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Birchall has been with Coventry since joining the club for a fee of £325,000 in August 2006 from Port Vale, then City boss Micky Adams signing the Stafford-born midfielder after Chris had made some impressive performances in the 2006 World Cup for Trinidad and Tobago. The 24-year old qualifying for the Soca Warriors through his mother who was born in Port of Spain in Trinidad.
Internationally Chris having picked up 31 caps and scored four goals for his adopted nation to date, his debut coming in a 4-0 friendly victory over Bermuda in May 2005, while his last match was a 3-0 win over Cuba in a World Cup 2010 qualifier just last week. A full resume of the Midlander's international career being available HERE on the excellent Soca Warriors website.
Back at home Birchall came through the youth ranks at Port Vale where he made 58 starts, 32 substitute appearances and scored nine goals after making his debut in a 2-0 Carling Cup defeat at Charlton in September 2001. His stay with Coventry, after his move from Vale Park, being interrupted by a five month loan move to St Mirren on transfer deadline day of August 2007.
His stay with the Buddies, after making five starts and four substitute appearances, being cut short in December of that year as a pulled hamstring meant that he returned early to the Ricoh Arena. His two and a half year stay with Coventry has seen so far make just 19 starts, 14 substitute appearances and score two goals, with he himself telling the Trinidad Express in October that he felt his days in the Midlands were numbered, Chris commenting :
"I think my career at my club is over to be honest. I don't think Coventry will take much notice of my performance (in the international match against the United States). I think their mind is made up, and that is fair enough. I will go back and speak to the manager and probably move on and play some good football then because I think my fitness is back and it is the right time to move on. It is the right time for me to go."
First Team Transfers 2008-09 : Click here