Tony Butler

Tony Butler (born 15 May 1935) is a retired Birmingham based UK sports broadcaster and was one of the first stars of local radio in Britain, known for a distinctive local accent and sometimes controversial style. In 2007, he was honoured by the Sony Radio Academy with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Early career

Tony Butler was born in Wolverhampton on 15 May 1935. He began his journalistic career in local papers in Birmingham before beginning to contribute to BBC national and regional radio in the 1960s. His strong regional accent caused problems at the staid BBC and he later recalled how he was encouraged to soften his natural accent. At one point the BBC even provided elocution lessons.

BRMB

In 1974, he was hired to be the first sports editor at Birmingham's new independent (i.e. non-BBC) radio station BRMB, one of a handful of commercial stations to launch at that time. With BRMB striving to offer something different from the established BBC radio stations, Butler was encouraged to act naturally on the air, emphasising rather than hiding his accent.

Tony Butler (footballer)

Philip Anthony "Tony" Butler (born 28 September 1972) is an English former footballer. A defender, he made 468 league appearances in a 15-year career in the Football League.

He began his career at Gillingham in 1991, helping the club to win promotion out of the Third Division in 1995–96. He was sold to Blackpool in August 1996 for £225,000, before he was moved on to Port Vale for a £115,000 fee in March 1999. He then joined West Bromwich Albion in March 2000 for £140,000, and helped the "Baggies" to promotion out of the First Division in 2001–02. Following this he was allowed to sign with Bristol City, and he helped his new side to the Football League Trophy in 2003. He returned to Blackpool in February 2005, before he signed with Conference club Forest Green Rovers in July 2006. He was loaned out to Newport County, before he joined Hinckley United in February 2007. He switched to Alfreton Town in November 2007.

Playing career

As a child Butler moved to Redcar with his family – his father was a bank manager – and attended Ryehills School. He started his professional career at Gillingham in 1991–92, who were then a Fourth Division under the management of Damien Richardson. They finished second-from-bottom in the Football League in 1992–93 under Glenn Roeder, avoiding relegation because they finished just four points ahead of Halifax Town. They finished 16th in 1993–94 under Mike Flanagan, before dropping to 19th in 1994–95. Butler played 42 games in 1995–96, as new boss Tony Pulis led the Priestfield Stadium club to promotion out of the Third Division (fourth tier) in second place. He made 179 appearances for the "Gills" in league and cup competitions, scoring seven goals.

Tony Butler (musician)

Anthony Earle Peter "Tony" Butler (born 13 February 1957) is an English musician and rock bassist, best known for his work with the Scottish rock band Big Country. He has also worked with On the Air, The Pretenders, Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend, among others.

Biography

Early life

Anthony Earle Peter Butler was born on 13 February 1957 in Shepherd's Bush, London, England.His parents are Ghanaian heritage.

Career

In 2007, to celebrate 25 years of Big Country, he reunited with founder members Bruce Watson and Mark Brzezicki to embark on a tour of the UK. He became lead vocalist for the first time, taking over from the deceased Stuart Adamson. Shortly before his reunion with Big Country, Tony played bass for Devon-based rock outfit, DOG alongside guitarist Tom Nordon.

As of 2011, Butler teaches courses in music at Petroc College and the Livewire Youth Music Project in Cornwall.

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