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)
Position(s)	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)
2009–2011	LA Galaxy	66	(1)
2012	Columbus Crew	18	(1)
2013–2016	Port Vale	75	(7)
2016–2017	Kidsgrove Athletic		(4)
Total		286	(22)
International career
2005–2013	Trinidad and Tobago	44	(4)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Christopher Birchall (born May 5, 1984) is a former professional footballer. He played as a midfielder, which means he played in the middle of the field. Chris scored 21 goals in 322 games during his 16-year career. He also scored four goals in 44 international games for Trinidad and Tobago.

Chris started his career with his local club, Port Vale. He became famous worldwide when he played for Trinidad and Tobago in the 2006 FIFA World Cup. His mother was born in Trinidad and Tobago, which allowed him to play for their team. After the World Cup, he moved to a bigger club, Coventry City. He also played for St Mirren and Carlisle United on loan.

Later, he joined Brighton & Hove Albion. In 2009, he moved to the United States to play for the Major League Soccer club LA Galaxy. With the Galaxy, his team won the Western Conference championship in 2009 and 2011. They also won the Supporters' Shield and the MLS Cup in 2011. Chris then played for Columbus Crew for six months in 2012. He returned to Port Vale in 2013 and helped them get promoted to a higher league. In 2016, he joined Kidsgrove Athletic, a non-League team.

Chris Birchall's Football Journey

Early Career at Port Vale

Chris Birchall grew up in Stone, England. He started playing for Port Vale when he was just nine years old. He made his first team debut on September 12, 2001. This was in a League Cup game against Charlton Athletic. He later made his league debut in April 2002.

"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 2004–05 season, Chris showed how good he was. He scored seven goals in 39 games. His first goal was a winning goal against Swindon Town. He also scored two goals in one game against Tranmere Rovers. At the end of that season, he was named the Young Player of the Year. In the 2005–06 season, he scored a goal in the FA Cup that helped Port Vale get closer to playing a big team like Aston Villa.

Moving to Coventry City

In July 2006, Chris joined Coventry City for £300,000. He signed a three-year deal with the club. He scored his first goal for Coventry against Norwich City with a powerful shot. He played 28 games for them that season.

In August 2007, Chris went on loan to St Mirren in Scotland. He had to return to Coventry early because of a hamstring injury. He didn't play much for Coventry after that. In November 2008, he went on loan again, this time to Carlisle United. After returning to Coventry, he left the club by agreement.

Time at Brighton and LA Galaxy

In January 2009, Chris joined Brighton & Hove Albion. He signed a contract until the end of the season. However, he wanted to move to an American club, LA Galaxy. Even though Brighton's chairman first stopped the move, Chris was allowed to leave in May 2009. He then signed a four-year contract with the LA Galaxy.

Playing in America

Chris made his official debut for LA Galaxy on July 16, 2009. He came on as a substitute for David Beckham in a game against the New York Red Bulls. He played eight more games that year. The Galaxy finished first in their conference but lost the MLS Cup final in a penalty shootout.

In 2010, Chris played 25 games and helped his team finish first in their conference again. They lost in the Conference finals. He also played in the CONCACAF Champions League.

Chris scored his first goal for LA Galaxy on June 11, 2011, against Toronto FC. During the off-season, he trained with his old club, Port Vale. He enjoyed his time in LA and became friends with famous players like Landon Donovan and David Beckham. In 2011, the Galaxy won three big titles: the Supporters' Shield, the Conference championship, and the MLS Cup. Chris came on as a substitute in the MLS Cup final, which Galaxy won 1–0.

In early 2012, Chris considered returning to England. He even trained with Port Vale again. He thought about playing for them for free to help the club. However, Port Vale had a transfer ban, so he couldn't sign a contract.

Joining Columbus Crew

In May 2012, Chris decided to stay in the MLS. He signed a contract with the Columbus Crew. He played 18 games for them. His coach decided not to keep him on the team in December 2012.

Return to Port Vale

On January 3, 2013, Chris signed a contract to return to his first club, Port Vale. This was the third time he was signed by manager Micky Adams. He scored his first goal back at Vale on April 5 in a big 7–1 win. Port Vale was promoted to a higher league that season. Chris signed a new one-year contract.

He continued to be an important player for Port Vale in the 2013–14 season. He played 32 games. He signed another one-year contract in the summer.

In the 2014–15 season, he played 30 games and scored three goals. He signed another one-year contract in June 2015. He felt he was very loyal to the club.

In the 2015–16 season, he started playing more games in October. He got a knee injury before the new year, which needed surgery and kept him out for six weeks.

Playing Non-League Football

After leaving Port Vale in 2016, Chris joined Kidsgrove Athletic, a team in a lower league. He scored four goals for them before leaving in January 2017.

International Career

Even though Chris was born in England, he played for Trinidad and Tobago. He could do this because his mother was born in Port of Spain.

Chris's agent helped the Trinidad and Tobago team know about him. Another player, Dennis Lawrence, asked Chris if he had "Trini blood" during a game. Chris then got called up to the Trinidad and Tobago squad for World Cup qualifying games. After his first game, it was said he was the first white player to play for the country in 60 years. His famous answer when asked why he qualified was, "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.

Chris made a very important play on November 12, 2005. This was in a World Cup qualifying game against Bahrain. Bahrain scored first, but five minutes later, Chris shot a stunning goal from far away to tie the game. Trinidad and Tobago then won the next game and made it to their first-ever World Cup finals! Chris and goalkeeper Shaka Hislop were the only players in the World Cup squad born in England.

In the 2006 World Cup, Chris played in all three of Trinidad and Tobago's games. They played against Sweden, England, and Paraguay. Playing against famous English players like Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney was a very special moment for him.

After the World Cup, each player on the Trinidad and Tobago team received the country's second-highest honor, the Chaconia Medal in gold. Chris is allowed to use "C.M." after his name.

Chris stopped playing for the national team 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

In 2016, Chris graduated from Staffordshire University with a degree in Professional Sports Writing & Broadcasting. In May 2021, he opened a football academy in Wolstanton. His academy focuses on helping children enjoy the game and have fun. In 2024, he started training to become a referee and accepted a fast-track deal.

Career Statistics

Club

International

Honours

LA Galaxy

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

Port Vale

• Football League Two third-place promotion: 2012–13

Individual

• Chaconia Medal Gold Class: 2006

See also

In Spanish: Chris Birchall para niños