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Christopher "Chris" Birchall[1] CM (born 5 May 1984 in Stafford) is an English-born Trinidadian footballer who currently plays in midfield for Major League Soccer side Los Angeles Galaxy. Forging his career with local club Port Vale, he earned worldwide recognition by playing at the 2006 FIFA World Cup for Trinidad and Tobago - the country of his mother's birth. His exploits lead to a move up the leagues to Coventry City later that year. After short loan spells with Scottish side St. Mirren and Carlisle United, he moved on to Brighton & Hove Albion. In 2009 he moved to the United States to sign with MLS giants Los Angeles Galaxy.
[edit] Early lifeStafford-born Christopher Birchall attended Alleyne's High School in Stone, Staffordshire.[2] [edit] Club careerBirchall started his career with Port Vale, having been associated with the Burslem based club since the age of nine. He made his debut under Brian Horton on 12 September 2001, replacing Neil Brisco 79 minutes into a 2-0 Second Round exit of the League Cup at Charlton Athletic's The Valley stadium. On 20 April 2002 he made his league debut, again replacing Brisco, this time in a 1-0 defeat by Brighton at Vale Park. He made two Second Division appearances in 2002–03, both away defeats. The teenager earned his first start on 18 October 2003, he was taken off at half-time for Ian Armstrong, as he watched his teammates lose 5-1 at home to Plymouth Argyle. He also played in both games of the club's First Round FA Cup struggle over minnows Ford United. In all he made thirteen appearances in 2003–04. It was throughout the 2004–05 campaign that Birchall showed his potential, scoring seven goals in 39 games. His first senior goal was a 76th minute winner against Swindon Town on 19 October.[3] He also scored a brace against Tranmere Rovers on 7 December in a 3-1 home win.[4] At the end of the season he was voted the Young Player of the Year. Birchall scored twice in 32 appearances in the 2005–06 season. However one of them, a 22nd minute winner over Bristol Rovers in the FA Cup, was enough to book the Vale a Third Round encounter with Doncaster Rovers,[5] which left the club one win away from a lucrative encounter with Aston Villa at Villa Park. In July 2006, with the World Cup still in progress, Martin Foyle denied reports that his young midfielder would be exiting Vale Park, specifically for Ipswich Town.[6] The next month Birchall was snapped up by Micky Adams' Coventry City for a fee of £300,000 (rising to £325,000 with bonuses), signing a three year deal with the Sky Blues.[7] He scored his first Sky Blues goal against Norwich City with a 20-yard (18 m) low drive.[8] He made 28 appearances in the second tier that season. In August 2007, Birchall signed with St Mirren on loan until January 2008.[9] However he returned to Coventry in early December, after suffering a hamstring injury.[10] He only played just two games for the Sky Blues following his return. Not a part of Chris Coleman's plans for 2008–09, John Ward of Carlisle United expressed an interest in August 2008,[11] and had admitted speaking to the player's agent.[12] He had also been linked with a return on loan to his former club, Port Vale.[13] In November, Birchall signed for Carlisle on loan until the end of the year,[14] having taken advice from teammate Keiren Westwood.[15] When returning to Coventry, he agreed to have his contract terminated by mutual consent.[16] The midfielder also opted not to return to Carlisle, after negotiations with an unnamed American club.[17] In January 2009, Birchall joined English League One side Brighton and Hove Albion on an initial week-trial with a view to earning a contract.[18] He later signed a contract until the end of the season,[19] teaming up with his old Coventry boss Micky Adams.[20] Three months later Brighton chairman Dick Knight blocked a move to Major League Soccer club Los Angeles Galaxy, telling Birchall he would not be allowed to leave the club on a free transfer.[21] Despite this setback, Birchall seemed set on a move to the American franchise.[22] He was freed from Brighton in May 2009 - along with thirteen other professionals.[23] Later that month Birchall agreed a four-year contract with the LA Galaxy.[24] He made his official MLS debut on July 16, 2009, replacing David Beckham 70 minutes into a game against the New York Red Bulls. During the off-season he returned to Vale Park for fitness training.[25] [edit] International careerAlthough born in England, Birchall has represented Trinidad and Tobago at international level. He is eligible for that country because his mother was born in Port of Spain.[26] Birchall's agent was spreading word around that he could in fact play for his mother's homeland. He was first made aware of the interest in him by Trini' international central defender Dennis Lawrence, who walked over to him during a Port Vale - Wrexham (Lawrence's club at the time) league match to enquire if he was indeed eligible to play for the Soca Warriors by saying "I hear you've got some 'Trini' blood in you?".[27] Lawrence then passed Birchall's contact details onto the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation, and Birchall was called up to the full Trinidad & Tobago squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Panama and Mexico, following a couple of friendlies against Bermuda. After making his debut for the national side, Birchall became the first white player to represent the country in sixty years.[28] The "Prince of Port-of-Spain", West Indies cricketer Brian Lara, was also credited for helping the TTFA hear about Birchall after Ashley Giles made a comment about having some West Indian blood in his family. When asked by the press in Trinidad and Tobago why he qualified to play for them he replied "Me mum". This memorable response gave rise to his Soca Warrior nickname, ‘Me Mum’.
Undoubtedly his most important contribution to the Soca Warriors came on 12 November 2005, in their home (first) leg of their 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifying play-off against Bahrain. Bahrain's Salman Ghuloom had scored in the 72nd minute and were poised to take a 1-0 lead back home for the second leg, but five minutes later, Birchall fired in a stunning goal from well outside the penalty area to equalise. The Soca Warriors went on to win the return leg of the play-off in Bahrain 1-0 (on a goal from Lawrence) and advance to their first ever World Cup finals. In the World Cup he played all three of the country's games; against Sweden, England and Paraguay. Playing against the likes of Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Wayne Rooney was a particularly special moment for the player who had spent his life living in England. Following their return from the 2006 World Cup, each member of the Trinidad and Tobago national team was awarded the country's second highest honour, the Chaconia Medal in gold, plus TT$1,000,000 (about £87,500 (one quarter in cash, the rest in unit trusts)). He is therefore entitled to suffix his name "C.M." if he wishes.[30] Soca Warrior fans have also penned a rap song in his honour.[31] [edit] Personal lifeIn 2006, Birchall and Stoke City star Andy Wilkinson invested £200,000 into Zenn Club, a nightclub in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent. However in July 2008 the club was closed due to debts. The club later re-opened under new management.[32] Birchall and his girlfriend, Lucy Mulroy, had their first child, Ashley Edward Birchall, on 28 April 2009. [edit] Statistics[edit] Club level
a. Football League Trophy results included in totals. [edit] International level
[edit] Honours[edit] Awards
[edit] Los Angeles Galaxy
[edit] See also
[edit] References
[edit] External links
Categories: 1984 births | Living people | People from Stafford | Football (soccer) midfielders | English footballers | English people of Trinidad and Tobago descent | Trinidad and Tobago footballers | Trinidad and Tobago international footballers | Port Vale F.C. players | Coventry City F.C. players | St. Mirren F.C. players | Carlisle United F.C. players | Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. players | Los Angeles Galaxy players | The Football League players | Scottish Premier League players | Major League Soccer players | 2006 FIFA World Cup players | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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