# Matt Butcher (footballer)

Matthew David Butcher (born 14 May 1997) is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Bristol Rovers on loan from EFL League One club Wycombe Wanderers.

## Early life

Born in Portsmouth, Butcher grew up in Denmead and attended The Cowplain School in Waterlooville.

## Career
### AFC Bournemouth

Having undergone trials with both Portsmouth and Southampton, Butcher joined AFC Bournemouth in 2010 aged thirteen, progressing through the under-18 and under-21 sides. On 1 April 2015, he and three other Bournemouth youth prospects (including Joe Quigley, Jordan Lee and Jack Simpson) were offered a one-year professional contract.
On 27 August 2015, Butcher made his Bournemouth debut featuring in a 4–0 victory over Hartlepool United in the League Cup, replacing Adam Smith in the 77th minute. On 9 January 2016, he went on to make his first Bournemouth start in a 2–1 victory over Birmingham City in the FA Cup, playing the full 90 minutes.

#### Non-league loan spells

On 5 February 2015, Butcher joined Conference South side Gosport Borough on a one-month loan on a work experience basis. 2 days later, he made his Gosport Borough debut in a 2–1 defeat against Hemel Hempstead Town, playing the full 90 minutes. On 7 March 2015, after only making one appearance for Gosport Borough, Butcher returned to Bournemouth.
On 26 March 2015, he joined non-league side Poole Town on loan for the remainder of the season. On 4 April 2015, Butcher made his Poole Town debut in a 1–0 defeat to Chippenham Town, playing the full 90 minutes. He went on to make seven more appearances before returning to Bournemouth.
On 26 February 2016, Butcher joined National League side Woking on a one-month loan deal. On 27 February 2016, he made his Woking debut in a 2–0 defeat to Grimsby Town in the FA Trophy, playing the full 90 minutes. On 26 March 2016, after impressing on loan at Woking, Butcher's loan spell was extended until the end of the season. On 2 April 2016, Butcher scored his first professional goal in a 2–2 draw with Southport, in which he got both goals.

#### Yeovil Town (loan)

On 5 August 2016, Butcher joined League Two side Yeovil Town on a six-month loan deal. The following day, Butcher made his Yeovil Town debut in a 2–0 home victory against Notts County, replacing Kevin Dawson with six minutes remaining. On 9 August 2016, Butcher was given his full Yeovil Town debut by manager Darren Way in a 2–0 away victory against Walsall in the EFL Cup first round. On 5 January 2017, Butcher and his fellow Bournemouth loanee Ben Whitfield's loans were extended until the end of the season.

#### St Johnstone (loan)

Butcher signed on for Scottish Premiership club St Johnstone on a six-month loan on 31 January 2020.

### Accrington Stanley

On 24 August 2020, Butcher signed for Accrington Stanley on a two-year deal.
On 5 May 2022, Accrington Stanley announced Butcher would be leaving the club upon the expiration of his contract on 30 June 2022, with Stanley unable to agree improved terms with the player.

### Plymouth Argyle

On 20 June 2022, Plymouth Argyle announced on their website that Butcher would join on a two-year contract.
On 31 January 2024, Butcher was released from his contract to allow him to pursue opportunities elsewhere.

### Wycombe Wanderers

On 31 January 2024, Butcher signed for EFL League One side Wycombe Wanderers.
On 30 January 2025, Butcher joined fellow League One side Bristol Rovers on loan for the remainder of the season. On 2 February, he made his debut for the club, assisting the first goal in a 3–1 victory over Peterborough United.

## Career statistics

    As of match played 28 January 2025
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition :
| Club | Season | League | League | League | National cup | National cup | League cup | League cup | Other | Other | Total | Total |
| Club | Season | Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| AFC Bournemouth | 2014–15 | Championship | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 |
| AFC Bournemouth | 2015–16 | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 2 | 0 |
| AFC Bournemouth | 2016–17 | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 |
| AFC Bournemouth | 2017–18 | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 |
| AFC Bournemouth | 2018–19 | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 |
| AFC Bournemouth | 2019–20 | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 |
| AFC Bournemouth | Total | Total | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Gosport Borough (loan) | 2014–15 | Conference South | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Poole Town (loan) | 2014–15 | Southern Premier | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 1 | 0 | 9 | 0 |
| Woking (loan) | 2015–16 | National League | 10 | 2 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 2 | 0 | 12 | 2 |
| Yeovil Town (loan) | 2016–17 | League Two | 34 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 42 | 2 |
| St Johnstone (loan) | 2019–20 | Scottish Premiership | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 7 | 0 |
| Accrington Stanley | 2020–21 | League One | 42 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 49 | 2 |
| Accrington Stanley | 2021–22 | League One | 34 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 36 | 4 |
| Accrington Stanley | Total | Total | 76 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 85 | 6 |
| Plymouth Argyle | 2022–23 | League One | 40 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 48 | 3 |
| Plymouth Argyle | 2023–24 | Championship | 15 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 18 | 0 |
| Plymouth Argyle | Total | Total | 55 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 66 | 3 |
| Wycombe Wanderers | 2023–24 | League One | 18 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 20 | 4 |
| Wycombe Wanderers | 2024–25 | League One | 13 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 23 | 0 |
| Wycombe Wanderers | Total | Total | 31 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 43 | 4 |
| Bristol Rovers (loan) | 2024–25 | League One | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Career total | Career total | Career total | 221 | 16 | 9 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 25 | 1 | 267 | 17 |
* ↑ Appearance in Southern Premier Play-offs
* ↑ One appearance in FA Trophy, one appearance in Surrey Senior Cup
* 1 2 3 4 5 Appearances in EFL Trophy

## Honours

Plymouth Argyle
* EFL League One: 2022–23
* EFL Trophy runner-up: 2022–23
Wycombe Wanderers
* EFL Trophy runner-up: 2023–24
Individual
* AFC Bournemouth Young Player of the Season: 2013–14