Walter Birch (footballer)

For other people with the same name, see Walter Birch (disambiguation).

James Walter Birch (5 October 1917 – 1991) was an English footballer who played as a central defender for Rochdale.

Walter Birch

Personal information
Full name	James Walter Birch
Date of birth	(1917-10-05)5 October 1917
Place of birth	Ecclesfield
Date of death	1991(1991-00-00) (aged 73–74)
Position(s)	Central Defender
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1939	Huddersfield Town	0	(0)
1946-1953	Rochdale	243	(10)
Total		243	(10)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

In May 1939 he signed professional forms with Huddersfield Town but never made a first team appearance, due to the outbreak of World War II.

During the war he played in the war-time league for Huddersfield Town, Mossley, Oldham Athletic, Leeds United and Rochdale.

In August 1946, he made his debut for Rochdale, and over seven seasons, he clocked up 243 league appearances and 10 goals, mostly from the penalty spot. He retired in 1953.

Birch died in 1991.^[1][2][3]

References

1. Rochdale AFC: The Official History 1907–2001 by Steven Phillipps. ISBN 1874427097
2. https://www.enfa.co.uk (subscription required)
3. "Leeds United F.C. History".