tie at Bramall Lane.
[34] In 2008–09 season, Butler made thirty-two appearances in all competitions and scoring once against Southampton, as well as providing assist, which Swansea City won 3–0 on 25 October 2008.
[35] His 2008–09 season was disrupted with a hamstring injury[36] and despite not playing in the South Wales derby on 5 April 2009, Butler was sent-off after the final whistle when he was arguing with the official over the penalty decision to Cardiff City, allowing them to equalise.
[44] In January 2012, Rodgers offered Butler (along with David Cotterill and Andrea Orlandi) to join Dutch side ADO Den Haag on loan as their first team is limited.
Butler made his debut for the club in a 4–1 defeat to league leaders South Shields at Mariners Park, coming up against former Sunderland team-mate Julio Arca in the game.
After spending seven months searching for the club since being released, Butler call the end of his career, citing his persistent thigh injury.