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Alan Birchenall is turning 80 today. A big congratulation with Birch. He is part of the furniture in Leicester. His contribution to the club and the city is well documented by most.
He first came to Leicester as a player in 1971. He stayed until 1977 and left to become a member of Notts County. He had previously had a short loan saying with the Magpies, a club known at Birch. His father was a dedicated fan of Notts County.
Leicester had just been promoted from the second layer. The team was back in the best party after it had fallen a few seasons. Jon Sammels and Keith Weller were also brought in to help the team. They have successfully led Leicester to safety.
Jon Sammels, earlier in June of this year, unfortunately Keith Weller died in 2004, at the age of only 58.
Birch has never had any problems connecting with people. His friendly face and appearance made people always felt safe and welcome. After you have met him several times, in different environments in and around the club, you understand that very well.
He was celebrated earlier today in Seagrave, together with the current players in the club. He returned to Leicester after his football career ended. It was in the early 80s. He helped club relationships in different roles and institutions. He was once even asked to take on the role as the first team care manager.
He represented a number of football clubs during his time as a player. He also went abroad to play, once on loan at San Jose, in the NASL. This was in 1977, played 17 games and scored 3 goals. The owner of this football team was Milan Mandarisch. The relationship between Mandarische and Berken became crucial in a well -known takeover. This happened in 2007, almost 30 years after their first connection.
Happy Birthday, Birch 💙
A special day in Seagrave while our legendary club ambassador turns 80 🎂 pic.twitter.com/9UKNKJV2U
– Leicester City (@LCFC) August 22, 2025
Looking back on the time that Birch played at San Jose -Paves, you start to understand what NASL made possible. The trips abroad to this competition gave you connections worldwide. We may remember the big stars and English players who have been moved over the pond. In the past ten years, however, this has really saved and built those fantastic years of this football club.
His coach at San Jose Earthquakes was Momcilo Gavric. Birch played alongside Yugoslav international Miroslav Pavlovic. Pavlovic played 46 times for Yugoslavia. He had reached his mid -thirty when he played for earthquakes. Pavlovic played his last international in the World Cup vs. Sweden from 1974.
Earthquakes were a mix of many different nationalities, mostly Yugoslav and English players, possibly influenced by a certain Milan Mandarisch. Trevor Hockey was at the same time in the club with Birch. A number of more unknown players from the football competition had also found their place in the Earthquakes team.
The earthquakes of then apologized from 1973 to 1988 and played in three different competitions in those years. They played in Nasl, fail and WSA. Today you also have a team called San Jose Earthquakes in the MLS. They were founded in 1994.
Hopefully a great day for Alan Birchenall who has a grand career in English football with Sheffield United, Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Leicester, Notts County, Blackburn, Luton and Hereford, which lasts from 1963 to 1980. If he played for San Joselles and Mermphis.
The very best to birch on his 80th birthday. We have great memories of many player of the year ceremonies. We also remember a special tour around Belviour Drive and other times that saw him in different environments.
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