Former Aston Villa footballer Paul Birch dies
Feb 2 2009 EXCLUSIVE by Lisa Smith
Blair, who last saw his friend two weeks ago, added: "He was a fantastic lad and the tenacity and courage he used to fight his illness were just the same attributes he showed on the pitch. This is a very, very sad day for us all and everyone at Aston Villa."
Birch began his career as a Villa youth player and broke into the side for odd games before becoming a regular first-team player in the 1983/84 season.
He made his league debut on 29 August 1983 in a 1-0 win at home to Sunderland. During Villa's decline he was the mainstay of their midfield - able to play on the right or in the centre - and through his tenacious performances became a Holte End favourite.
However, when Jozef Vengloš became Villa manager in 1990, Birch found himself out of the team and was sold to second flight Wolverhampton Wanderers in early 1991 for £400,000 where he joined up with former manager Graham Turner. He had served Aston Villa for over 10 years and was awarded a testimonial by the club against Wolves in August 1991.
Birch stayed at Wolves for five years as the club tried to break into the Premier League. He was almost an ever-present under Turner, but found regular appearances harder to come by after Wolves appointed another former manager of his, Graham Taylor.
He was finally released by Wolves in the summer of 1996, finishing his career with spells at Doncaster Rovers and Exeter City before retiring from professional football.
In May 2008, it was revealed he was suffering from bone cancer and friends and former team-mates rallied round by setting up a trust fund in his name.
After a long battle and spells of chemotheraphy, Paul was recently allowed home from hospital where he was cared for with the help of Macmillan nurses, but he was readmitted two weeks ago after being given the dreadful news that his condition had deteriorated.
Birch leaves a young daughter.
Tributes began pouring into the Birmingham Mail forums:
Rip birchy great villa player of the 80s & 90S .
tilton1875
Its a sad day.
Proper footballer who always played the game full of heart passion and desire there aint many players these days that you could say they genuinely love playing for the shirt.
RIP birchy all my repect you were a great hard working villian. My heart goes out to your family.
Sorry to hear this. RIP.
block23steve
Blues fan here.
Terrible news - i think local rivalries just do not matter when something as sad as this happens to a fellow human being. Football is only a game when you hear about these things.
My thoughts are with his Paul's family.
SpookyUK
RIP my son, you will live on in the minds and hearts of Villains everywhere.
Spook
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