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Stephen A. Buttle (1 January 1953 – 5 June 2012) was an English professional footballer who played as a midfielder. He spent six seasons in England, six in the North American Soccer League and at least three in the Major Indoor Soccer League.
In 1977, Buttle signed with the Seattle Sounders of the North American Soccer League. In the summer of 1981, he rejected an overture from Norwich City to sign him in order to remain with the Sounders. Seattle's Stevie "Wonder" Rejects Boyhood Dream - Sounders Win Over Norwich Ironically, the Sounders released him in 1982. By then he had already spent at least one season with the Pittsburgh Spirit in the Major Indoor Soccer League. During the 1979–80 MISL season, he scored 35 goals in 28 games. Buttle injured his knee at the beginning of the 1984–85 season. He spent most of the season on injured reserve. On 9 January 1985, the Pittsburgh Spirit hired Buttle as an assistant coach to replace Mickey Cave, the previous assistant who had died in November 1984. In October 1985, the Spirit released Buttle. Optimism still leads league Evening Tribune (San Diego, CA) - Thursday, 24 October 1985 In September 1986, the Tacoma Stars hired Buttle as an assistant coach. The Stars fired Buttle, along with head coach Alan Hinton, on 22 February 1988. TACOMA STARS FIRE THEIR COACH Chicago Tribune - Tuesday, 23 February 1988 The Stars were sold to new ownership following the season. The new owners rehired Hinton as head coach and in August 1988 brought Buttle back in as assistant. STARS NAME WATKINS GM, WILL ATTEMPT TO SIGN PREKI THE SEATTLE TIMES - Tuesday, 23 August 1988 Hinton and Buttle lasted until December 1989 when they were fired permanently. STARS FIRE HINTON THE SEATTLE TIMES - Tuesday, 5 December 1989
Buttle died on 5 June 2012 at his home in Norwich, England after a long battle with cancer. 6 June 2012 Seattle Times
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