Birchall announces retirement from Soca Warriors

Twenty-nine year old Trinidad and Tobago midfielder Chris Birchall officially announced his retirement from international football today, which brought an end to an eight-year spell in the national red, black and white strip.

Birchall, who was a member of the recent 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup squad, said his decision was motivated by a desire to re-invigorate his professional career with present England League One employer, Port Vale.

Photo: Trinidad and Tobago midfielder Chris Birchall. (Courtesy theoffside.com)
Photo: Trinidad and Tobago midfielder Chris Birchall.
(Courtesy theoffside.com)

“I have thought long and hard about my decision and although it is a very difficult decision for me to make, I believe it’s the correct one,” said Birchall, via an email. “I would like to concentrate on my club football with Port Vale FC and give my best for the years I have left with them.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank many people that have made my international career possible and colourful throughout.”

Birchall, who was born in England to a Trinidadian mother, joined the “Soca Warriors” in 2005 after an approach by then Wrexham defender Dennis Lawrence. Lawrence asked Birchall if he had Trinidadian blood and the spiky midfielder replied “me mum”, which immediately became his nickname on local football forum, SocaWarriors.net.

He went on to play 43 times for Trinidad and Tobago and his last cap came as a late substitute in last month’s Gold Cup quarterfinal match against Mexico, which the Warriors lost 1-0.

Birchall scored four times for the Warriors and his most memorable strike came in the Germany 2006 World Cup qualifying campaign when his fine volley, on 12 November 2005, salvaged a 1-1 home tie against Bahrain in the Play-Offs. Four days later in the second leg, Lawrence headed in the winner from a Dwight Yorke corner as Trinidad and Tobago became the smallest nation to qualify for a senior FIFA World Cup tournament.

Photo: Chris Birchall (left) tries to get a shot past Sweden midfielder Tobias Linderoth during the 2006 World Cup finals. Sweden and Trinidad and Tobago played to a goalless draw in Dortmund.
Photo: Chris Birchall (left) tries to get a shot past Sweden midfielder Tobias Linderoth during the 2006 World Cup finals.
Sweden and Trinidad and Tobago played to a goalless draw in Dortmund.

Birchall’s future international involvement was, arguably, blighted by a bonus dispute between the World Cup players and the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (TTFF), which prompted an international ban on the midfielder for a year and a half and was the start of a bleak period for the national team. After 22 caps and three goals in his first year as an international player, Birchall made just 21 appearances with a solitary item in his next seven years with the Warriors.

His club career also stuttered as Birchall played for six clubs in as many years, including US Major League Soccer (MLS) teams Los Angeles Galaxy and Columbus Crew, before rejoining Vale as a free agent in January 2013.

Birchall withdrew his suit against the TTFF in 2008 and settled privately. He expressed his gratitude to former FIFA vice-president and Chaguanas West MP Jack Warner for the opportunity to represent the Warriors.

“Mr Jack Warner made it all possible for me and I will always be eternally thankful to him for introducing me to the start of my journey with the team,” said Birchall. “He made me and my family very welcome to the country and gave my mother a chance to come home to Trinidad.”

Birchall also thanked former TTFF liaison and football agent, Mike Berry, and his international coaches over the years, particularly World Cup 2006 coach and present Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) director of football, Leo Beenhakker.

Photo: Coach Leo Beenhakker (centre), Trinidad and Tobago World Cup captain Dwight Yorke (left) and the country's record goal scorer Stern John at the 2006 World Cup. Chris Birchall (background centre) and Dennis Lawrence (background right) follow closely behind.
Photo: Coach Leo Beenhakker (centre), Trinidad and Tobago World Cup captain Dwight Yorke (left) and the country’s record goal scorer Stern John at the 2006 World Cup.
Chris Birchall (background centre) and Dennis Lawrence (background right) follow closely behind.

He singled out several of his former World Cup teammates too and TTFA administrator Peter Rampersad for their support and friendship over the years.

And there was a special acknowledgement to the Trinidad and Tobago public that he described as “the most important people of all.”

“Never did I think I would be accepted in the manner of which I did,” said Birchall. “The support I have received over the years has been phenomenal and I think it was made easier due to my fighting spirit and hard attitude on the pitch.

“It is hard to call it a day but if I have left just one historic memory with the fans then I have achieved much more than I ever dreamed imaginable with the team. I have always tried to give 100% on the pitch and give my all for the nation whenever called upon and wear the shirt with pride as I know how many people would die for my opportunity.

“So, with pride, I announce my international retirement and look forward to seeing future Soca Warriors represent the country under the special guidance of (our) coaches and TTFA president Mr Raymond Tim Kee.”

TTFA president Raymond Tim Kee (on Chris Birchall’s resignation):

“We would like to acknowledge the letter sent by Christopher Birchall indicating his decision to retire from international football and the national team. We at the TTFA, and I speak on behalf of the coaches, his teammates and the local fraternity, take this opportunity to wish Chris the very best for the future and his career at the club level. His services to our country’s national team have been of tremendous significance and played a great role in our thrust forward. His goal in the opening leg of the playoff versus Bahrain remains etched in our minds.”

 

Editor’s Note: Click here to read Chris Birchall’s retirement letter.

More from Wired868
T&T fall 1-0 to Jamaica in friendly; fans again unable to watch team

The Trinidad and Tobago Men’s National Senior Team lost 1-0 to Jamaica tonight in a friendly contest at the Montego Read more

They remind me of me! Yorke names Zoom Zoom, Sween in T&T squad to face Jamaica

Seventeen-year-old St Benedict’s College student Derrel “Zoom Zoom” Garcia is set to make his national senior international debut away to Read more

“A footballer of extraordinary skill and vision”, TTFA acknowledges passing of Leroy De Leon

“[…] Leroy De Leon was not only a footballer of extraordinary skill and vision but also an ambassador for the Read more

Soca Warriors travel to Jamaica for two February friendlies, as Yorke and McClaren square off

The Trinidad and Tobago Men’s National Senior Team will play two friendlies away to Jamaica on 6 and 9 February, Read more

Yorke starts T&T coaching era with 3-1 loss to Saudi Arabia in closed door friendly

Trinidad and Tobago Men’s National Senior Team head coach Dwight Yorke started his era in charge of the Soca Warriors Read more

Yorke names first 23-man squad, as Soca Warriors head for Saudi friendly

Dwight Yorke will make his debut as Trinidad and Tobago Men’s National Senior Team head coach in a friendly away Read more

Check Also

T&T fall 1-0 to Jamaica in friendly; fans again unable to watch team

The Trinidad and Tobago Men’s National Senior Team lost 1-0 to Jamaica tonight in a …

2 comments

  1. Good luck to you, we will miss you!!!!

  2. Yea buddy we’ll miss you sad to see you go. All the best.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.