Alan John Birchenall, MBE (born 22 August 1945) is an English former footballer who played during the 1960s and 1970s as a forward. Born in East Ham he made his Football League debut with Sheffield United and went on to have a varied career, spending time at Chelsea and Leicester City as well as playing in the NASL and representing England at Under-23 level.
 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Alan John Birchenall | ||
| Date of birth | 22 August 1945 | ||
| Place of birth | East Ham, England | ||
| Position(s) | Attacking midfielder | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Notts County | |||
| Bulwell Forest Villa | |||
| Thorneywood Athletic | |||
| 1963–1964 | Sheffield United | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1963–1967 | Sheffield United | 107 | (31) |
| 1967–1970 | Chelsea | 75 | (20) |
| 1970–1971 | Crystal Palace | 41 | (11) |
| 1971–1977 | Leicester City | 163 | (12) |
| 1976 | → Notts County (loan) | 5 | (0) |
| 1977 | San Jose Earthquakes | 17 | (3) |
| 1977–1978 | Notts County | 28 | (0) |
| 1978 | Memphis Rogues | 24 | (2) |
| 1978–1979 | Blackburn Rovers | 18 | (0) |
| 1979 | Luton Town | 10 | (0) |
| 1979–1980 | Hereford United | 11 | (0) |
| 1980–1983 | Trowbridge Town | ||
| Total | 499 | (77) | |
| International career | |||
| 1966–1968 | England U23 | 4 | (1) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Club career
editSheffield United
editBirchenall's parents had moved from East Ham to Nottinghamshire when he was four,[1] and he played in the local junior leagues for Thorneywood Boys where he was spotted by Sheffield United.[1] Signed by then manager John Harris, Birchenall was a skilful attacking midfielder who initially played in the Blades youth and reserve team where he became a prolific goal scorer. He made his league debut a year after he was signed playing against Stoke City in September 1964.[1]
Nicknamed The Birch, Birchenall soon cemented himself in the Blades first team, endearing himself to the fans by scoring both goals against local rivals Sheffield Wednesday in a 2–0 victory at Hillsborough in only his second game.[1] Netting nine goals in his first twelve First Division games, he soon formed a formidable partnership with fellow striker Mick Jones whom he had played with as a Nottinghamshire schoolboy.[1] In 1967 however, with United seeking to raise funds, both Birchenall and Jones were sold in quick succession with Birchenall being transferred to Chelsea. He left Bramall Lane having played over 120 games for the club, scoring 37 goals and having the 'distinction' of being the first Blades player ever to be substituted in a League game (against Fulham in September 1965).[1]
Chelsea and Crystal Palace
editBirchenall was among the first players to command a £100,000 price tag when he moved from Sheffield United to Chelsea in November 1967. He missed Chelsea's win in the 1970 FA Cup Final due to injury.[2] After three years at Chelsea, he joined Crystal Palace, in June 1970,[3] in another £100,000 deal and was the team's top scorer in his first season at Selhurst Park, with 10 goals from 36 appearances.[4]
Leicester City and the NASL
editLeicester City paid £80,000 for him in September 1971,[3] and he remained with them until signing for Notts County in 1977. He later played for NASL sides the San Jose Earthquakes and the Memphis Rogues.
Return to England
editHe also spent brief spells with Blackburn Rovers, Luton Town, Hereford United and Trowbridge Town where he was player manager.[1]
International career
editBirchenall was capped four times for the England Under-23's with his appearances being spread between his time at Sheffield United and Chelsea.[1]
Personal life and post playing career
editBirchenall is currently club ambassador, which includes the role of pre-match and half-time host, at Leicester City. He also ran a footwear company and The Griffin Inn in Swithland in Charnwood, Leicestershire following his retirement from playing.[1]
Birchenall is a patron of PROSTaid, a prostate cancer charity.[5]
Awards
editIn 2002 Birchenall was awarded an MBE for his charity work. Leicester City Council announced in February 2009 that he was to be given the Honorary Freedom of Leicester alongside singer Engelbert Humperdinck and author Sue Townsend.[6] Two years later in July 2011 he received an honorary Doctor of Law Degree from the University of Leicester.[7]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h i Denis Clarebrough & Andrew Kirkham (2008). Sheffield United Who's Who. Hallamshire Press. p. 53. ISBN 978-1-874718-69-7.
- ^ "Former Player Remembers: Alan Birchenall". lcfc.com. 15 March 2017.
- ^ a b Mike Purkiss & Nigel Sands (1990). Crystal Palace: A Complete Record 1905–1989. p. 318. ISBN 0907969542.
- ^ Mike Purkiss & Nigel Sands (1990). Crystal Palace: A Complete Record 1905–1989. p. 235. ISBN 0907969542.
- ^ "Leicestershire First > News - Prostate cancer charity founder wins Leicestershire First Award". Archived from the original on 18 November 2015. Retrieved 11 November 2015.
- ^ "City honours three of its finest 'ambassadors'". Leicester City Council. 25 February 2009. Archived from the original on 11 January 2014. Retrieved 26 February 2009.
- ^ "Honorary Graduates 2011 no.5 – Alan 'The Birch' Birchenall". Leicester University. 13 July 2011. Retrieved 13 July 2011.
External links
edit- NASL Stats
- Alan Birchenall at Post War English & Scottish Football League A–Z Player's Transfer Database