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Post by banksy on May 26, 2022 21:31:02 GMT
Good Evening It's with sadness that I type this tonight, but also with an aim of turning a real sad situation into a positive one for one of our former Chester players. You may or may not remember (depending on your age), one of our ex players called Barry Butler. Barry was the ultimate 'Utility position' player for the Blues, back in both the Sealand Road & Moss Rose days. He was a player everyone will no doubt have their own different memories of (and why not share them on here) and a player that never let his club down. My own memory was him thumping in a header against a strong Birmingham City side which was the last goal in a very fine 4-0 win at Sealand Road in front of the 'Road End'. It was the icing on the cake that night. Sadly, Barry is in a nursing home where he continues to suffer from Alzheimer’s, and has the same diagnosis as Jeff Astles, which was a football related brain injury. This does mean of course that his condition is at least partly if not wholly because of his football career.Now, here's where we can make a real downer of a situation turn into a really positive one.Barry is 60 years old on Saturday 4th June.A long time Chester fan has contacted me about this and has cleared it with Barry's family that it would be a really nice idea if fans could send in birthday cards to the club for Barry, and these will be picked up to be taken and placed by his bedside for his birthday with a planned visit from a selection for former players. Barry does have some very distant recall, and this gesture would mean so much to Barry and his family members. Let's make this happen DC'ers and please spread the word to fellow fans, and let's give 'Barry, Barry Butler (clap clap), Barry, Barry Butler (clap clap)', a real happy day a week on Saturday. Cards to be sent to the following address please:Barry Butler Chester FC Deva Stadium Bumpers Lane Chester CH1 4LT Thank you to Ian for getting in touch with me about the above, which as you can imagine makes hard reading for us older Blues..  |
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Post by whitey on May 26, 2022 22:35:51 GMT
That's such sad news Jeff, remember him very well and a card will be on it's way.
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Post by Forever Blue on May 27, 2022 0:35:21 GMT
Nice idea and i will semd one
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Post by Lobster on May 27, 2022 5:16:33 GMT
Sad news and a great idea. He left just before I started going but I will send a card. Remember that there's no post next Thursday or Friday so really this needs to be done by early next week.
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Post by Rimmer on May 27, 2022 6:52:21 GMT
Sad news indeed and so young really, watched him loads of times at Sealand Road, wish him well and will send a card, great idea Jeff
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Post by Deleted on May 27, 2022 7:02:38 GMT
Great Shame, Remember Barry Well , used to Enjoy watching him play, Card will be sent! Great Idea, Have also passed on info on Our Chester awayday Whatts App Group.
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Post by Al on May 27, 2022 10:22:24 GMT
Anyone got a good colour photo they can share of Barry in the Blue and White? Having a look online to put something together for him but there's a real lack of photos of the great man that I can see.
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Post by Frank Owen’s Paintbrush on May 27, 2022 10:33:49 GMT
There’s literally one on this thread. Unless you mean in playing action?
Sad to hear of this news, a few years before my time but he was held in high regard by those who saw him.
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Post by blockline on May 27, 2022 11:14:11 GMT
Awfully sad news,have good memories of Barry.A card is the least we can do for him in his hour of need.
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Post by blockline on May 27, 2022 11:15:44 GMT
Could you share your post to the club's Twitter and Facebook pages Jeff?
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Post by loskasleftfoot on May 27, 2022 11:19:14 GMT
I always remember Barry as the player who had surprisingly previously played for Ajax. The detail was included in the info pack sent to opposition teams to include in their programmes and regularly repeated without question.
A cracking whole-hearted player for us and so sad to read of his current situation. I hope that the PFA is helping him and his family.
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Post by Wortleyblue on May 27, 2022 12:00:07 GMT
This is really sad news Barry was a solid player never shirked a tackle or missed a header which sadly may be the reason for his current situation. Card will be sent
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Post by devaboyreturns on May 27, 2022 12:49:10 GMT
Card sent for Barry. Alzheimer's is absolutely dreadful and he is in my thoughts and I hope he has a great Birthday
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Post by Rio Doherty on May 27, 2022 17:46:58 GMT
Anyone got a good colour photo they can share of Barry in the Blue and White? Having a look online to put something together for him but there's a real lack of photos of the great man that I can see.  Just come across this photo of him scoring against Birmingham City. ![]() |
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Post by Al on May 28, 2022 7:26:19 GMT
Anyone got a good colour photo they can share of Barry in the Blue and White? Having a look online to put something together for him but there's a real lack of photos of the great man that I can see. Just come across this photo of him scoring against Birmingham City. ![]() Nice one. Card should be on its way today |
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Post by blockline on May 28, 2022 10:31:09 GMT
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Post by archwhopper on May 28, 2022 14:47:08 GMT
Played in every position as i remember , didn't matter where he was asked to play always gave 100 % and more, even in goal at bradford one tuesday night when billy stewert got sent off, my thoughts are with barry and his family
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Post by bluedave on May 28, 2022 20:07:20 GMT
I will put a card in the post tomorrow. Very sad to hear about Barry. He was a great player. He is one of our own.
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Post by RonD on May 29, 2022 12:41:38 GMT
Very sad to read of Barry's condition. Always put it 100% in on the pitch for us. A very shrewd Harry signing. Card duly posted.
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Post by Royal Blue on May 29, 2022 17:30:28 GMT
Such a shame. He was the type of player that gave his all every game. Birthday card is all ready to post in the morning. Happy Birthday Bazzer
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Post by Lobster on May 30, 2022 16:37:31 GMT
Thought this was worth a bump to say anyone who still wants to do this realistically needs to do it tomorrow at the latest due to there being no post on Thursday or Friday.
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Post by Royal Blue on May 31, 2022 17:27:00 GMT
Good little interview with Banksy on Radio Merseyside today about Baz - BBC Sounds Episode
Starts at 1:53 in.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 2, 2022 9:43:06 GMT
Very sad news. Thoughts are with his family.
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Post by banksy on Jun 5, 2022 22:00:04 GMT
Evening all, Just as a follow up to the initial post and after the visit made by ex players & management last Saturday to help Barry celebrate his 60th birthday at the Nursing Home that he currently resides in... Barry enjoyed a visit from ex teammates Stuart Rimmer, Gary Bennett, David Glenn and Graham Barrow, along with Ian Dutton who was the reserve team coach and chief scout under Harry McNally and when Graham Barrow took over at the helm. It's thanks to Ian that this whole positive story has happened. The feedback I've had is that Barry really enjoyed his day, with over 50 birthday cards full of memories and pictures read out to him to help rekindle those memories of his footballing days. Barry's family have been extremely overwhelmed by the amount of well wishes and special memories relayed to Barry, and have sent their thanks to everyone that sent a card in. More birthday cards have arrived since that visit and they will also be sent on to him. The memories shared by those visiting all included Barry in their stories, of which many included the late Harry McNally also - I think most of us have got a story they loved about old Harry. To put in to context how serious Barry's illness is, he hasn't spoken in the last 4 years which on it's own left me stunned - I can't imagine how difficult that is to deal with for his family, let alone anything else that comes with the brain injury related condition. It has been described as a 'locked in' type of syndrome. But to finish, a real positive day for Barry - I've seen videos of him actually with a ball at his feet with those visiting joining him for a small kickaround at his party. But the picture below is the one the family have said we can share, so take a bow everyone on making Barry's Birthday a great one for him and the Butler family.  Thanks, Jeff  |
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Post by blockline on Jun 6, 2022 15:39:55 GMT
Thanks for the update Jeff.Very sad to see Barry's condition but hopefully he was able to get something out of the day.
Good to see his former team mates rally round.Once a Blue,always a blue.
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Post by Forever Blue on Jun 8, 2022 0:40:14 GMT
It is such a little thing we have done and i hope it helps him remember his happy times, 60 is no age really and i wish him and his family all the best.
Stay strong Barry once a blue always a blue and looking at that pic you are still wearing the blue and white 😂😂👍👍it would be lovely if Barry could visit us at the Deva for a match 👍👍
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Post by Frank Owen’s Paintbrush on Jun 8, 2022 11:18:58 GMT
Good to see his former team-mates were able to help him with memories of his playing days.
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Post by Lobster on Jun 8, 2022 12:13:32 GMT
Alzheimer's is terrible, one of the most frightening things to contemplate happening to you. Just hope Barry can stay happy, keep his long-term recall and keep familiar faces around him.
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