Few footballers from the Isle of Wight have built the sort of Football League career Dan Butler has quietly put together. The Cowes-born defender has won promotion before and, after helping Stevenage reach the League One play-offs last season, heads into another campaign with expectations around the club higher than they have been for many years.
Missing out on promotion was a painful way to finish 2025/26. Alex Revell’s side were beaten 3-0 on aggregate by Stockport County in the semi-finals, but a place in the top six also represented one of the finest seasons in Stevenage’s history. Falling short will have hurt, but it also provided clear evidence of how far the club has come.
The only thing that matters now, though, is whether Stevenage can do it again.
Can Stevenage Go One Better?
The football betting market currently makes Stevenage a 10/1 chance for promotion, reflecting both the respect earned by last season’s run and the size of the task that lies ahead. League One rarely allows clubs to stand still, and backing up one successful campaign is often harder than producing the first.
Equally, coming so close can leave a squad with mixed emotions. Confidence grows from knowing you can compete at the top end of the division, but there is also the disappointment of wondering how much longer another opportunity might take to arrive. Keep in mind Stevenage have never played in the Championship in their history; this was akin to climbing Everest and turning back with the summit in sight.
Still, the strongest teams usually find a way of using that feeling as motivation rather than allowing it to linger.
IT’S MATCHDAY! 🔥
Carabao Cup action at Adams Park to get us up and running for 2026/27! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/ddaMxjDj43
Article continues below this advertisement — Stevenage FC 🔴⚪ (@StevenageFC) August 7, 2026
That is exactly what Revell has spoken about since the play-off defeat. His message has centred on learning from the experience and returning stronger, just as Stockport did after their own disappointment a year earlier.
Stability Could Be Stevenage’s Biggest Strength
One reason for optimism is that Stevenage have resisted making sweeping changes. Butler backed the club’s long-term vision by signing a new and improved contract ahead of last season. Twelve months later, after a campaign that ended one step short of the Championship, that commitment appears well placed. Rather than starting over, Stevenage enter the new season with many of the foundations of their best League One side still intact.
There has been fresh thinking behind the scenes as well, with Jack Mesure joining the coaching staff from Chelsea’s academy and Scott Cuthbert stepping into the assistant manager’s role. Rather than rebuilding from scratch, Stevenage have chosen to build on solid foundations.
Pre-season has offered further encouragement. Stevenage finished the summer with a controlled 1-0 victory over Colchester United.
A close defeat with 10 men. Well in, U’s 👊
1-0#ColU #StevenageFC pic.twitter.com/Q28Mg1rKg3
— Colchester United FC (@ColU_Official) August 1, 2026
Clean sheets became a familiar part of their success last season, and there was little to suggest that defensive resilience has disappeared over the summer.
Another Big Season Awaits Butler
Stevenage begin their League One campaign away to Burton Albion on 15 August knowing the division will be every bit as demanding as it was 12 months ago. Opponents will also have a far clearer idea of the threat Revell’s side pose after last season’s breakthrough.
For Butler, another promotion would rank among the biggest achievements of an impressive career that began on the Isle of Wight. Nothing will come easily between now and next May, but Stevenage have already shown they have what it takes to contend at the summit of the third tier. The next step is proving last season was not an isolated success but the foundation for another genuine challenge.
