Lee Butcher was with Norwich City as a schoolboy but joined Arsenal aged 10 when Roy Massey transferred from the Canaries to the Gunners. This cut down the travelling time for the young goalkeeper from Chingford whose school backed on to Arsenal's Hale End training ground.

Aged 15, he was voted the Goalkeeper of the Tournament at the Cannes Football Festival of 2004, playing against Ajax, Real Madrid and Montpelier. After playing for Arsenal's Under-18s, he was released in May 2007 and trialled with Leeds United and Wycombe Wanderers. He then played in a number of reserves / Under-18 friendlies for Tottenham during the 2007 close season.

Lee was loaned by Spurs, having therefore joined them, to AFC WImbledon in January 2008

In September 2008, Lee was loaned out to Margate. In January 2009, he was loaned to Grays Athletic. He ended the season on loan to St Albans who have expressed an interest in signing him permanenty.

Lee was loaned again to Conference side Grays Athletic on 1st September 2009. In mid October 2009, he joined Leyton Orient on loan, providing cover for the injured Jamie Jones.

After Butchers' release by Spurs at the end of the 2009/10 season, he signed for Orient.in May 2010

Butcher was told in May 2013 that his contract would not be renewed by Orient when it expired at the end of June 2013. He joined Conference side Welling in July 2013 after regular custodian Sam Mott was injured.