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Paul Birch (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Paul Birch was an English
footballer who played as a midfielder
, making over 150 appearances for both Aston Villa
and Wolverhampton Wanderers
during the 1980s and 1990s.
youth system
, becoming a regular first-team player in 1983/84 season
after making his league debut on 29 August 1983 in a 1-0 win at home to Sunderland
. His first-team debut had come earlier that year when he replaced Gary Shaw
for the final twelve minutes of the European Super Cup
victory
at home to Barcelona
. He had not featured in Villa's title-winning team of 1981 nor the European Cup winning side of 1982.
During Villa's decline he was the mainstay of their midfield - able to play on the right or in the centre - and through his tenacious performances became a Holte End favourite. He was part of the Villa side that were relegated under Billy McNeill
in 1987, but helped them win promotion under new manager Graham Taylor a year later. He came close to winning a league title medal in 1990, but Villa were beaten into second place by Liverpool
.
However, when Jozef Vengloš
became Villa manager at the start of the 1990-91
, Birch found himself out of the team and was sold to second flight team Wolverhampton Wanderers
in January 1991 for £400,000 where he joined up with former manager Graham Turner
(who had been at Villa Park from 1984 to 1986). He had served Aston Villa
for over 10 years and was awarded a testimonial by the club (against his new side) in August 1991.
Birch stayed at Wolves
for five years as the club (unsuccessfully) tried to break into the Premier League. He was almost an ever-present under Turner, but found regular appearances harder to come by after Wolves appointed another former manager of his, Graham Taylor.
He was finally released by Wolves in May 1996, whereupon he finished his career with a season at both Doncaster Rovers
and Exeter City
before retiring from professional football and joining Halesowen Town
in the Southern Premier League
.
He had a spell as a postman before joining the coaching staff at Forest Green Rovers
in 2001, working under his former Villa teammate Nigel Spink
and remained with the club after Spink was sacked. He left Rovers in August 2003 to take up a role coaching the youth teams at Birmingham City
, where Spink by now was goalkeeper coach.
in Sutton Coldfield
.
Birch, who was 46 when he died, was married and had a daughter named Olivia who was born on October 18, 1997. His older brother Alan
is also a professional footballer.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
footballer who played as a midfielder
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
, making over 150 appearances for both Aston Villa
Aston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
and Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...
during the 1980s and 1990s.
Career
Birch began his career in the Aston VillaAston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
youth system
Aston Villa F.C. Reserves and Academy
Aston Villa Reserves are the reserve team of Aston Villa, they have been part of the FA Premier Reserve League since its foundation in 1999 and are current holders of the Premier Reserve League South title. The team plays its home games at Villa Park - during the months of Autumn and Spring - and...
, becoming a regular first-team player in 1983/84 season
1983-84 in English football
The 1983–84 season was the 104th season of competitive football in England.- First Division :Liverpool had a great first season under the management of Joe Fagan as they wrapped up their third successive league title and the 15th in their history...
after making his league debut on 29 August 1983 in a 1-0 win at home to Sunderland
Sunderland A.F.C.
Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
. His first-team debut had come earlier that year when he replaced Gary Shaw
Gary Shaw
Gary Shaw was an English football striker who played for Aston Villa in the early 1980s. His goals helped Aston Villa win the English First Division championship in 1980–81 and the European Cup the following year - the only Birmingham-born player in the team. In 1981 he was voted PFA Young Player...
for the final twelve minutes of the European Super Cup
European Super Cup
The UEFA Super Cup is an annual football game between the reigning champions of the two cup competitions organized by UEFA: the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Europa League...
victory
1982 UEFA Super Cup
The 1982 European Super Cup was contested between the European Cup holders Aston Villa and the Cup Winners' Cup holders Barcelona. The cup took place over two legs in January 1983...
at home to Barcelona
FC Barcelona
Futbol Club Barcelona , also known as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça, is a professional football club, based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain....
. He had not featured in Villa's title-winning team of 1981 nor the European Cup winning side of 1982.
During Villa's decline he was the mainstay of their midfield - able to play on the right or in the centre - and through his tenacious performances became a Holte End favourite. He was part of the Villa side that were relegated under Billy McNeill
Billy McNeill
William "Billy" McNeill MBE is a former Scottish footballer and manager. He is best known for captaining Celtic to the European Cup triumph in 1967 and he later went on to manage the club. He is now the official Club Ambassador at Celtic....
in 1987, but helped them win promotion under new manager Graham Taylor a year later. He came close to winning a league title medal in 1990, but Villa were beaten into second place by Liverpool
Liverpool 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...
.
However, when Jozef Vengloš
Jozef Vengloš
Dr. Jozef Vengloš is a former Czechoslovak football player and coach. He has a Doctorate in Physical Education, as well as specialising in Psychology...
became Villa manager at the start of the 1990-91
1990-91 in English football
The 1990–91 season was the 111th season of competitive football in England.- First Division :Arsenal won the league. Runners-up spot was achieved by Liverpool, who had led the table for much of the first half of the season but had been shell-shocked in February by the sudden resignation of manager...
, Birch found himself out of the team and was sold to second flight team Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...
in January 1991 for £400,000 where he joined up with former manager Graham Turner
Graham Turner
Graham John Turner is an English former footballer who became a manager. He is currently manager of League Two club Shrewsbury Town. His son Mark was also a professional footballer....
(who had been at Villa Park from 1984 to 1986). He had served Aston Villa
Aston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
for over 10 years and was awarded a testimonial by the club (against his new side) in August 1991.
Birch stayed at Wolves
Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...
for five years as the club (unsuccessfully) tried to break into the Premier League. He was almost an ever-present under Turner, but found regular appearances harder to come by after Wolves appointed another former manager of his, Graham Taylor.
He was finally released by Wolves in May 1996, whereupon he finished his career with a season at both Doncaster Rovers
Doncaster Rovers F.C.
Doncaster Rovers Football Club is an English football club, based at the Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster, South Yorkshire. The team currently competes in the Football League Championship, after being promoted via the League One play-offs in 2008, and have remained there since.The club was founded in...
and Exeter City
Exeter City F.C.
Exeter City Football Club is an English football club, based in Exeter, which is owned by its fans through the Exeter City Supporters Trust.The club was a member of the Football League from 1920 to 2003...
before retiring from professional football and joining Halesowen Town
Halesowen Town F.C.
Halesowen Town is an English association football club formed in 1873, since 2011 playing in the Southern League Division One South & West]]. The team is nicknamed "The Yeltz".-History:...
in the Southern Premier League
Southern Premier League
Southern Premier League can refer to one of the following sports leagues:* Southern Football League Premier Division, an amateur soccer league in the south of England...
.
He had a spell as a postman before joining the coaching staff at Forest Green Rovers
Forest Green Rovers F.C.
Forest Green Rovers Football Club is an English football club based in Nailsworth, Gloucestershire, currently the longest-serving members of the Conference National. The club is affiliated to the Gloucestershire County FA.-Early years:...
in 2001, working under his former Villa teammate Nigel Spink
Nigel Spink
Nigel Philip Spink is a former football goalkeeper who made his name at Aston Villa and also made one appearance for England at international level on the tour of Australia in 1983.-Career:...
and remained with the club after Spink was sacked. He left Rovers in August 2003 to take up a role coaching the youth teams at Birmingham City
Birmingham City F.C.
Birmingham City Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, they became Small Heath in 1888, then Birmingham in 1905, finally becoming Birmingham City in 1943.They were relegated at the end of the...
, where Spink by now was goalkeeper coach.
Illness and death
In May 2008, it was revealed he was suffering from bone cancer. He died on 2 February 2009 at the Good Hope HospitalGood Hope Hospital
Good Hope Hospital is a hospital in the Sutton Coldfield area of Birmingham, England. Covering north Birmingham and south east Staffordshire it has Accident and Emergency facilities....
in Sutton Coldfield
Sutton Coldfield
Sutton Coldfield is a suburb of Birmingham, in the West Midlands of England. Sutton is located about from central Birmingham but has borders with Erdington and Kingstanding. Sutton is in the northeast of Birmingham, with a population of 105,000 recorded in the 2001 census...
.
Birch, who was 46 when he died, was married and had a daughter named Olivia who was born on October 18, 1997. His older brother Alan
Alan Birch
Alan Birch is an English former professional footballer who played as a winger, making over 400 career appearances.-Career:...
is also a professional footballer.