Former Wales captain and much-loved rugby figure Eddie Butler has passed away at the age of 65. Check out his net worth and rugby career.
Eddie Butler : News | Obituary | Rugby | Net worth
Butler was born on 8 May 1957. He was educated at Monmouth School and Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge. Butler played as a number eight, gained Cambridge Blues in 1976, 1977 and 1978, and captained Wales on six occasions.
He captained Pontypool RFC side between 1982 and 1985, in succession to Jeff Squire. He was chosen for the Barbarians and the British Lions.
Butler presented the history series: Wales and the History of the World (BBC1 Wales), Hidden Histories (BBC2), Welsh Towns at War (BBC1) in 2014 and two series of Welsh Towns (BBC2 Wales) in 2015.
He was on the commentating team for the Invictus Games.
He also worked for the associated football assignments including a special interview with Eric Cantona for FA Cup Final edition of Grandstand in 1994.
Eddie butler news
Former Wales rugby union captain and legendary broadcaster and commentator Eddie Butler has died at the age of 65.
After rising to prominence with club side Pontypool, Butler played 16 times for Wales between 1980 and 1984, captaining the side on six occasions and scoring two tries.
The number eight was called up to the British and Irish Lions squad that toured New Zealand in 1983.
After retirement he became a respected rugby broadcaster.
Butler died in his sleep on a charity trek in Peru.
He was a pivotal part of the Pontypool side that was created by Ray Prosser and dominated Welsh club rugby in the late 1970s and early 1980s, captaining the side between 1982 and 1985.
Butler had also played for Cambridge University from 1976-1978 while studying French and Spanish at Fitzwilliam College.
Butler’s first cap came in Wales’ 18-9 Five Nations win against France in January, 1980.
He retired from international rugby in 1985 aged 27 and having worked as a teacher in Cheltenham for three years, Butler then joined Radio Wales as a press and publicity officer in 1984.
While still playing for his beloved Pontypool, Butler went on to work for a property development company.
Obituary
Reports state that Eddie will be buried soon.
Eddie Butler will go down in broadcasting folklore as the man who followed the toughest act in television sports commentary and took it to new heights.
That he succeeded against the odds by daring to specialise in a game long synonymous with Bill McLaren’s Scottish burr made the achievement all the greater and the colourful Welshman’s sudden death all the more shocking.
Typically, Butler did it by bucking the trend, aided and abetted by his mastery of the English language.
In an era when too many commentators talk too much, he spent his words as if they were £20 notes, invariably finding one to capture the moment when others would use 20.
Such economy made him a master of the less-is-more school, his skill as a wordsmith leading to the broader canvas of Olympiads and other international events far beyond Rugby.
Eddie butler rugby
Butler was a key part of the Pontypool side which dominated Welsh club rugby in the late 1970s and early 1980s, captaining the side between 1982-85.
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The imposing back-row forward made his Wales debut in the 18-9 victory over France in January 1980 and went on to win 16 caps between 1980-84.
After rugby, Butler had a stint as a teacher, then with a property development company before finding another niche in journalism, becoming a much-respected figure with the Guardian and Observer and joining up with the BBC.
He would excel for the broadcaster in commentary on rugby, but also added colour, wit and knowledge to other major sporting events, notably the Olympic coverage.
The Welsh Rugby Union chairman Rob Butcher insisted his country owed Butler a sizeable debt for his contribution to the sport. “For many, Eddie was the voice of Welsh rugby and he will be sorely missed by supporters around the globe as well as his friends throughout the game and here at the WRU,” said Butcher.
Net worth
At the time of his passing, Eddie Butler’s estimated net worth was $2 million.
| Net Worth 2022 | $2 Million |
| Salary | Unknown |
| Net Worth 2021 | Unknown |
Eddie Butler’s income source is mostly from being a successful Pitcher.