Birch ‘A Real Legend Of The Club’, Says Rodgers

Foundation
11 May 2019
1 Minute
Ahead of Alan ‘The Birch’ Birchenall’s 39th Annual End of Season Run, manager Brendan Rodgers has emphasised the importance of the Club Ambassador’s role at Leicester City.

- Brendan Rodgers praises the efforts of Alan Birchenall prior to the Club Ambassador’s Annual End of Season Run
- Birch will be raising funds for The Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha Foundation ahead of Sunday’s clash with Chelsea
- Supporters can donate on the day, as well as online or by text

The Birch’s monumental efforts have seen him raise over £1M for local charities over nearly four decades of work in Leicester, and Sunday will be no different.

Rodgers has seen that first hand since his arrival in February, and says he continues to learn a great deal about the Football Club when chatting with the former Foxes midfielder.  

Rodgers said of Birch: “He’s a wonderful guy, I have to say. He’s a real character and I love having guys like that about… the real legends of the Club and the game because that’s what football’s about.

“Sitting down and having a bit of lunch and having a cup of tea and just talking about the stories of Leicester and the great things that have happened here, and obviously the unfortunate things.

When I talk to Birch – and he probably wouldn’t know it – I get a little bit of gold dust from him. Every time we speak, he sprinkles something on there of the history of the Club which I take on board.

Brendan Rodgers

“He’s so, so important. He does a wonderful job. His energy and his enthusiasm that he brings in every day... When Birch is around, there’s a smile, there’s a laugh, he’s happy.”

Birch’s run will this season raise funds for The Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha Foundation, which under its previous name – the LCFC Foxes Foundation – has raised almost £2M for local charities.

Rodgers added: “When I talk to Birch – and he probably wouldn’t know it – I get a little bit of gold dust from him. Every time we speak, he sprinkles something on there of the history of the Club which I take on board.

“He’s a wonderful guy and he’s raised so much money for the charity over 39 years or so, which is absolutely incredible, so he deserves all the support and I’m sure he’ll look forward to it again.”

How to donate:

Online: Visit the JustGiving website at justgiving.com/VSfoundation

Text: Simply text LCFC33 with the amount to 70070 to donate.