Lee Butcher

Early career

Born in Waltham Forest, Butcher grew up in Chingford. He started his youth career with Norwich City as a schoolboy before joining Arsenal at the age of 10, and aged 15 he was voted the Goalkeeper of the Tournament at the Cannes Football Festival of 2004. He was released from Arsenal in May 2007 and had trials with Leeds United and Wycombe Wanderers. After playing a number of pre-season friendlies for Tottenham Hotspur reserves and under-18s he eventually signed for the club.

Club career

During the 2007–08 season, Butcher made 11 appearances for the Tottenham Hotspur reserve team. In January 2008, he was loaned out to Isthmian League Premier Division club AFC Wimbledon, making his debut against Maidstone United in their 2–1 win on 5 January. He went on to make a total of seven appearances in all competitions. In September 2008, Butcher joined Margate on loan where he made four appearances during September and October. He then joined Grays Athletic in late December 2008, but did not make an appearance for the first team. St Albans City signed Butcher on loan in March 2009, where he made six appearances in the Conference South. Butcher rejoined Grays toward the end of the 2008–09 season, and made his debut in the Conference National for Grays on 18 April in the 2–0 defeat at Altrincham. Butcher made three appearances for Grays before returning to Tottenham at the end of the season. In July 2009, Butcher signed another one-year contract with…