I felt Bromley move was right for me, says star striker Adam Birchall

ADAM BIRCHALL says he has turned down offers from professional football clubs to sign for part-timers Bromley.



The star striker was released by League One side Gillingham this month after a three-year stay at Priestfield Stadium and put pen to paper to sign for Conference South Bromley last Wednesday.

Birchall said he enjoyed his special time at Gillingham.

“Thanks to all the Gillingham fans for their unbelievable support over the past few seasons,” said Birchall, 29. 

“They have always made me feel welcome and always backed me every time I played, which was special for me.

“I can’t wait to get started with Bromley now and move on with my career.

“I won the League (Two title) last year which was amazing and happy to say that I’ve played as a League One player.”

When asked how he felt when Gills boss Peter Taylor released him, Birchall admitted: “I knew my release was coming as the club told me the year before.”

Maidstone-born Birchall started his career in the youth ranks at Arsenal between 1994-2003, but didn’t make a first team appearance in his two seasons as a professional at the Premier League club.

He scored five goals in 15 appearances on loan at League Two Wycombe Wanderers during season 2004-2005, before spending the next two seasons at their league rivals Mansfield Town, where he scored 3 goals in 42 appearances for The Stags.

His next move took him to Barnet – again in League Two - where he scored 26 goals in 119 appearances for the Bees between 2006-2009.

Andy Hessenthaler enticed him to drop down two leagues to sign for Dover Athletic where the striker scored 18 goals in 43 appearances for the Conference South outfit during season 2009-2010.

But Birchall broke a Conference South record the following season when he netted 45 goals in 50 appearances for the Crabble outfit –  managed by former Arsenal player Martin Hayes - scoring the most FA Cup goals than anybody else that season, which took the Kent club to the Third Round for the first time.

Birchall received national acclaim when he scored both goals in the 2-0 win over Aldershot Town in the Second Round at Crabble.

Birchall joined Gilligham in the summer of 2011 on a three-year contract, but suffered a serious knee injury in one of his first games for the club, which ruled him out of the entire season.

He eventually made his competitive debut as a sub in the 2-1 win over Bristol City in the first round of the Capital One Cup in August 2012.

A few months later, via his first loan spell at Dartford, he scored what turned out to be his one and only goal for the Gills in a 4-0 victory over Scunthorpe United at Priestfield Stadium.

Last season he joined Conference Premier side Dartford once more, scoring twice, before returning to Gills where he came off the bench twice in matches against Crawley Town and Leyton Orient.

Birchall scored 3 goals in 31 appearances for Dartford and made 20 appearances for Gillingham and is now looking forward to a successful career at Hayes Lane.

Bromley manager Mark Goldberg guided the club to their best ever finish in Conference South last season when the club finished in third-place.

Their promotion hopes were dented, however, when they suffered a 4-1 aggregate defeat to Ebbsfleet United in the play-off semi-finals.

“I had some professional offers and some non-league offers,” revealed Birchall.

“But after speaking to Mark Goldberg, I felt it was right for me as everything we discussed suited what I wanted moving forward in my career.”

When asked what the Hayes Lane faithful can expect from the club’s biggest ever signing, Birchall replied: “I always play football to do my best and to do what I can so nothing will change for this season.

“I’m really looking forward to playing for Bromley Football Club and I will work my hardest for the fans and the club and I thank the fans for all the nice messages welcoming me.”

Birchall says he’s an aspiring coach and coaches the Gunners youngsters in Essex.

“My coaching is going well thanks,” said Birchall.

“I’m currently coaching for Arsenal at their Academy at Hale End so really improving from this as well as coaching with Pro Soccer Academy based in Maidstone.”

Visit Bromley’s website: www.bromleyfc.net