Graham Branch
Encyclopedia
Graham Branch, is a retired footballer
who played the majority of his career for English Championship side Burnley
.
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
He is still involved in football as a coach for West Kirby Panthers, a local junior football club near his home on the Wirral.
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
who played the majority of his career for English Championship side Burnley
Burnley F.C.
Burnley Football Club are a professional English Football League club based in Burnley, Lancashire. Nicknamed the Clarets, due to the dominant colour of their home shirts, they were founder members of the Football League in 1888...
.
Playing career
A childhood LiverpoolLiverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
fan, he started his footballing career across the River Mersey
River Mersey
The River Mersey is a river in North West England. It is around long, stretching from Stockport, Greater Manchester, and ending at Liverpool Bay, Merseyside. For centuries, it formed part of the ancient county divide between Lancashire and Cheshire....
as a trainee with Tranmere Rovers
Tranmere Rovers F.C.
Tranmere Rovers Football Club are an English team based in Birkenhead, Wirral. The club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system...
. Having made 109 appearances for them, with loan deals at Bury
Bury F.C.
Bury Football Club is an association football team based in Bury, Greater Manchester. The team currently play in League One. The club's nickname is The Shakers which was bestowed upon them by club chairman JT Ingham, an industrialist and ironmonger of the late 1890s.-Formation of the club and the...
and Wigan Athletic
Wigan Athletic F.C.
Wigan Athletic Football Club is an English Premier League Association football club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester, having been promoted from the Championship in 2005. Wigan's current spell in the Premier League is the only top flight run in the club's history.They have played at the DW...
along the way, he was released on a free transfer to Stockport County
Stockport County F.C.
Stockport County Football Club is an English football club based in Stockport, Greater Manchester. The club formed in 1883 as Heaton Norris Rovers, shortly afterwards merging with Heaton Norris F.C., and adopted the current name on 24 May 1890 on the creation of the County Borough of Stockport...
for the beginning of the 1998–99 season
1998-99 in English football
-Premier League:Manchester United overcame close competition from Arsenal, Aston Villa and Chelsea to win their fifth Premiership title in seven seasons thanks to the comeback of Roy Keane after his long-term injury and a transfer raid totalling nearly £30 million which netted Aston Villa striker...
, and quickly arrived at Turf Moor
Turf Moor
Turf Moor is a football stadium in Burnley, Lancashire. It is the home ground of Burnley Football Club, which has played there since moving from its Calder Vale ground in 1883. The stadium, which is situated on Harry Potts Way, named so after the club's longest serving Manager, has a capacity of...
around Christmas
Christmas
Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. It is a Christian feast that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, liturgically closing the Advent season and initiating the season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days...
in 1998 when signed by the colourful manager Stan Ternent
Stan Ternent
Francis Stanley "Stan" Ternent is an English former footballer and manager. He managed Blackpool, Hull City, Bury, Burnley, Gillingham and Huddersfield Town. He is currently a scout for Sunderland.-Career:...
, following a falling-out with then Stockport manager, Gary Megson
Gary Megson
Gary John Megson is an English former football player and is currently manager of Sheffield Wednesday.He has previously managed Norwich City, Blackpool, Stockport County, Stoke City, West Bromwich Albion, Nottingham Forest, Leicester City and Bolton Wanderers...
.
Once described by Ternent as a Premiership
FA Premier League
The Premier League is an English professional league for association football clubs. At the top of the English football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. Contested by 20 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with The Football League. The Premier...
-standard player, his inability to hold down a regular position either as a left-winger, left-sided or central defender
Defender (football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
, or striker
Striker
Forwards, also known as strikers, are the players on a team in association football who play nearest to the opposing team's goal, and are therefore principally responsible for scoring goals...
, 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
Football chant
A football chant or terrace chant, is a song or chant sung at association football matches. They can be historic, dating back to the formation of the club, adaptations of popular songs, or spontaneous reactions to events on the pitch. They are one of the last remaining sources of an oral folk song...
given to Italian footballer Paolo Di Canio
Paolo Di Canio
Paolo Di Canio is a Italian former professional footballer and current manager of League Two side Swindon Town. Di Canio made over 500 league appearances and scored over 100 league goals as a player....
), 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
2005-06 in English football
The 2005–06 season was the 126th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:*The rebuilt Wembley Stadium was due to open in time for the FA Cup final in May. However, in August 2005, The Football Association reserved the Millennium Stadium as a backup, as there was some doubt whether...
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
2006-07 in English football
The 2006–07 season was the 127th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:* The number of divisions at Level 8 of the English football league system increased from four to five...
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
He is still involved in football as a coach for West Kirby Panthers, a local junior football club near his home on the Wirral.