From Portsmouth outcast to Kenny Jackett tormentor - Peterborough's resurgent left-back looms again

Another member of that side against York would also be departing Fratton Park that summer, albeit lacking in fanfare.

Dan Butler was an industrious left-back who reached 54 appearances after emerging through Academy ranks.

However, the managerless Blues opted to release the Isle of Wight youngster, a decision deemed inevitable and barely raising a murmur of protest.

The following month, Enda Stevens arrived with newly-appointed boss Paul Cook to fill that vacant full-back berth. His predecessor was quickly forgotten.

As for Butler, he would be offered a non-league lifeline with Torquay United.

It is testament to the character, determination and talent of the defender to bounce back from that Blues blow to establish himself as one of the best attacking left-backs in League One.

And didn’t Pompey last season feel the wrath of the player they rejected who is now set to line-up against them once more on Saturday at Fratton Park.

Following a season at Torquay, Newport County restored Butler to Football League status in June 2016.

He has now amassed 52 appearances and netted three times for promotion-challenging Peterborough after sealing a regular first-team spot.

That London Road association reunited Butler with Pompey on two occasions last season – and he totalled one goal, two assists and four points.

Featuring at left wing-back, he was an outstanding presence in both fixtures, unrecognisable from the youngster who departed in May 2015, such has been his admirable progress.

When aged 17 years, 11 months and 19 days, Butler was thrown into Michael Appleton’s patched-up side for the Capital One Cup fixture at Plymouth on the opening-day game of the 2012-13 season.

He was in good company, namely fellow Academy graduates Wallace, Sam Magri, Ashley Harris, Adam Webster, George Colson, Dan Thompson, Alex Grant and Andy Higgins.

Of that group, only Wallace, Webster and, of course, Butler remain in the Football League.

The footballer from Cowes was renowned for his tireless work ethic during his Pompey stay – and his game has clearly flourished in time away from the south coast.

He has started all of Peterborough’s League One fixtures so far this season, building on last term’s impressive maiden London Road campaign.

Now aged 26, Butler has remained in touch with Jack Whatmough, who he will be joint-best man to at the Pompey defender’s wedding, scheduled for the summer of 2021.

Following March’s 2-0 defeat of the Blues, in which he opened the scoring, he walked across to faces familiar among the visiting press pack to shake their hands and hold conversation.

Butler will never forget his Fratton Park roots – but it is his remarkable willpower and dedication which truly are responsible for this career resurgence.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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