Gary Birch Leaves Lincoln City

Lincs. UK Banner Exchange

19th July 2006

Lincoln City FC have won the battle of wills with striker Gary Birch, although both parties could yet prove the loser, as Birch has left the club.

It is a far cry from June 21st when Lincoln City announced that Birch had written to accept his new contract offer. Birch quickly responded via the local media to say that he had merely written to the club to request more talks over his future.

Birch's original request was for a two-year contract, which would provide the security for his pregnant wife and he to move to Lincoln from his West Midlands' home.

That offer was not forthcoming, so Birch's next request was to query his role for the forthcoming season, after last season saw him dropped to the substitutes' bench from January onwards. Imps' Head Coach John Schofield responded by saying that Birch had the same chance as everyone else of making the first team.

Birch's final request was for midweek accommodation money, to enable him to live in Lincoln during the week, thereby meaning that he could dispense with his daily commuting from the West Midlands.

Last night, talks on all these points broke down and Lincoln City FC officially withdrew their contract offer to Birch. This means that last season's second highest scorer follows fellow strikers Marvin Robinson and Simon Yeo through the exit door of Sincil Bank.