Birchall fully focused on club commitments
The SentinelTHIS afternoon's World Cup draw will bring back happy memories for Chris Birchall, but matters in Burslem rather than Brazil are at the forefront of his mind these days.
Eight years ago, Birchall was in the Crown Hotel in Stone to watch the draw for the 2006 World Cup finals in Germany.
The midfielder, from Yarnfield, was practically dancing on the ceiling when his Trinidad and Tobago side were paired in the same group as England.
He went on to represent club and country with distinction as Vale's first-ever World Cup finalist helped Trinidad to a draw with Sweden before they suffered 2-0 defeats to England and Paraguay.
That was the highlight of an international career which ended last month when Birchall played his last game for the Soca Warriors in a 2-0 home victory over Jamaica.
The 29-year-old, who qualifies because his mum, Jenny, was born in Trinidad, had retired from international football in the summer, but was invited back for a farewell game.
He said: "I can't believe it is eight years since that draw.
"I was just a whippersnapper then and it was one of the most exciting times of my life.
"I'm sorry to be saying goodbye to football with Trinidad and Tobago because I appreciate everything they have done for me.
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