Chris Birchall facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Chris Birchall
CM

Birchall training for the Galaxy (October 2011).
Personal information
Full name	Christopher Birchall
Date of birth	(1984-05-05) 5 May 1984 (age 41)
Place of birth	Stafford, England
Height	5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
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	LA 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	44	(4)
Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals).

Christopher Birchall CM (born on May 5, 1984) is a former professional footballer. He played as a midfielder. He scored 21 goals in 322 league and cup games during his 16-year career. He also scored four goals in 44 international matches for Trinidad and Tobago.

Chris started his career at Port Vale. He became famous worldwide when he played for Trinidad and Tobago at the 2006 FIFA World Cup. His mother was born in Trinidad and Tobago, which made him eligible to play for them. After the World Cup, he moved to Coventry City. He also had short loan spells with St Mirren and Carlisle United.

In 2009, he moved to the United States. He signed with the MLS club LA Galaxy. While with the Galaxy, his team won the Major League Soccer Western Conference in 2009 and 2011. They also won the Supporters' Shield and the MLS Cup in 2011. He later joined Columbus Crew for six months in 2012. Chris returned to Port Vale in January 2013. He helped the club get promoted from League Two in the 2012–13 season. In September 2016, he joined Kidsgrove Athletic in non-League football.

Chris Birchall's Football Journey

Starting at Port Vale

Chris Birchall went to Alleyne's High School in Stone, Staffordshire. He started his football career with Port Vale. He had been with the club since he was nine years old. He played his first game on September 12, 2001. This was in a League Cup match against Charlton Athletic. He made his league debut on April 20, 2002, against Brighton.

"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."

In the 2003–04 season, he played 13 games. During the 2004–05 season, Chris showed how good he could be. He scored seven goals in 39 games. His first goal was a winning goal against Swindon Town. He also scored two goals against Tranmere Rovers. At the end of that season, he was named the Young Player of the Year. In the 2005–06 season, Birchall scored twice in 32 games. One of his goals helped Port Vale reach the third round of the FA Cup.

Moving to Coventry City

In July 2006, while the World Cup was still happening, there were rumors Chris would leave Port Vale. The next month, Micky Adams' Coventry City signed Birchall. They paid £300,000 for him. He signed a three-year deal with the "Sky Blues." He scored his first goal for Coventry against Norwich City. He played 28 games in the 2006–07 season.

In August 2007, Birchall went on loan to St Mirren in Scotland. He returned to Coventry in December due to a hamstring injury. He played only two more games for Coventry after his return. In November 2008, Birchall signed for Carlisle United on loan. When he returned to Coventry, he ended his contract with them.

Playing for Brighton

In January 2009, Birchall joined League One team Brighton & Hove Albion. He first had a trial to earn a contract. He then signed a contract until the end of the season. He was reunited with his old Coventry boss, Micky Adams. Three months later, Brighton's chairman stopped him from moving to Major League Soccer club LA Galaxy. Despite this, Birchall wanted to move to the American team. He left Brighton in May 2009. Later that month, he agreed to a four-year contract with the LA Galaxy.

American Adventure with LA Galaxy

Chris made his official MLS debut on July 16, 2009. He came on as a substitute for David Beckham against the New York Red Bulls. He played eight more games for Bruce Arena's team in 2009. The Galaxy finished first in their conference. However, they lost the MLS Cup final in a penalty shoot-out. Birchall started the final but was substituted.

He played 25 games in 2010. He helped his team finish first in the Western Conference again. He also played in the CONCACAF Champions League. Birchall scored his first MLS goal against Toronto FC on June 11, 2011. The Galaxy won three titles in 2011: the Supporters' Shield, the Conference championship, and the MLS Cup. Birchall came on as a substitute in the cup final. The Galaxy beat Houston Dynamo 1–0.

In January 2012, Chris considered returning to England. He trained with Port Vale. He even thought about playing for them for free. However, Port Vale had a transfer ban. So, he could not sign a contract.

Short Spell at Columbus Crew

In May 2012, Chris decided to stay in the MLS. He signed a contract with the Columbus Crew. Fans noted his high energy but sometimes he lost possession. He was also unhappy about not playing much in September. His contract option was not renewed in December 2012.

Back Home at Port Vale

On January 3, 2013, Chris signed a contract with his old club, Port Vale. This was his second time playing for them. It was also the third time manager Micky Adams signed him. He scored his first goal in this second spell on April 5. It was a 25-yard shot in a 7–1 win. Vale was promoted at the end of the season. Birchall then signed a new one-year contract.

He was an important player in the 2013–14 season. He played 17 starts and 15 substitute games. The club finished ninth in League One. He signed another one-year contract that summer.

He started the 2014–15 season playing on the right side of midfield. He scored three goals in 30 games. He signed a new one-year contract in June 2015. However, he was not happy with the contract. He felt his loyalty was being taken advantage of.

In October 2015, he made his first start of the 2015–16 season. He played until he got a knee injury before the new year. The injury needed surgery and kept him out for six weeks.

Playing in Non-League Football

Chris left Port Vale at the end of the 2015–16 season. In July 2016, he had a trial at Northampton Town. Two months later, he signed with Kidsgrove Athletic. This team was in the Northern Premier League. He scored four goals before leaving the club in January 2017. The manager said they parted on good terms.

Playing for Trinidad and Tobago

Chris Birchall was born in England. But he played for Trinidad and Tobago internationally. He could do this because his mother was born in Port of Spain.

Chris's agent helped spread the word that he could play for his mother's country. He first learned about their interest from Dennis Lawrence. Lawrence was a Trinidad and Tobago international centre back. He asked Chris if he could play for the "Soca Warriors." Lawrence then gave Chris's contact details to the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association. Chris was called up for World Cup qualifiers. He played against Panama and Mexico. This was after some friendly games against Bermuda.

After his first game for the national team, it was reported that Birchall was the first white player to represent the country in sixty years. However, former Trinidad coach Stephen Hart is white and played for Trinidad & Tobago in 1980. The famous West Indies cricketer Brian Lara also helped the TTFA hear about Birchall. When the press in Trinidad and Tobago asked why he qualified, he famously replied, "Me mum." This led to his 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.

His most important moment for the "Soca Warriors" was on November 12, 2005. This was in their World Cup qualifying play-off against Bahrain. Bahrain scored first. But five minutes later, Birchall scored a stunning goal from outside the penalty area. This made the score equal. The "Soca Warriors" then won the second game 1–0. This meant they reached their first-ever World Cup finals. Chris Birchall and goalkeeper Shaka Hislop were the only players born in England on the World Cup squad.

In the World Cup, he played all three of Trinidad and Tobago's games. These were against Sweden, England, and Paraguay. Playing against stars like Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney was very special for him.

After returning from the 2006 World Cup, each team member received the Chaconia Medal in gold. They also received TT$1,000,000. This means he can add "C.M." after his name. Fans also made a rap song in his honor.

He stopped playing for the first team in November 2011. But he was called back in March 2013. He thought about retiring from international football in July 2013. He officially retired in August 2013.

"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."

Life After Football

Chris's then-partner, Lucy Mulroy, had a son named Ashley Edward Birchall on April 28, 2009. Chris Birchall went to Staffordshire University. He graduated in 2016 with a degree in Professional Sports Writing & Broadcasting. In May 2021, he opened a football academy in Wolstanton. The academy focuses on kids enjoying the game and having fun. In 2024, he started training to become a referee. He accepted a three-year fast-track deal with the PGMOL.

Career Numbers

Club

International

Awards and Achievements

LA Galaxy

• MLS Cup: 2011
• Major League Soccer Supporters' Shield: 2010, 2011
• Major League Soccer Western Conference Championship: 2009, 2011

Port Vale

• League Two promotion: 2012–13

Individual

• Chaconia Medal Gold Class: 2006

See also

In Spanish: Chris Birchall para niños