Alan Birchenall
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Alan John Birchenall | ||
| Date of birth | 22 August 1945 | ||
| Place of birth | East Ham, England | ||
| Playing position | Attacking Midfielder | ||
| 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 | 0? (0?) | |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals). |
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Alan Birchenall MBE (born 22 August 1945 in East Ham) is a retired English footballer who played during the 1960s and 1970s.
A talented and much travelled player. Alan was a skilful attacking midfielder who started his professional career with Sheffield United in 1963. He made his league debut a year later and won the first two of his four England under-23 caps while with the Blades.
He was among the first players to command a £100,000 price tag when he moved from Sheffield United to Chelsea in November 1967. After three years at Chelsea, he joined Crystal Palace in another £100,000 deal, and lead their scoring list in his first season at Selhurst Park.
Leicester City paid £80,000 for him in 1971, 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.
He also spent brief spells with Blackburn Rovers, Luton Town, Hereford United and Trowbridge Town.
He is currently club ambassador, which includes the roll of pre-match and half-time host at Leicester City. In 2002 he was awarded an MBE for his charity work.
On 25 February 2009, Leicester City Council announced that Birchenall will be given the Honorary Freedom of Leicester alongside singer Engelbert Humperdinck and author Sue Townsend.[1]. Two years later on July 13th 2011 he received an honorary Doctor of Laws Degree from the University of Leicester[2]
[edit] References
- ^ "City honours three of its finest 'ambassadors'". Leicester City Council. 2009-02-25. http://www.leicester.gov.uk/newssite/index01.asp?pgid=9104. Retrieved 2009-02-26.
- ^ http://www2.le.ac.uk/news/blog/2011-archive/july/honorary-graduates-2011-no.5-alan-the-birch-birchenall
[edit] External links
- 1945 births
- Living people
- Blackburn Rovers F.C. players
- Chelsea F.C. players
- Crystal Palace F.C. players
- English footballers
- Hereford United F.C. players
- Leicester City F.C. players
- Luton Town F.C. players
- Members of the Order of the British Empire
- North American Soccer League (1968–1984) players
- San Jose Earthquakes (NASL) players
- Memphis Rogues players
- Notts County F.C. players
- Sheffield United F.C. players
