Fans Show Respect At Richard Butcher Memorial
Image courtesy of www.flickr.com/people/blogdroed
Sincil Bank yesterday celebrated the life of former Imps favourite Richard Butcher. Fans, former team-mates and family all gathered to remember the life of a man who made more than 100 appearances for Lincoln city, over two permanent spells, and a brief loan spell.
Butcher died in his sleep at his home in Manchester on January 10th, at the age of just 29, with undoubtedly years still left on his playing career, followed by the planned career of physiotherapy that he aspired to take up after his retirement.
He enjoyed spells with many clubs around the football league, with his stints at Sincil Bank accompanied by time at Notts County, Macclesfield Town, Northampton town and Oldham Athletic amongst others.
Despite his career at a number of different clubs, he still made more appearances for the Imps than any other club, cementing his part as cult hero on the terraces at Lincoln City.
Players such as Alan Marriott and Simon Yeo, who were part of the side that Butcher help lead to the play off’s between 2002 and 2005. Having died in his sleep a little over three weeks ago, it is the second tragedy to strike both Lincoln City and his previous club Macclesfield Town.
Former Lincoln City manager Keith Alexander also died suddenly whilst in charge of Macclesfield in 2010, less than a month after he brought his former player Butcher to Moss Rose stadium.
Former Imps team-mate Ben Futcher held back tears as he told the crowd about the man he referred to as ‘Butch – One of my best friends.’
Other speakers included former Lincoln captain Paul Morgan and Peterborough chairman Barry Fry.
Macclesfield Town have also announced that they while retire Butcher’s number 21 shirt as a mark of respect.