Chris Birchall: No longer a player but always a fan

Departing midfielder Chris Birchall has confirmed he has left the Valiants in an Instagram posting.

Birchall confirmed his departure with the simple but evocative lines – “Thanks to all the Vale fans for their support over the years. No longer a player but always a fan.”

Thanks to all the Vale fans for their support over the years. No longer a player but always a fan…

Birchall, the club’s most-capped International, was offered a reduced contract at the end of last season.

The former Trinidad and Tobago International progressed through the youth ranks and had two spells with the club making over 150 appearances for the Valiants and scoring 17 times.

After failing to agree a new contract with Vale this summer, Birchall spent a brief trial period with former Vale manager Rob Page at Northampton before a similar trial with the Valiants when he was named as a sub for the friendly match with Wolves.

However, despite his involvement in the club’s last friendly game, Birchall has confirmed he has left the club.