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Christopher BirchallEnglish-born Trinidadian footballer, midfielder
Date of Birth: 05.05.1984
Country:  Togo |
Content:
- Chris Birchall: Trinidad & Tobago's English-Born Midfielder
- Club Career
- MLS Career
- Return to Port Vale
- International Career
Chris Birchall: Trinidad & Tobago's English-Born Midfielder
Chris Birchall is an English-born footballer who has represented the Trinidad and Tobago national team as a midfielder. He made history as the first white player to play for the team in over 60 years.
Club Career
Birchall began his professional career with Port Vale in the English Second Division, where he spent six seasons, making 78 appearances and scoring seven goals. His performance in the 2006 World Cup drew attention, and he transferred to Coventry City for £325,000 in August 2006.
After a season with Coventry, Birchall was loaned to Scottish club St. Mirren until early 2008. However, an injury brought him back to Coventry in November, after only nine appearances for St. Mirren. He was sent on loan again on November 27, this time to Carlisle United.
Birchall terminated his contract with Coventry by mutual consent after the loan period. On January 15, 2009, he signed a contract with Brighton & Hove Albion of League One until the end of the season.
MLS Career
Following the expiration of his contract with Brighton, Birchall joined MLS side Los Angeles Galaxy on a four-year deal. He later played for Columbus Crew in May 2012, where he made 18 appearances and scored one goal before departing in December 2012.
Return to Port Vale
On January 3, 2013, Birchall returned to his boyhood club Port Vale. The team achieved promotion that season, and Birchall extended his contract until the end of the 2013/14 season.
International Career
Despite being born in England, Birchall was eligible to play for Trinidad and Tobago due to his mother's Trinidadian heritage. He became a key player in the team's historic qualification for the 2006 World Cup. He is renowned for his goal against Bahrain in the qualifying tournament, which secured a draw in the first leg of the AFC-CONCACAF play-off.
