Barry Butlin was born in Rosliston in 1949 and started out with his local side, Derby County, in 1967. He remained with the club until 1972, spending two successful loan spells at Notts County, he then signed for Luton Town.
After two years with Luton he signed for Nottingham Forest in 1974, then after three years and two spells out on loan (one of which was with Brighton & Hove Albion in 1975) he signed for Peterborough United. He spent two years with Peterborough before signing for Sheffield United After two seasons with the Blades, Barry retired.