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Wilf Birkett

Real Name: Wilfred Birkett
Normal Position: Goalkeeper
Height: 5' 9 1/2
Weight: 11st 2lbs
Born: 26/06/1922 (Haydock)
Died: 24/12/1993 (Haydock)

Wilf BirkettA spectacular and daring goalkeeper, Wilf first played for Southport as a war-time guest, making his debut against Blackburn Rovers on 14 November 1944. At Everton he was kept in the background due to the consistency of Sagar and Burnett. Though dogged by many injuries he often turned out when less than 100% fit and rendered yeoman service even when playing under a handicap. In a war-time match at Liverpool in December he was beaten 12 times despite a brilliant performance and collapsed through sheer exhaustion just before the finish. He was at his best when Southport were really up against it — diving at the forwards' feet and rescuing his side from hopeless situations. His famous stentorian clearance cries — he was rather deaf — made him one of the game's characters. With the arrival of Ray Minshull he was transferred to Shrewsbury Town in 1952 but, though returning for 1953-54, was forced to retire because of a recurrent shoulder injury. He spent four more years at Haig Avenue as assistant trainer and then moved to Wigan Athletic, soon becoming first team trainer. He held this position for 12 years and was employed in the Parks Department of Ashton UDC. When over 40 he came out of retirement in an emergency to help the Latics in an F.A. Cup-tie at Gateshead. An attender at both the 1981 and 1991 club reunions, his health declined over a period of 15 months, but his death came suddenly at home on Christmas Eve, 1993.



Player Match Stats


Statistics include the following competitions
FA Cup , FA Trophy , Football League Cup, League, PLAY OFFS , Welsh Cup,

Season Apps Subs Goals
1945/1946 000
1946/1947 3000
1947/1948 2200
1948/1949 3600
1949/1950 4400
1950/1951 2800
1951/1952 1400
1953/1954 1800
Total 192 0 0

Last 10 games where player was named on the team sheet

Date Competition Venue Opponents Score
13/02/1954 LeagueA CHESTER (1885) 0 - 1
06/02/1954 LeagueA ROCHDALE 0 - 2
30/01/1954 LeagueH WREXHAM 4 - 0
23/01/1954 LeagueH YORK CITY 1 - 1
16/01/1954 LeagueA SCUNTHORPE UNITED 1 - 1
02/01/1954 LeagueH WORKINGTON 1 - 1
01/01/1954 LeagueH BARNSLEY 5 - 2
28/12/1953 LeagueA BRADFORD PA 1 - 1
25/12/1953 LeagueH BRADFORD PA 1 - 0
19/12/1953 LeagueA GATESHEAD 0 - 1

Last 10 games where player started

Date Competition Venue Opponents Score
13/02/1954 LeagueA CHESTER (1885) 0 - 1
06/02/1954 LeagueA ROCHDALE 0 - 2
30/01/1954 LeagueH WREXHAM 4 - 0
23/01/1954 LeagueH YORK CITY 1 - 1
16/01/1954 LeagueA SCUNTHORPE UNITED 1 - 1
02/01/1954 LeagueH WORKINGTON 1 - 1
01/01/1954 LeagueH BARNSLEY 5 - 2
28/12/1953 LeagueA BRADFORD PA 1 - 1
25/12/1953 LeagueH BRADFORD PA 1 - 0
19/12/1953 LeagueA GATESHEAD 0 - 1

Related News Articles

On This Day: December 8th

by Daniel Hayes -

Today we head back to 1951 where Carlisle United were the visitors to Haig Avenue. Whilst Southport did secure the win, the game was more significant for the weather. The Liverpool Echo reported that a "waterlogged ground made conditions difficult at Haig Avenue but Southport went mudlarking in great style". Injuries however

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