A memorial fund has been set up to commemorate former Lincoln City midfielder Richard Butcher, who died suddenly on Monday, January 10th aged just 29.
Butcher, whose final club was Macclesfield Town – where he was briefly reunited with former Imps manager Keith Alexander before his untimely death – amassed over 300 Football League appearances, including three spells at Sincil Bank, as well as stints at Oldham Athletic, Peterborough United and Notts County.
Donations made to the fund will be put towards permanent memorials to Butcher and Alexander at both Sincil Bank and Macclesfield’s Moss Rose. Additionally, family and friends of both Butcher and Alexander will be running the Lincoln 10k Road Race, which will take place on Sunday, April 3rd.
Simon Yeo will be just one of the combative midfielder’s former team mates taking part, and said that he was still coming to terms with the loss of two of his best friends in football.
The former City striker said: “It’s hugely tragic. This has all come together because we all [former members of Keith Alexander’s Lincoln City squad] had a little chat and we knew Butch did the run for Keith, so obviously we wanted to do something for Butch.
“So we decided to do the 10k run in Lincoln, and with all the proceeds we’ll get a memorial fund so we can get a statue or a bench at Lincoln and at Macclesfield.”
Yeo also expressed disappointment that some quarters of the media failed to pick up on Butcher’s contribution to lower league football.
He said: “It is a little bit disappointing because he was still playing, and it didn’t really get that much coverage. He did get a mention on Late Kick Off in Manchester and in the news, but nothing too significant, but I don’t think Butch will be bothered to be fair.”
Another former friend and team mate of Butcher’s is ex-Imps goalkeeper Alan Marriott, who added:
“In 2010 Richard ran the 10k in honour of Keith Alexander. Never would we have imagined that this year we would be running in memory of them both.
“It’s only fitting that we take this opportunity to raise funds which will enable us to create a fitting tribute for two highly respected professionals in football.”
Those wishing to donate to The Richard Butcher Memorial Fund may do so online at www.richardbutchermemorial.com.