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A tribute to great players
from the period 1965/66 to 1979/80, particularly highlighting their appearance
in football cards. For more see the
Player Pages Index. Alan Birchenall A list of all of the appearances of this player in football cards in the period 1965/66 to 1979/80 appears at the foot of this page. | ||
 1968/69 A&BC Gum Footballers (Yellow backs), No. 67  1969/70 FKS Publishers Wonderful World of Soccer Stars, No. 76  1970/71 A&BC Gum Footballers (Orange backs), No. 236  1971/72 FKS Publishers Wonderful World of Soccer Stars, No. 46  1972/73 FKS Publishers Wonderful World of Soccer Stars, No. 136  1973/74 Top Sellers Football 73, No. 154  1978/79 Topps Chewing Gum Footballers (Orange back), No. 122 |
Alan Birchenall was born in East Ham, London
in 1945. His career in the Football League lasted from 1963 until
1980. He then continued playing with Trowbridge Town until 1983. He also
played a number of games in the NASL in the U.S. Though born a Londoner, Birchenall was raised in Nottingham. He developed as a junior with Thorniewood Athletic, Sheffield United's nursery side and began his League playing career with United, making his debut in Division One in September 1964. He made an instant impact though perhaps surprisingly he didn't appear in football cards in 1965 or 1966. He made 107 League appearances for United during this time until, in late 1967, Chelsea snapped him up. Birchenall's transfer from Sheffield United to Chelsea in November 1967 represented only the 4th ever £100,000+ transfer (after Denis Law, Alan Ball and Tony Hateley), an indication of the regard in which he was held at this time. The 1968/69 A&C card notes: "Chelsea's latest signing, he joined them in November 1967 for £100,000 from Sheffield United. A hard working forward, he has been capped for England's Under 23 team, and has fitted in well with Chelsea's attack. First came to prominence in the 1964-65 season, when he formed a powerful 'double spearhead' with Mick Jones". The 1969/70 IPC blue back states: "Tall, energetic striker, he cost Chelsea £100,000 when they secured his transfer from Sheffield United in 1967. Born in London, he developed as a junior with Thorneywood, a Notts side, and entered League football in 1965. He gained England Under-23 honours two seasons ago". Chelsea finished 6th in the League in 1967/68, 5th in 1968/69 and 3rd in 1969/70. In May 1970 they played against Leeds United in the classic F.A. Cup Final which Chelsea won 2-1 in the replay. Birchenall was not in the Chelsea team for the cup final. Soon afterwards he was transferred to Crystal Palace in June 1970. Birchenall was transferred in a deal worth £140,000 which also included Bobby Tambling. The 1970/71 season began well for Palace as they found themselves in the top six of the League. However this early season form petered out and they finished a disappointing 18th. The 1971/72 FKS sticker notes "Top scorer with the club last season with 10 goals". The Top Sellers Football 72 card notes "England Under-23 forward who earned fame with Sheffield United and was transferred for £100,000 to Chelsea. Moved on to Palace in "double deal" with Tambling and is now a big inspiration to the South London club. A maker and taker of goals - especially dangerous with his head". After only 15 months with the club Palace sold Birchenall to Leicester City. The 1972/73 A&BC Gum notes: "Birchenall is the first player to be transferred three times, with each fee costing £100,000! Joined Leicester in September 1971 from Crystal Palace. Big strong and direct attacker...". Leicester has been promoted back into the First Division in 1971, following their 1969 relegation (the same year they lost the F.A. Cup Final). Their promotion was based more on their defence (Shilton, Whitworth, Nish, Sjoberg) than their attack, so they knew they needed to bolster their fire power if they were to stay in the top flight. They signed Birchenall in September, nine games into the season. In their first season back they finished 12th, though they still struggled for goals. Alan Birchenall managed 4 goals in 29 League games. Their stay in the First Division lasted seven years, a period which roughly correlates with the length of Birchenall's stay. The 1972/73 Barratt Soccer Stars card notes "Alan stands 6ft and scales around the 12st 6lb mark, born in East Ham. He packs a tremendous shot and makes as well as scores goals. Could have made the grade as a pop singer too". Did he write that himself I wonder? Around this time Birchenall, now around 30 years of age, switched to a midfield role. The Top Sellers Football 76 card notes "'Sherman' as he was known at Chelsea, joined Leicester from Crystal Palace for £100,000 in 1971. At home both in midfield and up front". The Football 77 card adds "Versatile player who has moved around the country.... Striker at one time but now more midfield". In 1976 Alan Birchenall was loaned out to Notts County. He also began playing in the United States in the off-season. In September 1977 he was transferred to Notts County, then in the Second Division. His Leicester career had lasted for 163 League games. He made 28 League appearances for County in 1977/78, in midfield, without scoring a goal. His contract was cancelled in April 1978. He played another summer in the U.S., and was picked up by Blackburn Rovers upon his return, making 18 League appearances for Rovers in the 1978/79 season which saw them finish at the bottom of the Second Division. Birchenall had, however, been transferred again in March 1979 to Luton Town, fellow strugglers in the Division. Birchenall appeared twice for Luton at the start of the 1979/80 season, before moving on to Hereford United, a team struggling in Division Four after two successive relegations. Birchenall made only 11 League appearances before ending his time with Hereford in January 1980. Alan Birchenall played more than 450 games in the Football League. Despite his substantial transfer fees he made only four England Under 23 appearances, and was never awarded a full cap. He has written an autobiography, entitled 'Bring back the Birch'. In 1983 Alan Birchenall began work in public relations at Leicester City, a position he still holds today. He also began a charity football team and annual fun run. He was awarded an M.B.E. in 2002 for his charity work. |
 1969/70 FKS Publishers Wonderful World of Soccer Stars, No. 32  1969/70 IPC Magazines My Favourite Soccer Stars, Buster, No. 17  1970/71 FKS Publishers Wonderful World of Soccer Stars, No. 76  1970/71 The Sun Soccer Swap Cards, No. 96  1972/73 Top Sellers Football 72, No. 83  1972/73 A&BC Gum Footballers (Orange/Red backs), No. 208  1976/77 Top Sellers Football 76, No. 157 |
|
Football cards issued in the period 1965/66 to 1979/80 (note: this is an incomplete list, and will updated as new information is obtained). |
| Season | Maker | Set | Team | Card ref. |
| 1968/69 | A&BC Gum | Footballers, Yellow backs, Series 2 (055-101) | Chelsea | 67 of 47 |
| 1968/69 | FKS Publishers | The Wonderful World of Soccer Stars | Chelsea | 32 of 330 |
| 1969/70 | A&BC Gum | Football Facts, Green backs, Series 2 (065-117) | Chelsea | 71 of 53 |
| 1969/70 | FKS Publishers | The Wonderful World of Soccer Stars | Chelsea | 32 of 330 |
| 1969/70 | IPC Magazines / Fleetway | My Favourite Soccer Stars (Blue backs), Buster | Chelsea | 17 of 32 |
| 1970/71 | A&BC Gum | Footballers, Orange backs, Series 3 (170-255) | Crystal Palace | 236 of 86 |
| 1970/71 | FKS Publishers | The Wonderful World of Soccer Stars | Crystal Palace | 76 of 420 |
| 1970/71 | The Sun | Football Swap Cards | Crystal Palace | 96 of 134 |
| 1971/72 | A&BC Gum | Footballers, Purple backs, Series 1 (001-109) | Crystal Palace | 46 of 109 |
| 1971/72 | FKS Publishers | The Wonderful World of Soccer Stars | Crystal Palace | 46 of 330 |
| 1970s | B.A.B. Products | Shooting Stars | Leicester City | |
| 1970s | B.A.B. Products | Footballers (shields) | Leicester City | |
| 1972/73 | A&BC Gum | Footballers, Orange/Red backs | Leicester City | 208 of 219 |
| 1972/73 | Americana | Soccer parade | Leicester City | 118 of 340 |
| 1972/73 | Barratt & Co | Soccer Stars | Leicester City | 13 of 50 |
| 1972/73 | FKS Publishers | The Wonderful World of Soccer Stars | Leicester City | 136 of 330 |
| 1972/73 | Top Sellers | Football 72 | Crystal Palace | 83 of 420 |
| 1973/74 | A&BC Gum | Footballers, Blue backs, Series 1 (001-131) | Leicester City | 24 of 131 |
| 1973/74 | FKS Publishers | The Wonderful World of Soccer Stars | Leicester City | 118 of 304 |
| 1973/74 | Top Sellers | Football 73 | Leicester City | 154 of 420 |
| 1974/75 | FKS Publishers | The Wonderful World of Soccer Stars | Leicester City | 147 of 320 |
| 1974/75 | Top Sellers | Football 74 | Leicester City | 160 of 420 |
| 1975/76 | FKS Publishers | The Wonderful World of Soccer Stars | Leicester City | 127 of 360 |
| 1975/76 | Top Sellers | Football 75 | Leicester City | 149 of 420 |
| 1976/77 | Top Sellers | Football 76 | Leicester City | 157 of 420 |
| 1976/77 | Top Sellers | Football 77 | Leicester City | 140 of 420 |
| 1976/77 | Topps Chewing Gum | Footballers - Blue/Grey back | Leicester City | 268 of 330 |
| 1977/78 | Americana | Football Special 1977/78 | Leicester City | 152 of 368 |
| 1977/78 | FKS Publishers | Soccer Stars | Leicester City | 172 of 400 |
| 1978/79 | Topps Chewing Gum | Footballers - Orange back | Notts County | 122 of 396 |