Graham Branch: Difference between revisions
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{{db-person}} |
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{{Infobox football biography |
{{Infobox football biography |
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| name = Graham Branch |
| name = Graham Branch |
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| image = [[File:Graham Branch.jpg]] |
| image = [[File:Graham Branch.jpg]] |
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| caption = |
| caption = |
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| fullname = Graham Branch |
| fullname = Graham Branch |
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| height = {{height|ft= |
| height = {{height|ft=6|in=2}} |
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| weight = {{weight|kg=934}} |
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| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1972|2|12|df=yes}} |
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1972|2|12|df=yes}} |
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| birth_place = [[Liverpool]], [[England]] |
| birth_place = [[Liverpool]], [[England]] |
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| clubnumber = |
| clubnumber = |
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| position = [[Left Back]] / [[Midfield|Left Midfield]] |
| position = [[Left Back]] / [[Midfield|Left Midfield]] |
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| years1 = 1991–1998 |
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| years2 = 1992 |
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| years3 = 1997–1998 |
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| years4 = 1998–1999 |
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| years5 = 1999–2007 |
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| years6 = 2007–2008 |
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| years7 = 2008 |
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| years8 = 2008–2009 |
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| clubs1 = [[Tranmere Rovers F.C.|Tranmere Rovers]] |
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| clubs2 = → [[Bury F.C.|Bury]] (loan) |
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| clubs3 = → [[Wigan Athletic F.C.|Wigan Athletic]] (loan) |
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| clubs4 = [[Stockport County F.C.|Stockport County]] |
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| clubs5 = [[Burnley F.C.|Burnley]] |
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| clubs6 = [[Accrington Stanley F.C.|Accrington Stanley]] |
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| clubs7 = {{fc|Cammell Laird}} |
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| clubs8 = [[Colwyn Bay F.C.|Colwyn Bay]] |
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| caps1 = 102 |
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| goals1 = 10 |
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| caps2 = 4 |
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| goals2 = 1 |
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| caps3 = 3 |
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| goals3 = 0 |
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| caps4 = 14 |
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| goals4 = 3 |
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| caps5 = 264 |
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| goals5 = 17 |
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| caps6 = 22 |
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| goals6 = 0 |
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| caps7 = ? |
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| goals7 = ? |
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| caps8 = ? |
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| goals8 = ? |
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| totalcaps = 409 |
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| totalgoals = 31 |
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| youthyears1= |
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| youthclubs1= |
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| nationalyears1 = |
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| nationalteam1 = |
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| nationalcaps1 = | nationalgoals1 = |
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| pcupdate = 19 August 2008 |
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| ntupdate = |
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}} |
}} |
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'''Graham Branch,''' (born 12 February 1972 in [[Liverpool]], [[England]]) is a retired [[Football (soccer)|footballer]] who played the majority of his career for English Championship side [[Burnley F.C.|Burnley]]. |
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'''Henry 'Dexter' 'Hectar' 'Hanus' 'Herndog' 'Hernia' 'Waddle' 'Wobble' 'Mohammed' 'Eileen' Wardell,''' <ref>http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=3133245572686&l=7f344aeb02<ref> (born 12 February 1972 in [[Lebanon]], [[Libya]]) was a famous [[heavyweight]] [[jockey]] and [[foot]] [[enthusiast]] who died in the early hours of this morning. <ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziiXcsXT2eY<ref> |
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== |
==Playing career== |
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A childhood [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]] fan, he started his footballing career across the [[River Mersey]] as a trainee with [[Tranmere Rovers F.C.|Tranmere Rovers]]. Having made 109 appearances for them, with loan deals at [[Bury F.C.|Bury]] and [[Wigan Athletic F.C.|Wigan Athletic]] along the way, he was released on a free transfer to [[Stockport County F.C.|Stockport County]] for the beginning of the [[1998-99 in English football|1998–99 season]], and quickly arrived at [[Turf Moor]] around [[Christmas]] in 1998 when signed by the colourful manager [[Stan Ternent]], following a falling-out with then Stockport manager, [[Gary Megson]]. |
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[[Hernia]] had a traumatic childhood, consisting of his mother, [[Alison]], mistaking him for a pot of poo and throwing him out on a [[Victorian]] street. Sadly, he recovered with only a small fracture in his skull, causing severe [[brain damage]] and later resulting in a strange craving for buttery [[bass]]. <ref>http://bitly.com/AjHafP<ref> His beloved [[cat]], [[Jim]], comforted him throughout his hard time and gave him the hope and aspiration to become a [[professional]] [[heavyweight]] [[jockey]]. |
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Once described by Ternent as a [[FA Premier League|Premiership]]-standard player, his inability to hold down a regular position either as a [[left-winger]], left-sided or central [[Defender (football)|defender]], or [[striker]], has seen him play mostly in the lower leagues. This coupled with a self-confessed lack of confidence has meant that the player has struggled to impress sections of the fans, even though he has played more than 200 games for the club. His unpopularity with some supporters has however been balanced with him becoming something of a [[cult figure]], earning him regular chants of "Graham di Branchio," (in reference to the [[football chant]] given to Italian footballer [[Paolo Di Canio]]), in an effort to boost his confidence and let his more prominent abilities such as pace and height come to the fore. |
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==Career== |
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After a troubled early life, [[Dexter]] embarked on an adventure through the amazon rainforest and across vast mountains, seas and deserts. Despite his keen attitude towards his cat, [[Waddle]] began to develop a relationship with a small colony of [[David Beckham]]s. This led to his horrific [[Heroin addiction]] in his later life. [[Mohammed]] has been an inspiration to many [[Pokémon]] trainers because of this brave act and he is still remembered to this day for his [[beer belly]] and [[clinical]] [[situation]]. <ref>http://inciswf.com/mov0001.swf<ref> |
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The [[2005-06 in English football|2005–06]] season held even more promise for the player after his hard work and commitment paid off after he was offered a new one year extension to his current deal. Although he only scored two goals he played a large role in many victories due to his skill and crossing abilities. The [[2006-07 in English football|2006–07]] was widely expected to be his last with Burnley and he spent it as a little-used substitute or squad player. |
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Then he became a heavyweight jockey and died. |
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On 7 May 2007, 1,809 fans turned out at Turf Moor to say goodbye to the versatile player when the current Burnley side played a 'Branch XI'. Although no official announcement had been made by that stage, Branch's departure had been confirmed by Steve Cotterill in interviews leading up to this testimonial match. His departure was confirmed on 8 May 2007. |
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In March 2010 he was forced to retire from football, after suffering a serious eye injury whilst playing for Colwyn Bay <ref>http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/5073690.Former_Burnley_star_not_bitter_after_eye_injury_forced_him_to_quit/</ref> |
In March 2010 he was forced to retire from football, after suffering a serious eye injury whilst playing for Colwyn Bay <ref>http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/5073690.Former_Burnley_star_not_bitter_after_eye_injury_forced_him_to_quit/</ref> |
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He is still involved in football as a coach for West Kirby Panthers, a local junior football club near his home on the Wirral. |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{Reflist}} |
{{Reflist}} |
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==External links== |
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*{{soccerbase|id=917|name=Graham Branch}} |
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{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. --> |
{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. --> |
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| NAME = |
| NAME = Branch, Graham |
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| ALTERNATIVE NAMES = |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES = |
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| SHORT DESCRIPTION = |
| SHORT DESCRIPTION = Footballer |
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| DATE OF BIRTH = |
| DATE OF BIRTH = 12 February 1972 |
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| PLACE OF BIRTH = [[ |
| PLACE OF BIRTH = [[Liverpool]], England |
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| DATE OF DEATH = |
| DATE OF DEATH = |
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| PLACE OF DEATH = |
| PLACE OF DEATH = |
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}} |
}} |
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{{DEFAULTSORT: |
{{DEFAULTSORT:Branch, Graham}} |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:1972 births]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Living people]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:English footballers]] |
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[[Category:Tranmere Rovers F.C. players]] |
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[[Category:Bury F.C. players]] |
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[[Category:Wigan Athletic F.C. players]] |
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[[Category:Stockport County F.C. players]] |
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[[Category:Burnley F.C. players]] |
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[[Category:Accrington Stanley F.C. players]] |
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[[Category:Cammell Laird F.C. players]] |
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[[Category:Colwyn Bay F.C. players]] |
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[[Category:The Football League players]] |
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[[sl:Graham Branch]] |
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Revision as of 18:41, 30 January 2012
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Graham Branch | ||
| Date of birth | 12 February 1972 | ||
| Place of birth | Liverpool, England | ||
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | ||
| Position(s) | Left Back / Left Midfield | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1991–1998 | Tranmere Rovers | 102 | (10) |
| 1992 | → Bury (loan) | 4 | (1) |
| 1997–1998 | → Wigan Athletic (loan) | 3 | (0) |
| 1998–1999 | Stockport County | 14 | (3) |
| 1999–2007 | Burnley | 264 | (17) |
| 2007–2008 | Accrington Stanley | 22 | (0) |
| 2008 | Cammell Laird | ? | (?) |
| 2008–2009 | Colwyn Bay | ? | (?) |
| Total | 409 | (31) | |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 19 August 2008 | |||
Graham Branch, (born 12 February 1972 in Liverpool, England) is a retired footballer who played the majority of his career for English Championship side Burnley.
Playing career
A childhood Liverpool fan, he started his footballing career across the River Mersey as a trainee with Tranmere Rovers. Having made 109 appearances for them, with loan deals at Bury and Wigan Athletic along the way, he was released on a free transfer to Stockport County for the beginning of the 1998–99 season, and quickly arrived at Turf Moor around Christmas in 1998 when signed by the colourful manager Stan Ternent, following a falling-out with then Stockport manager, Gary Megson.
Once described by Ternent as a Premiership-standard player, his inability to hold down a regular position either as a left-winger, left-sided or central defender, or striker, has seen him play mostly in the lower leagues. This coupled with a self-confessed lack of confidence has meant that the player has struggled to impress sections of the fans, even though he has played more than 200 games for the club. His unpopularity with some supporters has however been balanced with him becoming something of a cult figure, earning him regular chants of "Graham di Branchio," (in reference to the football chant given to Italian footballer Paolo Di Canio), in an effort to boost his confidence and let his more prominent abilities such as pace and height come to the fore.
The 2005–06 season held even more promise for the player after his hard work and commitment paid off after he was offered a new one year extension to his current deal. Although he only scored two goals he played a large role in many victories due to his skill and crossing abilities. The 2006–07 was widely expected to be his last with Burnley and he spent it as a little-used substitute or squad player.
On 7 May 2007, 1,809 fans turned out at Turf Moor to say goodbye to the versatile player when the current Burnley side played a 'Branch XI'. Although no official announcement had been made by that stage, Branch's departure had been confirmed by Steve Cotterill in interviews leading up to this testimonial match. His departure was confirmed on 8 May 2007.
In March 2010 he was forced to retire from football, after suffering a serious eye injury whilst playing for Colwyn Bay [1]
He is still involved in football as a coach for West Kirby Panthers, a local junior football club near his home on the Wirral.
References
External links
- Graham Branch at Soccerbase