Gary Birch
| Date of birth | 08 October 1981 |
| Place of birth | Birmingham |
| Nationality | English |
| Weight | 80 kg |
| Height | 1.83 m |
| Position | Forward |
Birch impressed in his appearances for Walsall and Exeter City during 2000-01.
As a young Walsall striker, he scored on his debut in senior football for the Saddlers against Wigan Athletic in an LDV Vans Trophy tie in January 2001.
He moved on loan to Exeter City in March and did well in his spell with the Devon club, scoring two goals and quickly became a favourite with the club's fans.
Enthusiastic, quick and skilful, Birch has a good eye for goal and is always looking to punish defenders.
Birch signed a new one-year contract with Walsall in May 2004 but joined Kidderminster Harriers in December 2004 with a contract to the end of the season.
He joined Lincoln City in July 2005 with a one-year contract that was extended to June 2007 in July 2006.
Club history
| Team | Joined | Left | Loan / Trialist |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walsall | 31 Oct 1998 | 14 Dec 2004 | |
| Exeter City | 22 Mar 2001 | 05 May 2001 | L |
| Exeter City | 10 Aug 2001 | 10 Nov 2001 | L |
| Nuneaton Borough | 13 Dec 2001 | 02 Mar 2002 | L |
| Barnsley | 25 Mar 2004 | 09 May 2004 | L |
| Kidderminster Harriers | 14 Dec 2004 | 30 Jun 2005 | |
| Lincoln City | 01 Jul 2005 | 11 Jan 2007 | |
| Tamworth | 10 Aug 2006 | 10 Sep 2006 | L |
| Hucknall Town | 27 Oct 2006 | 27 Nov 2006 | L |
Club stats
| Season | Team | Competition | Apps | Subs | Goals | Y | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000-01 | Exeter City | League Division 3 | 6 | 3 |
2 |
1
|
|
| 2000-01 | Walsall | LDV Vans Trophy | 2 | 1 |
|||
| 2001-02 | Exeter City | LDV Vans Trophy | 1 | 1 |
|||
| 2001-02 | Exeter City | League Division 3 | 5 | 10 |
2
|
||
| 2001-02 | Walsall | League Division 1 | 1 |
||||
| 2002-03 | Walsall | League Cup | 1 |
||||
| 2002-03 | Walsall | League Division 1 | 6 | 13 |
1 |
1
|
|
| 2003-04 | Barnsley | League Division 2 | 8 | 2 |
1
|
||
| 2003-04 | Walsall | FA Cup | 1 |
1
|
|||
| 2003-04 | Walsall | League Cup | 1 |
||||
| 2003-04 | Walsall | League Division 1 | 25 | 10 |
4 |
1
|
|
| 2004-05 | Kidderminster Harriers | League Two | 11 | 3 |
3 |
||
| 2004-05 | Walsall | LDV Vans Trophy | 2 | 1 |
|||
| 2004-05 | Walsall | League Cup | 1 | ||||
| 2004-05 | Walsall | League One | 11 | 2 |
2 |
2
|
|
| 2005-06 | Lincoln City | FA Cup | 2 | ||||
| 2005-06 | Lincoln City | LDV Vans Trophy | 1 | ||||
| 2005-06 | Lincoln City | League Cup | 2 | 2 |
|||
| 2005-06 | Lincoln City | League Two | 23 | 14 |
8 |
1
|
|
| 2005-06 | Lincoln City | League Two Play-Offs | 1 |
Please note: Career stats are based on performances in the Premier and Football Leagues and (in most cases all) internationals.
Club matches
| Date | Match | Result | Competition | Round | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27 Mar 2004 | Swindon Town v Barnsley | D | 1-1 | League Division 2 | |
| 03 Apr 2004 | Barnsley v Plymouth Argyle | W | 1-0 | League Division 2 | |
| 10 Apr 2004 | Rushden and Diamonds v Barnsley | W | 2-3 | League Division 2 | |
| 12 Apr 2004 | Barnsley v Queens Park Rangers | D | 3-3 | League Division 2 | |
| 17 Apr 2004 | Barnsley v Brentford | L | 0-2 | League Division 2 | |
| 24 Apr 2004 | Tranmere Rovers v Barnsley | L | 2-0 | League Division 2 | |
| 02 May 2004 | Barnsley v Bristol City | L | 0-1 | League Division 2 | |
| 08 May 2004 | Stockport County v Barnsley | W | 2-3 | League Division 2 | |
Please note: Match history is complete for the Premier and Football Leagues and (in most cases all) internationals.