Chris Birchall

Chris Birchall

Birchall training for the Galaxy (October 2011).
Personal information
Full name Christopher Birchall[1]
Date of birth (1984-05-05) 5 May 1984[1]
Place of birth Stafford, England[1]
Height 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)[1]
Playing position Midfielder
Youth career
1993–2001 Port Vale
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2001–2006 Port Vale 78 (7)
2006–2009 Coventry City 29 (2)
2007 → St Mirren (loan) 9 (0)
2008 → Carlisle United (loan) 2 (0)
2009 Brighton & Hove Albion 9 (0)
2009–2011 Los Angeles Galaxy 66 (1)
2012 Columbus Crew 18 (1)
2013–2016 Port Vale 75 (7)
2016–2017 Kidsgrove Athletic (4)
Total 286 (22)
National team
2005–2013 Trinidad and Tobago 43 (4)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only.

Christopher Birchall CM (born 5 May 1984) is a former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. He scored 21 goals in 322 league and cup appearances in a 16-year professional career, and scored four goals in 43 international matches.

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 led 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 club Los Angeles Galaxy. Whilst with the Galaxy, the club were crowned Major League Soccer Western Conference champions in 2009 and 2011, and also captured a Supporters' Shield and MLS Cup double in 2011. He joined Columbus Crew for a six-month spell in May 2012. He rejoined Port Vale in January 2013, and helped the club to secure promotion out of League Two in 2012–13. He dropped into non-league in September 2016 by joining Kidsgrove Athletic.

Club career

Port Vale

Birchall attended Alleyne's High School in Stone, Staffordshire,[2] and 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.

"I came up through the ranks at Port Vale from the age of 8 until I left the club at 22. I owe all the coaching to them, they nurtured me and really looked after me and had confidence in me."
— Birchall in an interview with socawarriors.net in July 2010.[3]

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.[4] He also scored a brace against Tranmere Rovers on 7 December in a 3–1 home win.[5] At the end of the season he was voted the Young Player of the Year.[6] 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,[7] which left the club one win away from a lucrative encounter with Aston Villa at Villa Park.

Coventry City

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.[8] 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".[9] He scored his first "Sky Blues" goal against Norwich City with a 20-yard (18 m) low drive.[10] He made 28 appearances in the second tier that season.

In August 2007, Birchall signed with St Mirren on loan until January 2008.[11] However, he returned to Coventry in early December, after suffering a hamstring injury.[12] 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,[13] and had admitted speaking to the player's agent.[14] He had also been linked with a return on loan to his former club, Port Vale.[15] In November, Birchall signed for Carlisle on loan until the end of the year,[16] having taken advice from teammate Keiren Westwood.[17] When returning to Coventry, he agreed to have his contract terminated by mutual consent.[18] The midfielder also opted not to return to Carlisle, after negotiations with an unnamed American club.[19]

Brighton & Hove Albion

In January 2009, Birchall joined League One side Brighton & Hove Albion on an initial week-trial with a view to earning a contract.[20] He later signed a contract until the end of the season,[21] teaming up with his old Coventry boss Micky Adams.[22] 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.[23] Despite this setback, Birchall seemed set on a move to the American franchise.[24] He was freed from Brighton in May 2009 – along with thirteen other professionals.[25] Later that month Birchall agreed a four-year contract with the LA Galaxy.[26]

Los Angeles Galaxy

He made his official MLS debut on 16 July 2009, replacing David Beckham as a substitute 70 minutes into a game against the New York Red Bulls. He played a further eight games for Bruce Arena's side in 2009, as Galaxy topped the Conference, only to lose the MLS Cup final after a penalty shootout defeat to Real Salt Lake. Birchall started the game, but was substituted on the 79th minute for Chris Klein. He made 25 appearances in 2010, helping his team to again top the Western Conference table. He then played in the Conference Finals, where Galaxy were defeated by FC Dallas. He also played in the CONCACAF Champions League, as Galaxy were knocked out at the preliminary stage after capitulating to the Puerto Rico Islanders at The Home Depot Center.

Birchall scored his first MLS season goal against Toronto FC on 11 June 2011 in the second minute of the game; he was assisted by Miguel Pedro López. During the off-season he returned to Vale Park for fitness training.[27] He did not rule out a return to Port Vale in the future, though admitted that he was enjoying himself in LA, having made friends with Landon Donovan, David Beckham and Robbie Williams.[28] Galaxy won a treble in 2011, being crowned Supporters' Shield and Conference champions, as well as MLS Cup winners. Birchall came off the bench in the cup final, replacing Adam Cristman on 57 minutes, as Galaxy beat Houston Dynamo 1–0 thanks to a Landon Donovan goal.[29]

On 23 January 2012, Arena stated that "There hasn’t been a decision made on him [Birchall]. Originally he wanted go back to England, so we obviously agreed to that and didn't renew his option. He was looking to explore opportunities in England. Perhaps he'll want to come back."[30] He then returned to Burslem to train with Port Vale, and also raised the possibility of playing for the cash-stricken club for free whilst he weighed up his options elsewhere;[31] he said he intended to do this as he owed his career to both the club and to the manager, Micky Adams.[32] Adams said that he was hopeful of bringing Birchall back to Vale Park but said that "I smiled to myself when I saw he was playing for free, because you don't get anything for free in football."[33] Birchall was due to sign a month-to-month contract with the club in February 2012,[34] having turned out in a reserve team game.[35] However, the club were hit with a transfer embargo by the Football League before any contract was signed.[36] At the end of March, he was reported to have signed with Northwich Victoria of the Northern Premier League Premier Division, who were managed by Martin Foyle, his former manager at Vale;[37] however Birchall denied the story on his Twitter account.

Columbus Crew

He elected to stay in the MLS in May 2012, after signing an unspecified "multi-year contract" with the Columbus Crew.[38] Columbus Crew community fan-site Massive Report stated that "Birchall's performances were notable for their high energy, but consistent lack of polish as he tended to cede possession quite a bit" and also reported that the player was "unhappy with his lack of playing time during a September stretch where he didn't see the field for three straight games".[39] Head coach Robert Warzycha elected to decline his contract option in December 2012.[40]

Return to Port Vale

On 3 January 2013, after a month of training at Vale Park, Birchall signed a contract at former club Port Vale lasting until the end of the 2012–13 season.[41] As well representing a return to his first club, it was also the third time that he would be signed by manager Micky Adams.[42] He scored his first goal of his second spell on 5 April with a 25-yard shot in a 7–1 win over promotion rivals Burton Albion.[43] Vale were promoted at the end of the season, and Birchall agreed to a new one-year contract in the summer.[44]

Birchall remained an important first team player during the 2013–14 season, and made 17 starts and 15 substitute appearances as the club posted a ninth-place finish in League One.[45] He signed a new one-year contract in the summer.[46]

He started the 2014–15 season on the right side of midfield, after impressing in pre-season training.[47] He ended the campaign with three goals in 30 appearances and signed a new one-year contract in June 2015.[48] However Birchall was not happy with the contract, claiming he turned down better offers to stay at the club and that his loyalty was being taken advantage of.[49]

After some impressive performances for the Reserves he made his first start of the 2015–16 season on 3 October, taking the place of Byron Moore as manager Rob Page felt he needed a more defensive minded player to combat Southend United's attacking left-back Ben Coker.[50] He remained in first team contention until picking up a knee injury just before the new year; the injury required surgery and ruled him out of action for six weeks.[51]

Non-league

Having left Port Vale at the end of the 2015–16 season, Birchall had a trial at Northampton Town in July 2016, who were managed by former Vale boss Rob Page.[52] Two months later he signed with Northern Premier League Division One South side Kidsgrove Athletic.[53] He scored four goals before he left the club in January 2017 after losing his first team place; manager Ryan Austin said that "I understand that and we have parted on good terms".[54][55]

International career

Although 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.[56]

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 Trinidad & Tobago international central defender Dennis Lawrence, who walked over to him during a game between Port Vale and Wrexham (Lawrence's club at the time). Lawrence enquired if he was indeed eligible to play for the "Soca Warriors" by saying "I hear you've got some 'Trini' blood in you?".[57] 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, it was widely reported that Birchall was the first white player to represent the country in sixty years.[58] However current Trinidad coach Stephen Hart is white and represented Trinidad & Tobago in 1980. 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’.

"At the time he joined the team he was the odd guy out but we all welcome him with open arms and he's been very much a key player to our team. He's come in and done a fantastic job and has become an influential player.
— Fellow countryman Dwight Yorke on Birchall.[59]

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 Isa 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. Along with goalkeeper Shaka Hislop, Birchall was the only member of the World Cup squad to have been born in England, with the remaining members all having been born and raised in Trinidad and Tobago.

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.[60] "Soca Warrior" fans have also penned a rap song in his honour.[61]

He fell out of the first team picture in November 2011, before earning a recall under new boss Hutson Charles in March 2013.[62] However, he considered his retirement from the international scene in July 2013, having featured on the bench in the CONCACAF Gold Cup.[63]

"Never did I think I would be accepted in the manner I was, the support I have received over the years has been phenomenal and I think it was made easier due to my fighting spirit and hard attitude on the pitch. It is hard to call it a day but if I have left just one historic memory with the fans then I have achieved much more than I ever dreamed imaginable with the team. I have always tried to give 100 per cent on the pitch, give my all for the nation whenever called upon and wear the shirt with pride as I knew how many people would die for my opportunity."
— Birchall announced his retirement from international football in August 2013.[64]

Personal life

In 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.[65] In July 2007, it was reported that Birchall had been dating media personality Jodie Marsh for a brief time.[66] His partner, Lucy Mulroy, gave birth to a son, Ashley Edward Birchall, on 28 April 2009. Birchall attended Staffordshire University, and graduated with a degree in Professional Sports Writing & Broadcasting in 2016.[49]

Statistics

Club level

Club Season Division League FA Cup
U.S. Open Cup		 League Cup Other Total
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Port Vale2001–02[67]Second Division1000100020
2002–03[68]Second Division2000000020
2003–04[69]Second Division100300000130
2004–05[70]League One34620102[lower-alpha 1]1[lower-alpha 1]397
2005–06[71]League One311311000352
Total 787813021919
St Mirren (loan)2007–08[72]SPL9000000090
Carlisle United (loan)2008–09[73]League One2000000020
Coventry City2006–07[74]Championship282101000302
2007–08[72]Championship1010100030
2008–09[73]Championship0000000000
Total 292202000332
Brighton & Hove Albion2008–09[73]League One9000001[lower-alpha 1]0100
Los Angeles Galaxy2009[75]Major League Soccer11000––00110
2010[76][77][78]Major League Soccer28010––1[lower-alpha 2]0300
2011[79][80][81]Major League Soccer27110––4[lower-alpha 2]0321
Total 66120––50731
Columbus Crew2012[82]Major League Soccer18110––00191
Port Vale2012–13[83]League Two111000000111
2013–14[84]League One27131002[lower-alpha 1]0322
2014–15[85]League One27310101[lower-alpha 1]0303
2015–16[86]League One10210001[lower-alpha 1]0122
Total 757511040858
Career total[lower-alpha 3] 286181826012132221
  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Appearance/s and goal/s in the Football League Trophy.
  2. 1 2 Appearance/s in the CONCACAF Champions League.
  3. ↑ Statistics for Kidsgrove Athletic not recorded.

International level

Trinidad and Tobago's goal tally first.

International appearances and goals
# Date Venue Opponent Result Competition Goal
2005
01 (00) 25 May Hasely Crawford Stadium, Port of Spain  Bermuda 4–0 Friendly 0
02 (00) 27 May Manny Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella  Bermuda 1–0 Friendly 0
03 (00) 4 June Hasely Crawford Stadium, Port of Spain  Panama 2–0 2006 World Cup Qualifier 0
04 (00) 8 June Estadio Universitario, Monterrey  Mexico 0–2 2006 World Cup Qualifier 0
05 (01) 6 July Orange Bowl, Miami, Florida  Honduras 1–1 2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup 1
06 (01) 9 July Orange Bowl, Miami, Florida  Panama 2–2 2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup 0
07 (01) 11 July Orange Bowl, Miami, Florida  Colombia 0–2 2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup 0
08 (01) 17 August Rentschler Field, Hartford, Connecticut  United States 0–1 2006 World Cup Qualifier 0
09 (01) 3 September Hasely Crawford Stadium, Port of Spain  Guatemala 3–2 2006 World Cup Qualifier 0
10 (01) 7 September Estadio Ricardo Saprissa Aymá, San José  Costa Rica 0–2 2006 World Cup Qualifier 0
11 (01) 8 October Estadio Rommel Fernández, Panama City  Panama 1–0 2006 World Cup Qualifier 0
12 (01) 12 October Hasely Crawford Stadium, Port of Spain  Mexico 2–1 2006 World Cup Qualifier 0
13 (02) 12 November Hasely Crawford Stadium, Port of Spain  Bahrain 1–1 2006 World Cup Qualifier 1
14 (02) 16 November Bahrain National Stadium, Riffa  Bahrain 1–0 2006 World Cup Qualifier 0
2006
15 (02) 28 February Loftus Road, London  Iceland 2–0 Friendly 0
16 (02) 10 May Hasely Crawford Stadium, Port of Spain  Peru 1–1 Friendly 0
17 (02) 27 May UPC-Arena, Graz  Wales 1–2 Friendly 0
18 (03) 31 May Arena Petrol, Celje  Slovenia 1–3 Friendly 1
19 (03) 3 June Generali Arena, Prague  Czech Republic 0–3 Friendly 0
20 (03) 10 June Westfalenstadion, Dortmund  Sweden 0–0 2006 World Cup 0
21 (03) 15 June Frankenstadion, Nuremberg  England 0–2 2006 World Cup 0
22 (03) 20 June Fritz-Walter-Stadion, Kaiserslautern  Paraguay 0–2 2006 World Cup 0
23 (04) 7 October Hasely Crawford Stadium, Port of Spain  Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 5–0 Friendly 1
24 (04) 11 October Hasely Crawford Stadium, Port of Spain  Panama 2–1 Friendly 0
25 (04) 15 November Ernst-Happel-Stadion, Vienna  Austria 1–4 Friendly 0
2008
26 (04) 30 July Marvin Lee Stadium, Tunapuna  Haiti 2–0 Friendly 0
27 (04) 20 August Estadio Pedro Marrero, Havana  Cuba 3–1 2010 World Cup Qualifier 0
28 (04) 8 October Hasely Crawford Stadium, Port of Spain  Dominican Republic 9–0 Friendly 0
29 (04) 11 October Estadio Mateo Flores, Guatemala City  Guatemala 0–0 2010 World Cup Qualifier 0
30 (04) 15 October Hasely Crawford Stadium, Port of Spain  United States 2–1 2010 World Cup Qualifier 0
31 (04) 19 November Hasely Crawford Stadium, Port of Spain  Cuba 3–0 2010 World Cup Qualifier 0
2009
32 (04) 11 February Estadio Cuscatlán, San Salvador  El Salvador 2–2 2010 World Cup Qualifier 0
33 (04) 1 April LP Field, Nashville, Tennessee  United States 0–3 2010 World Cup Qualifier 0
34 (04) 6 June Dwight Yorke Stadium, Bacolet  Costa Rica 2–3 2010 World Cup Qualifier 0
35 (04) 10 June Estadio Azteca, Mexico City  Mexico 1–2 2010 World Cup Qualifier 0
36 (04) 12 August Hasely Crawford Stadium, Port of Spain  El Salvador 1–0 2010 World Cup Qualifier 0
2011
37 (04) 2 September Hasely Crawford Stadium, Port of Spain  Bermuda 1–0 2014 World Cup Qualifier 0
38 (04) 6 September Barbados National Stadium, Bridgetown  Barbados 2–0 2014 World Cup Qualifier 0
39 (04) 11 November Providence Stadium, Providence  Guyana 1–2 2014 World Cup Qualifier 0
2013
40 (04) 23 March FFB Stadium, Belmopan  Belize 0–0 Friendly 0
41 (04) 26 March Estadio Nacional, Lima  Peru 0–3 Friendly 0
42 (04) 4 June Arena Națională, Bucharest  Romania 0–4 Friendly 0
43 (04) 20 July Georgia Dome, Atlanta  Mexico 0–1 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup 0

Honours

with Los Angeles Galaxy
with Port Vale

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Mohammed, "Flex" Inshan (20 July 2010). "Twenty-three questions with Chris Birchall". socawarriors.net. Retrieved 7 September 2011.
  2. ↑ Wood, Ian (16 June 2006). "Party erupts at Birchall's local". BBC News. Retrieved 7 December 2009.
  3. ↑ Mohammed, Inshan (20 July 2010). "Twenty-three questions with Chris Birchall". socawarriors.net. Archived from the original on 30 September 2012. Retrieved 13 August 2010.
  4. ↑ "Port Vale 1-0 Swindon". BBC Sport. 19 October 2004. Retrieved 6 December 2009.
  5. ↑ "Port Vale 3-1 Tranmere". BBC Sport. 7 December 2004. Retrieved 6 December 2009.
  6. ↑ "Player of the Year Awards". port-vale.co.uk. 10 May 2011. Archived from the original on 9 June 2012. Retrieved 24 October 2011.
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  10. ↑ "Coventry 3-0 Norwich". BBC Sport. 8 September 2006. Retrieved 6 December 2009.
  11. ↑ "Buddies complete Birchall signing". BBC Sport. 31 August 2007. Retrieved 31 August 2007.
  12. ↑ "Early Buddies exit for Birchall". BBC Sport. 3 December 2007. Retrieved 6 December 2009.
  13. ↑ "Carlisle admit Birchall interest". BBC Sport. 27 August 2008. Retrieved 6 December 2009.
  14. ↑ "No signings planned at Carlisle". BBC Sport. 28 August 2008. Retrieved 6 December 2009.
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  16. ↑ "Carlisle sign midfielder Birchall". BBC Sport. 27 November 2008. Retrieved 6 December 2009.
  17. ↑ "Westwood influences Birchall move". BBC Sport. 28 November 2008. Retrieved 6 December 2009.
  18. ↑ Birchall cancels contract Archived 10 September 2012 at the Wayback Machine., CCFC.co.uk, 2 January 2008. Retrieved 5 January 2008
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  20. ↑ "Birchall on Trial with Albion". seagulls.co.uk. 5 January 2009. Archived from the original on 25 March 2012. Retrieved 6 December 2009.
  21. ↑ Dudding, Tim (16 January 2009). "Albion Sign Birchall". seagulls.co.uk. Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 6 December 2009.
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  23. ↑ "Brighton block Birchall MLS move". BBC Sport. 11 April 2009. Retrieved 6 December 2009.
  24. ↑ "Birchall to join Beckham in LA". BBC Sport. 10 May 2009. Retrieved 6 December 2009.
  25. ↑ "Fourteen let go in Brighton cull". BBC Sport. 12 May 2009. Retrieved 6 December 2009.
  26. ↑ "Birchall agrees to Galaxy deal". socawarriors.net. 25 May 2009. Retrieved 6 December 2009.
  27. ↑ Shaw, Steve (2 December 2009). "Port Vale: Win puts us at crossroads – Adams". The Sentinel. Retrieved 6 December 2009.
  28. ↑ Cartwright, Phil; Adcock, Rob (4 April 2011). "Chris Birchall living the American dream with LA Galaxy". BBC Sport. Retrieved 4 April 2011.
  29. 1 2 "Port Vale: Birchall parties with Beckham after US title triumph". The Sentinel. 22 November 2011. Retrieved 22 November 2011.
  30. ↑ Bueno, Luis (23 January 2012). "Undermanned Galaxy get started on quest to defend title". lagalaxy.com. Retrieved 24 January 2012.
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  32. ↑ "Chris Birchall willing to play for Port Vale for free". BBC Sport. 19 February 2012. Retrieved 19 February 2012.
  33. ↑ "Port Vale hopeful of re-signing Chris Birchall". BBC Sport. 17 February 2012. Retrieved 17 February 2012.
  34. ↑ "Port Vale: Birchall in line for Valiants appearance". The Sentinel. 24 February 2012. Retrieved 24 February 2012.
  35. ↑ "Chris Birchall plays 84 minutes for Port Vale reserves". BBC Sport. 22 February 2012. Retrieved 25 February 2012.
  36. ↑ "Club Statement". port-vale.co.uk. 25 February 2012. Retrieved 25 February 2012.
  37. ↑ "Registrations to deadline (29th March)". evostikleague.pitchero.com. Retrieved 29 March 2012.
  38. ↑ "Crew signs T&T International Midfielder Chris Birchall". thecrew.com. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
  39. ↑ Guldan, Patrick (28 November 2012). "Miranda and Hesmer Among Player Options Declined". massivereport.com. Retrieved 3 December 2012.
  40. ↑ "Columbus Crew picks up contracts of 10 players while declining to retain GK Hesmer, 6 others". Washington Post. 3 December 2012. Retrieved 3 December 2012.
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  42. ↑ "Port Vale: Micky Adams signs Chris Birchall for third time". BBC Sport. 3 January 2013. Retrieved 3 January 2013.
  43. ↑ "Port Vale 7 - 1 Burton Albion". BBC Sport. 5 April 2013. Retrieved 6 April 2013.
  44. ↑ Pearson, Guy (31 May 2013). "Birchall and Johnson sign but Rob Page linked with Sheffield United job". The Sentinel. Retrieved 31 May 2013.
  45. ↑ "Chris Birchall hopes to agree terms to stay at the club". The Sentinel. 7 May 2014. Retrieved 7 May 2014.
  46. ↑ Baggaley, Mike (9 June 2014). "Chris Birchall signs new Port Vale deal". The Sentinel. Retrieved 9 June 2014.
  47. ↑ "Chris Birchall delighted to play his part in Port Vale's exciting new team". The Sentinel. 19 August 2014. Retrieved 19 August 2014.
  48. ↑ "Port Vale: Chris Birchall agrees new 12-month contract". BBC Sport. 19 June 2015. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
  49. 1 2 Baggaley, Michael (11 June 2015). "Chris Birchall questions Vale's loyalty after accepting cut-price contract offer". The Sentinel. Retrieved 31 December 2015.
  50. ↑ "Captain Carl Dickinson says critics of Chris Birchall are out of line". The Sentinel. 14 October 2015. Retrieved 14 October 2015.
  51. ↑ Baggaley, Mike (31 December 2015). "Chris Birchall ruled out after knee surgery". The Sentinel. Retrieved 31 December 2015.
  52. ↑ Baggaley, Mike (17 July 2016). "Chris Birchall gets trial game for Northampton". The Sentinel. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
  53. ↑ Hannah, Jim (23 September 2016). "Evo-Stik League: Kidsgrove Athletic swoop for former Port Vale star". The Sentinel. Retrieved 23 September 2016.
  54. ↑ "Scorers 2016/17". KAFC ONLINE. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
  55. ↑ Hannah, Jim (25 January 2017). "Evo-Stik League: Kidsgrove Athletic part company with Chris Birchall". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 18 February 2017.
  56. ↑ "World Cup unknowns". BBC Sport. 20 February 2006. Retrieved 7 December 2009.
  57. ↑ "Quotes of the week". BBC Sport. 15 November 2005. Retrieved 28 December 2008.
  58. ↑ Mitchener, Mark (30 April 2006). "From Burslem to Dortmund". BBC Sport. Retrieved 7 December 2009.
  59. ↑ "Yorke hails influence of Birchall". BBC Sport. 1 June 2006. Retrieved 7 December 2009.
  60. ↑ "Birchall and Bell up for award". BBC Coventry and Warwickshire. 21 November 2006. Retrieved 7 December 2009.
  61. ↑ "10 famous Britons you've probably never heard of". BBC Magazine. 3 August 2009. Retrieved 6 December 2009.
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  63. ↑ "Birchall set to consider his future with Trinidad". The Sentinel. 27 July 2013. Retrieved 27 July 2013.
  64. ↑ Baggaley, Mike (7 August 2013). "Vale's Chris Birchall retires from international football". The Sentinel. Retrieved 7 August 2013.
  65. ↑ "Football stars lose as Zenn club in Hanley collapses". The Sentinel. 21 July 2008. Retrieved 26 June 2009.
  66. ↑ "Would Chris Make a Model Husband?". The Sentinel. Archived from the original on 22 July 2012. Retrieved 5 May 2012.
  67. ↑ "Games played by Chris Birchall in 2001/2002". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2016.
  68. ↑ "Games played by Chris Birchall in 2002/2003". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2016.
  69. ↑ "Games played by Chris Birchall in 2003/2004". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2016.
  70. ↑ "Games played by Chris Birchall in 2004/2005". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2016.
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  72. 1 2 "Games played by Chris Birchall in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2016.
  73. 1 2 3 "Games played by Chris Birchall in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2016.
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  76. ↑ "2010 statistics". lagalaxy.com. Retrieved 24 January 2012.
  77. ↑ "Champions League 2010/2011". globalsportsmedia.com. Retrieved 24 January 2012.
  78. ↑ Alwin, J.T. "2010 US Open Cup Third Round: Galaxy send AC St. Louis home after 2-0 win". thecup.us. Retrieved 24 January 2012.
  79. ↑ "2011 season stats". ESPN. Retrieved 24 January 2012.
  80. ↑ "Champions League 2011/2012". globalsportsmedia.com. Archived from the original on 12 January 2012. Retrieved 24 January 2012.
  81. ↑ Winner, Andrew. "USOC Recap: Jaqua fuels Sounders to 3-1 win over Galaxy". lagalaxy.com. Retrieved 24 January 2012.
  82. ↑ Chris Birchall at Soccerway
  83. ↑ "Games played by Chris Birchall in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2016.
  84. ↑ "Games played by Chris Birchall in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2016.
  85. ↑ "Games played by Chris Birchall in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2016.
  86. ↑ "Games played by Chris Birchall in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2016.
  87. ↑ Sherwin, Phil; Johnson, Dave (2013), Port Vale This Side Up: 2012-2013 Promotion Celebration, BGL, ISBN 978-0-9926579-0-1
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