Trevor Birch remembers Shrewsbury Town stint fondly
He is embarking on one of the biggest challenges of his professional life, but Trevor Birch can still find time to reminisce fondly on his time in Shropshire.
The former striker tasted championship success with Town in 1979 under current Greenhous Meadow boss Graham Turner within two months of his arrival from Liverpool, where he came through the youth ranks.
And, while he moved on to Chester in the following summer after a record of four goals in 25 league appearances, Birch still cherishes the Gay Meadow section of his career.
"It was obviously very different from what I knew at Liverpool so there was a bit of a culture shock there," said Birch, now administrator of financially-troubled Portsmouth.
"But they were great days. I wish I had probably been a little bit more successful but we won the league in the first season I joined so the memories were very positive.
"Graham was the manager in those days and he doesn't look as though he has changed.
"He was very straight forward and a good, nice guy. I enjoyed playing under him with the likes of Paul Maguire, Steve Biggins, Jake King, Ken Mulhearn and Jimmy Lindsay. There were some great characters and great players."
Birch has undertaken a string of administrative jobs since his playing days, filling the role of chief executive at English giants Chelsea, Leeds and Everton.
And he is now trying to steer Portsmouth to safety after the former Premier League club's well-documented troubles.
"There is a challenge here," added the 54-year-old. "You look around and you can see from the atmosphere what a great club it is – you can't let a club like this die.
"With that kind of pressure, you realise you have to work very hard to save it.
"It's looking brighter but there are still some hurdles ahead we need to deal with."
