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3 weeks ago
21 October 2018
The club is delighted to announce Mike Butt has re-signed with the Lions for the 2019 season.
Swinton Lions are delighted to confirm pacy winger Mike Butt has re-signed with the club for the 2019 Championship campaign.
The 23-year-old was a double award-winner at the Player’s Presentation Evening, taking home ‘Try of the Year’ and the coveted ‘Man of Steel’ awards to cap off his fourth season for the Lions.
Butt, who was the club’s leading try-scorer in 2017, crossed the line 10 times in 27 games this season finishing just behind George Tyson as the top scorer.
“This club means a lot to me and I’m over the moon to re- sign for 2019,” Butt told swintonlionsrlfc.co.uk.
The rising star is also a huge fan favourite at Heywood Road and was voted in second position for Supporter’s Player of the Year, behind winner Rhodri Lloyd.
“The quality of teams joining the championship this year is going to make the challenge even harder and I can’t wait to get stuck in with Stu and the boys.
“The fans, Chairman and board have been class over past year or so and now it’s our job as a team to climb up that table to where we belong.”
MIKE BUTT’S 2018 TRY OF THE SEASON
Butt joined the club early in 2015 on trialist forms from Manchester Metropolitan University, but impressed immediately to earn his first professional contract.
Swinton Lions Head Coach Stuart Littler, who played with Butt in his breakout season, said: “I’m absolutely delighted to announce the re-signing of fans favourite Mike Butt.
“Mike is another player who has been attracting interest from elsewhere due to the levels of consistency in his performances. I am made up he has chosen to continue his development with us at Swinton.
“His dedication and commitment to the cause is second to none and if we had 17 Mike Butts we wouldn’t be lacking in any area of passion or desire. Next year will see Mike kick on to the next level and it is a battle to get all our backfield playing as consistent. Exciting times ahead.”
Lions’ Chairman Andy Mazey has now cemented four re-signings for the 2019 season, but outlined the importance of securing the signature: “This was a deal we simply had to get done and we had some serious competition for his signature. At our awards evening it was apparent if we didn’t already know that Butty is a player who is loved by our supporters and held in the highest regard by our staff, his teammates and also in the boardroom.
“Stuart is working very hard to improve the culture and guys like Butty will drive the standards as he epitomises sheer determination and a willingness to give everything and never say die attitude.
“We are looking for improvements on the park in 2019, so it’s key that we are retaining and rewarding a player who has not only performed week in, week out on the pitch, but also conducted himself as consummate professional off the pitch and is a great example to the younger players in the squad.
You can see Mike and the rest of the Lions with the new season ticket details now announced for 2019.
Mike Butt
Ryan Gray
Jack Hansen
Rhodri Lloyd