Warrior Profile: Chris “Me Mum” Birchall

Saturday 12th November, 2005. T&T are playing Bahrain in the Hasley Crawford Stadium in Trinidad. It is the first encounter for these two teams, and both are hungry for World Cup glory. The winner of this encounter just might take it all the way to Germany.

It’s a tough game for both sides. The Bahrainis are putting pressure on T&T’s midfield, crowding them into near uselessness. Their inspired goalkeeper, Hussan Ali, repeatedly frustrates the T&T strikers. In the seventh minute, he deflects Chris Birchall’s first attempt on goal. Fortunately for T&T, it wouldn’t be Birchall’s last try.

72 minutes in – disaster strikes. Bahrain’s Salman Isa Ghulum Ali’s header drives past goalie Kelvin Jack. The Bahrainis are one up against the Warriors.

The Warrior Nation are tense. The stadium is silent.

Wait – what – YES! Four minutes later and Chris Birchall has scored! A stunner from 25 yards outside the box. 30,000 fans go mad.

1-1 at the final whistle.

Chris Birchall had written himself into the hearts of the people, not to mention the history books. But who was this mysterious young man man? And why was he – white?

Ah, the race thing. Newspapers all over the world trumpted – “Chris Birchall – first white guy to represent Trinidad in over 60 years.” Birchall’s deft crosses, his indefatigable pace, his impressive ball control, the fact that he’s only 21 – these were scarcely noted in the discussions of T&T’s ‘great white hope.’

Could he really be Trinidadian? Indeed he is – his mother was born in Port of Spain, the nation’s capital. Hence his nickname – Birchall had responded to a question about his right to Warrior status with the simple phrase: “me mum.” Birchall himself was born and had spent his life in England. He plays for Port Vale FC, where he has distinguished himself in attack and midfield.

Birchall had done his nation proud before, although far fewer people had been witness to his ability. His national debut for the T&T senior team earlier that year had ended with him being named man of the match. He scored T&T’s only goal against Honduras in the 2005 Gold Cup – a beauty from twenty five yards out that allowed T&T to escape with a 1-1 draw. Sound familiar?

Yes, but – he’s white. And? So are more than 60,000 people in Trinidad. The islands of T&T are hugely diverse, in both ethnic and religious terms. Our ancestors come from Africa, Asia and Europe. Our indigenous peoples – the many tribes who made up the Amerindians – survive today.

Trinidad and Tobago is a place of many complexities. Chris Birchall is a young man of many talents. Both have much to prove in June.