Since his role in helping this country qualify for the 2006 World Cup, English-born midfielder Chris Birchall has enjoyed two sides of the glory that comes with such as achievement.
First up the 21-year-old Port Vale warrior has had several clubs knocking on his door in England such as Norwich City, Preston North End and Swindon Town.
But along with that he has also had to put up with Port Vale fans who have had a go at him for committing to Trinidad and Tobago and missing out some of the season for them.
Since Birchall joined the “Soca Warriors” last May for matches against Peruvian club Alianza Lima and Panama, he has been a fixture in Leo Beenhakker’s team which has seen him having to depart Port Vale at regular points during the season .
“It’s not something I regret but while life has been great since we qualified with all the hype and everything I have also had to put up with the fans who think that I have chosen Trinidad and Tobago over Port Vale. In some way they think I have turned my back on the club,” Birchall said.
“It worries me a bit but at the same time I am not going to allow it to affect how I feel and what I have going on with the national team. All the guys and the other people in T&T have accepted me and I couldn’t have asked for more.”
Birchall has one more season following the current one left on contract with Vale. He also lined up for the Reserves in a 2-1 win over Stockport County on Monday in which local striker Hector Sam netted the winner