Terry Butcher Biography: Terry Ian Butcher born 28 December 1958 is a former English footballer and manager. As a central defender, Butcher had a distinguished playing career, earning 77 caps for the England national team over a decade and participating in three FIFA World Cups. He also enjoyed notable success at the club level, particularly with Ipswich Town and Rangers. After retiring as a player, Butcher moved into management, taking charge of several clubs across England, Scotland, Australia, and Wales, and briefly managing the Philippines national team.
Terry Butcher Biography
Terry Butcher, born on December 28, 1958, in Singapore, is a former professional footballer and actor. He is best known for his roles in Englandneworder: World in Motion (1990), Pro Evolution Soccer (2001), and Super Ally (1991). As a footballer, Butcher earned 77 caps playing for the England national team between 1980 and 1990.
Terry Butcher Biography 2025 Details
| Full name | Terry Ian Butcher | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 28 December 1958 | ||
| Place of birth | Singapore | ||
| Height | 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Centre back, sweeper | ||
| Category | Football Biographies | ||
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About Terry Butcher
Terry Ian Butcher is an English football manager and former player. During his playing career as a defender, Butcher captained the England national team, winning 77 caps in a ten-year international career that featured three FIFA World Cups.
Terry Butcher Personal Life
Throughout his playing career, he featured for several clubs, most notably Ipswich Town and Rangers, and later took on player-manager roles at Coventry City and Sunderland. His birth in Singapore was due to his father’s service in the Royal Navy. As of 2004, he was serving as the manager of Scottish club Motherwell.
Terry Butcher Wiki
- Born: 28 December 1958 (age 66 years), Colony of Singapore
- Teams coached: Guangzhou City F.C. (Assistant Coach, since 2019) ·
- Spouse: Rita Butcher (m. 1980)
- Children: Christoper Butcher
- Position(s): Centre back, sweeper
- Height: 1.93 m
- Nationality: British, English, Singaporean
Early Life
Butcher was born in Singapore, where his father was serving in the Royal Navy. He grew up in Lowestoft, Suffolk, and attended Lowestoft Grammar School. Despite an offer to join the Norwich City youth setup, he declined, choosing instead to pursue his passion for Ipswich Town, the club he supported. He joined Ipswich in August 1976 following a successful three-week trial.
Club Career
Terry Butcher made his first-team debut for Ipswich Town on 15 April 1978 in a First Division match against Everton. Over the next eight seasons, he cemented his place as the club’s leading central defender, known for his strong leadership, aerial dominance, and fearless style of play. His performances caught the attention of England manager Ron Greenwood, who handed him his international debut in a 1980 friendly against Australia. Butcher was part of the Ipswich squad that won the UEFA Cup in 1981 under manager Bobby Robson.
That same season, the team came close to securing the league title, only to be narrowly beaten by Aston Villa. He was named Ipswich Town’s Player of the Year in both 1985 and 1986. However, the 1985–86 season ended in disappointment, as the club was relegated to the Second Division. Following Ipswich’s relegation in 1986, Butcher transferred to Scottish club Rangers, becoming one of the first high-profile English players to join during Graeme Souness’s managerial tenure.
International Career
Terry Butcher earned his first England cap under manager Ron Greenwood in a friendly against Australia on 31 May 1980 at the age of 21. His second appearance came ten months later in a 2–1 friendly loss to Spain. He was the youngest member of England’s back four at the 1982 FIFA World Cup in Spain and soon became a mainstay in the national team’s defense throughout the 1980s.
Butcher was a regular starter during the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, including the infamous quarter-final match against Argentina, where Diego Maradona scored what is often hailed as the “goal of the century” after dribbling past five England players—including Butcher. Butcher missed the 1988 UEFA European Championship due to a broken leg. His absence forced England to rely on the inexperienced defensive duo of Tony Adams and Mark Wright, and the team was eliminated in the group stage.
Personal Life
Terry Butcher married in 1980 and owns a home in Bawdsey, Suffolk. Both his parents and his wife Rita’s family still reside in Suffolk as well. The couple had three sons; their eldest, Christopher, served in the Royal Artillery and was deploy to Afghanistan. Tragically, Christopher passed away in October 2017 at the age of 35. In his memory, the Ipswich Cardinals American football team, where he was a friend and teammate, continues to honor him—a tradition Butcher occasionally attends.
Butcher is also related to football through family—he is a cousin of former Scottish international Pat Nevin. A heavy metal enthusiast, Butcher is a fan of Iron Maiden and has a close friendship with the band’s bassist and founding member, Steve Harris. Politically, he is known to support the Conservative Party.
Managerial Career
Terry Butcher departed Rangers on 15 November 1990 to take on the role of player-manager at Coventry City, succeeding John Sillett. At just under 32 years old, he became the youngest manager in the Football League at the time of his appointment. Coventry, who had enjoyed a high point with an FA Cup win in 1987 and a seventh-place league finish in 1989 under Sillett, had slipped into a relegation battle by the start of the 1990–91 season. Butcher was brought in to help reverse the club’s fortunes. He managed to guide Coventry to safety, finishing 16th that season.
By early 1992, the club sat in 13th place, but despite this, Butcher was dismissed on 6 January 1992. During his tenure, he made six league appearances before officially retiring as a player. Butcher returned to management with Sunderland and briefly re-registered as a player, although he did not feature in any matches. He helped the club avoid relegation at the end of the 1992–93 season, but a poor start to the following campaign led to his dismissal in December 1993.
Terry Butcher net worth 2025
As of 2025, Terry Butcher’s exact net worth is not publicly known. While his successful football career—with highlights including playing for England and clubs like Ipswich Town and Rangers—is well-documented, detailed financial information such as his personal net worth has not been widely disclosed. Although financial records for his business, Terry Butcher & Associates Limited, have been available in the past, they do not provide a clear picture of his individual wealth.
FAQs
What was Terry Butcher’s career?
During his playing career as a defender, Butcher captained the England national team, winning 77 caps in a ten-year international career that featured three FIFA World Cups. Butcher also enjoyed success in his club career, particularly with Ipswich Town and Rangers.
What is Terry Butcher doing now?
Ipswich Town and England football legend Terry Butcher has become patron of a not-for-profit company encouraging veterans to talk about their mental health over a cup of coffee. The 65-year-old, who appeared in three World Cups, has joined forces with Suffolk-based Combat2Coffee to support veterans and their families.
What was Terry Butcher’s blood injury?
Terry Butcher covered in blood following a head injury during a 1990 World Cup qualifier against Sweden. Terry lost close to a litre of blood and almost died but refuse to be substituted after a first-half clash of heads with Swedish striker Johnny Ekstrom.
What happened to Terry Butchers’ son?
Christopher Butcher died at his family’s home in Suffolk on 16 October, 2017, leaving his father “devastated”. The inquest into his death concluded he died of an abnormal enlargement of the heart, of uncertain cause, combined with the effect of drugs “against a background of PTSD”.
How did Terry Butcher injure his head?
During a crucial World Cup qualifier against Sweden, a first-half clash of heads with Johnny Ekstrom left Butcher with an open head wound.