FORMER Wanderers goalkeeper coach Lee Butler has announced his retirement from football.

The 56-year-old worked for three years at Bolton as part of Phil Parkinson’s coaching staff, overseeing the likes of Ben Alnwick, Mark Howard, Remi Matthews, Jake Turner and Matt Alexander.

Butler had worked with Parkinson at Bradford City and moved with him to National League Wrexham, overseeing another former Bolton keeper in Rob Lainton and Christian Dibble this season.

Speaking of his time with the North Wales club, Butler said: “The supporters are some of the best I’ve known across my 40 years in football and I really enjoyed my time working at the club.

“Me and the keepers had a really good group; Rob is one of the best keepers in the league but suffered a series of unfortunate injuries.

“Dibbs has done great; he’s probably been seen as the number two for most of his Wrexham career, but he performed well when he came into the side.

“It wasn’t just the keepers, it was the whole squad; they’re a fantastic bunch of lads and I wish them all the best for next season.”

Butler’s service – and famously strong handshake – was even saluted by Wrexham owner, Ryan Renyolds.

The Hollywood actor tweeted: “Every time I came to Cae Ras I’d have to psych myself up for “the handshake”.

“Lee would walk up and literally pulverize my hand… and sure… I’d wince a bit. But I wouldn’t break eye contact and he could almost never tell that I was peeing.

“I’ll miss him. Almost as much as my right hand.”

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