Chris Birchall

However, one of them, a 22nd-minute winner over Bristol Rovers in the FA Cup, was enough to book the Vale a Third round encounter with Doncaster Rovers, which left the club one win away from a lucrative encounter with Aston Villa at Villa Park.

His first senior goal was a 76th-minute winner against Swindon Town on 19 October.

He also scored a brace against Tranmere Rovers on 7 December in a 3–1 home win.

At the end of the season he was voted the Young Player of the Year.

Christopher Birchall CM (born 5 May 1984) is a former professional footballer who played as a midfielder.

He scored 21 goals in 322 league and cup appearances in a 16-year professional career, and scored four goals in 44 international matches for Trinidad and Tobago.

He made his debut under Brian Horton on 12 September 2001, replacing Neil Brisco 79 minutes into a 2–0 Second round exit of the League Cup at Charlton Athletic's The Valley stadium.

On 20 April 2002 he made his league debut, again replacing Brisco, this time in a 1–0 defeat by Brighton at Vale Park.

"'I came up through the ranks at Port Vale from the age of 8 until I left the club at 22. I owe all the coaching to them, they nurtured me and really looked after me and had confidence in me.'"

He made two Second Division appearances in 2002–03, both away defeats.

The teenager earned his first start on 18 October 2003, he was taken off at half-time for Ian Armstrong, as he watched his teammates lose 5–1 at home to Plymouth Argyle.

He also played in both games of the club's First round FA Cup struggle over minnows Ford United.

In all he made thirteen appearances in 2003–04.

It was throughout the 2004–05 campaign that Birchall showed his potential, scoring seven goals in 39 games.

Birchall scored twice in 32 appearances in the 2005–06 season.

Forging his career with local club Port Vale, he earned worldwide recognition by playing at the 2006 FIFA World Cup for Trinidad and Tobago – the country of his mother's birth.

His exploits led to a move up the leagues to Coventry City later that year.

After short loan spells with Scottish side St Mirren and Carlisle United, he moved on to Brighton & Hove Albion.

In July 2006, with the World Cup still in progress, Martin Foyle denied reports that his young midfielder would be exiting Vale Park, specifically for Ipswich Town.

The next month Birchall was snapped up by Micky Adams' Coventry City for a fee of £300,000 (rising to £325,000 with bonuses), signing a three-year deal with the "Sky Blues".

He scored his first "Sky Blues" goal against Norwich City with a 20 yd low drive.

He made 28 appearances in the second tier that season.

In August 2007, Birchall signed with St Mirren on loan until January 2008.

However, he returned to Coventry in early December, after suffering a hamstring injury.

He only played just two games for the "Sky Blues" following his return.

Not a part of Chris Coleman's plans for 2008–09, John Ward of Carlisle United expressed an interest in August 2008, and had admitted speaking to the player's agent.

He had also been linked with a return on loan to his former club, Port Vale.

In November, Birchall signed for Carlisle on loan until the end of the year, having taken advice from teammate Keiren Westwood.

When returning to Coventry, he agreed to have his contract terminated by mutual consent.

The midfielder also opted not to return to Carlisle, after negotiations with an unnamed American club.

In 2009, he moved to the US to sign with MLS club LA Galaxy.

Whilst with the Galaxy, the club were crowned Major League Soccer Western Conference champions in 2009 and 2011, and also captured a Supporters' Shield and MLS Cup double in 2011.

In January 2009, Birchall joined League One side Brighton & Hove Albion on an initial week-trial with a view to earning a contract.

He later signed a contract until the end of the season, teaming up with his old Coventry boss Micky Adams.

Three months later Brighton chairman Dick Knight blocked a move to Major League Soccer club LA Galaxy, telling Birchall he would not be allowed to leave the club on a free transfer.

Despite this setback, Birchall seemed set on a move to the American franchise.

He joined Columbus Crew for a six-month spell in May 2012.

He rejoined Port Vale in January 2013, and helped the club to secure promotion out of League Two in 2012–13.

He dropped into non-League in September 2016 by joining Kidsgrove Athletic.

Birchall attended Alleyne's High School in Stone, Staffordshire, and started his career with Port Vale, having been associated with the Burslem based club since the age of nine.