The Butler did it: Andy is a Wembley omen

After all, it only continued a rather unusual personal record.

Every club but one that the 31-year-old defender has left during his career has proceeded to reach Wembley the following year.

It happened to Scunthorpe in 2009 and Huddersfield in 2011, when both clubs reached the League One play-off finals.

It even happened to Grimsby, where Butler spent the briefest of loan spells, when they reached the FA Trophy final in 2008.

And now it has happened to Walsall, the club for whom he did so much during three-and-a-half years.

Former skipper Butler couldn't be happier, saying: "I'm delighted for everyone. The players, the fans, the gaffer, Jon Whitney and Richard O'Kelly.

"They were brilliant to me while I was there. I couldn't make it to the second leg against Preston but I'm determined to be at Wembley for the final to cheer them on."

In a relationship which was built so much on mutual benefit and respect, it's unsurprising to hear Butler still has close ties to the Saddlers.

But, on Saturday, he will be out to deal their play-off hopes a blow and improve those of Doncaster, the club where he has finally found a permanent home after seven unexpectedly uncertain months.

Butler, who initially left Walsall and signed a two-year deal at Sheffield United last summer, said: "I still speak to (goalkeeper) Richard O'Donnell almost every day, we have become really close.

"But in football friendship goes out of the window for 90 minutes. You always want to do the best you can for your team.

"Whatever happens on Saturday I'm sure we'll still be close – though maybe one of us will be avoiding their phone on Sunday."

Butler's route to Doncaster since last June was anything but straightforward yet finally, having signed a two-and-a-half year deal last month, there is a sense of him being in the right place at his home-town club.

Many expected him to be a key figure in a Blades promotion push but he didn't make a league appearance during his stay at Bramall Lane.

It also included a month-long loan spell back at the Banks's, when he played in a 3-0 win over his current club.

That stint at the Saddlers was only ended in October by a last-minute change of heart from manager Dean Smith.

He opted to send Butler back to the Blades and instead bring in midfielder Michael Cain, a decision which has, in hindsight, benefited both parties, with the man on loan from Leicester City a big success.

Butler said: "We lost to Crewe which was my last game of the month and the gaffer called me on the Sunday to say they needed to go another way, as they had a number of defenders coming back to fitness.

"I completely understood, hopefully I helped Walsall during the time back there. As it turned out I went back to Sheffield United for a day and then Doncaster came in for me on loan.

"I'm really enjoying it here, the players have been brilliant with me and the manager too.

"It's right on my doorstep, I used to go and watch them a bit when I was a kid and you never expect to play for your hometown club.

"It's been surprising how many of my mates have started to get interested in my career now I'm playing for Donny."

Contentment off the pitch has found Butler back to near his best on it, with recent form recognised by a nomination for League One's January Player of the Month prize.

Doncaster have embarked on a seven-game unbeaten run to move three points outside the play-offs.

That still leaves them only in the heart of the pack chasing fifth and sixth positions which also includes the Saddlers.

Butler said: "I have never known a season like this, where so many clubs are still in with a shout. It's great for players as every game seems really important, at the moment.

"If you win you can be right up there whereas a defeat sends you back into the pack.

"With 20 games to go it is all to play for and it is about putting a run together.

"The manager has obviously spoke to me about Walsall, he knows I know their strengths and the areas where they are maybe not so strong.

"A lot of the lads hadn't realised I played against them for Walsall back in September. Obviously, I'm hoping for a different result this time around."