Alan John Birchenall, (born 22 August 1945) is an English former footballer who played during the 1960s and 1970s as a forward. Born in East Ham he made his Football League debut with Sheffield United and went on to have a varied career, spending time at Chelsea and Leicester City as well as playing in the NASL and representing England at Under-23 level.
Club career
Sheffield United
Birchenall's parents had moved from
East Ham to
Nottinghamshire when he was four,
and he played in the local junior leagues for Thorneywood Boys where he was spotted by Sheffield United.
Signed by then manager John Harris, Birchenall was a skilful attacking midfielder who initially played in the Blades youth and reserve team where he became a prolific goal scorer. He made his league debut a year after he was signed playing against Stoke City in September 1964.
Nicknamed The Birch, Birchenall soon cemented himself in the Blades first team, endearing himself to the fans by scoring both goals against local rivals Sheffield Wednesday in a 2–0 victory at Hillsborough in only his second game.
Chelsea and Crystal Palace
Birchenall was among the first players to command a £100,000 price tag when he moved from Sheffield United to Chelsea in November 1967. He missed Chelsea's win in the 1970 FA Cup Final due to injury.
After three years at Chelsea, he joined Crystal Palace, in June 1970,
in another £100,000 deal and was the team's top scorer in his first season at
Selhurst Park, with 10 goals from 36 appearances.
Leicester City and the NASL
Leicester City paid £80,000 for him in September 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.
Return to England
He also spent brief spells with Blackburn Rovers, Luton Town, Hereford United and Trowbridge Town where he was player manager.
International career
Birchenall was capped four times for the England Under-23's with his appearances being spread between his time at Sheffield United and Chelsea.
Personal life and post playing career
Birchenall is currently club ambassador, which includes the role of pre-match and half-time host, at Leicester City. He also ran a footwear company and The Griffin Inn in
Swithland in Charnwood, Leicestershire following his retirement from playing.
Birchenall is a patron of PROSTaid, a prostate cancer charity.
Awards
In the 2003 New Year Honours, Birchenall was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) "for Charitable Services to the community in Leicestershire."
Leicester City Council announced in February 2009 that he was to be given the Honorary Freedom of Leicester alongside singer Engelbert Humperdinck and author
Sue Townsend.
Two years later in July 2011 he received an honorary Doctor of Law Degree from the University of Leicester.
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