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I removed a statement about Graham playing for Burnley for the majority of his career, as this wasn’t true.
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{{short description|English footballer}}
{{Football player infobox |
playername = Graham Branch |
{{for|the tributary in Delaware|Graham Branch (Tubbs Branch tributary)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2022}}
image = |
{{Use British English|date=June 2016}}
fullname = Graham Branch|
{{Infobox football biography
nickname = Graham di Branchio, Branchy, Krusty |
| name = Graham Branch
height = {{height|ft=6|in=2}} |
| image = Graham Branch.jpg
dateofbirth = {{birth date and age|1972|2|12}} |
| caption = Branch on the day of his Burnley testimonial in 2007
cityofbirth = [[Liverpool]] |
| fullname = Graham Branch<ref name="Hugman2003-04">{{Cite book | editor-first = Barry J. | editor-last = Hugman | title = The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2003/2004 | year = 2003 | publisher = Queen Anne Press | isbn = 1-85291-651-6 | page = 58 }}</ref>
countryofbirth = [[England]] |
| height = {{height|ft=6|in=2}}<ref name="Hugman2003-04"/>
currentclub = [[Burnley F.C.|Burnley]] |
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1972|2|12|df=y}}<ref name="Hugman2003-04"/>
clubnumber = 15 |
| birth_place = [[Liverpool]], England
position = Left Winger |
| currentclub =
years = 1991-1998 <br /> 1992 <br /> 1997-1998 <br /> 1998-1999 <br /> 1999- |
| position = [[Left-back]], [[left midfielder]]
clubs = [[Tranmere Rovers F.C.|Tranmere Rovers]] <br>→ [[Bury F.C.|Bury]] ''(loan)'' <br>→ [[Wigan Athletic]] ''(loan)'' <br /> [[Stockport County]] <br /> [[Burnley F.C.|Burnley]] |
| years1 = 1990-1991
caps(goals) = 102 (10) <br> 4 (1) <br> 3 (0) <br /> 14 (3) <br /> 264 (17) |
| clubs1 = [[Heswall F.C.|Heswall]]
youthyears = |
| years2 = 1991–1998
youthclubs = |
| clubs2 = [[Tranmere Rovers F.C.|Tranmere Rovers]]
nationalyears = |
| caps2 = 102
nationalteam = |
| goals2 = 10
nationalcaps(goals) = |
| years3 = 1992–1993
pcupdate = 17/3/2007 |
| clubs3 = → [[Bury F.C.|Bury]] (loan)
ntupdate = |
| caps3 = 4
| goals3= 1
| years4 = 1997–1998
| clubs4 = → [[Wigan Athletic F.C.|Wigan Athletic]] (loan)
| caps4 = 3
| goals4 = 0
| years5 = 1998–1999
| clubs5 = [[Stockport County F.C.|Stockport County]]
| caps5 = 14
| goals5 = 3
| years6 = 1999–2007
| clubs6 = [[Burnley F.C.|Burnley]]
| caps6 = 264
| goals6 = 17
| years7 = 2007–2008
| clubs7 = [[Accrington Stanley F.C.|Accrington Stanley]]
| caps7 = 22
| goals7 = 0
| years8 = 2008
| clubs8 = [[Cammell Laird 1907 F.C.|Cammell Laird]]
| caps8 =
| goals8 =
| years9 = 2008–2010
| clubs9 = [[Colwyn Bay F.C.|Colwyn Bay]]
| caps9 =
| goals9 =
| totalcaps = 409
| totalgoals = 31
}}
}}
'''Graham Branch''' (born 12 February 1972) is a former professional [[association football|footballer]].


==Playing career==
'''Graham Branch,''' (born [[12th February]], [[1972]] in [[Liverpool]]), is a highly versatile [[Football (soccer)|footballer]] currently playing for [[Burnley F.C.]] A childhood [[Liverpool F.C. |Liverpool]] fan, he started his footballing career across the [[River Mersey]] as a trainee with [[Tranmere Rovers F.C.|Tranmere Rovers]]. Having made 109 appearances for them, with loan deals at [[Bury F.C.|Bury]] and [[Wigan Athletic F.C.|Wigan Athletic]] along the way, he was released on a free transfer to [[Stockport County F.C.|Stockport County]] for the beginning of the [[1998-99 in English football|1998-99 season]], and quickly arrived at [[Turf Moor]] around [[Christmas]] in 1998 when signed by the colourful manager [[Stan Ternent]], following a falling-out with then Stockport manager, [[Gary Megson]].
Branch was born in [[Liverpool]], England. A childhood [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]] fan, he started his footballing career across the [[River Mersey]] with Heswall<ref>{{cite web |title=Graham Branch |url=https://www.11v11.com/players/graham-branch-859/ |website=11v11}}</ref> and then [[Tranmere Rovers F.C.|Tranmere Rovers]]. Having made 109 appearances for them, with loan deals at [[Bury F.C.|Bury]] and [[Wigan Athletic F.C.|Wigan Athletic]] along the way, he was released on a free transfer to [[Stockport County F.C.|Stockport County]] for the beginning of the [[1998-99 in English football|1998–99 season]], and quickly arrived at Burnley in January 1999, signed by the colourful manager [[Stan Ternent]], following a falling-out with then Stockport manager, [[Gary Megson]].


Once described by Ternent as a [[FA Premier League|Premiership]]-standard player, his inability to hold down a regular position either as a [[left-winger]], left-sided or central [[Defender (football)|defender]], or [[striker]], has seen him play mostly in the lower leagues. This coupled with a self-confessed lack of confidence has meant that the player has struggled to impress sections of the fans, even though he has played well over 200 games for the club. His unpopularity with some supporters has however been balanced with him becoming something of a [[cult figure]], earning him regular chants of "Graham di Branchio," (in reference to the [[football chant]] given to Italian footballer [[Paolo Di Canio]]), in an effort to boost his confidence and let his more prominent abilities such as pace and height come to the fore.
Once described by Ternent as a [[FA Premier League|Premiership]]-standard player, his inability to hold down a regular position either as a [[Winger (sports)|left-winger]], left-sided or central [[Defender (football)|defender]], or [[Striker (association football)|striker]], saw him never play there. He played more than 200 games for the club. His unpopularity with some supporters was balanced with him becoming something of a [[cult figure]], earning him regular chants of "Graham di Branchio," (in reference to the [[football chant]] given to Italian footballer [[Paolo Di Canio]]), in an effort to boost his confidence and let his more prominent abilities such as pace and height come to the fore.


The 2005-06 season held even more promise for the player after his hard work and commitment paid off after he was offered a new 1 year extension to his current deal. Although he only scored 2 goals he played a large role in many victories due to his skill and crossing abilities. Branch was awarded a testimonial in the 2006-07 season, one widely expected to be his last with Burnley. He started that season as a little-used substitute or squad player.
Branch's contract was set to expire at the end of the 2004–05 season before he earned a one-year extension in April 2005.<ref>{{cite news|title=Branch pens new deal at Burnley|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/burnley/4474711.stm|accessdate=26 February 2014|newspaper=[[BBC Sport]]|date=22 April 2005}}</ref> The [[2005-06 in English football|2005–06]] season held even more promise for the player after his hard work and commitment paid off after he was offered a new one-year extension to his current deal.<ref>{{cite news|title=Branch signs new Clarets contract|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/burnley/4949966.stm|accessdate=26 February 2014|newspaper=[[BBC Sport]]|date=27 April 2006}}</ref> Although he only scored two goals he played a large role in many victories due to his skill and crossing abilities. The [[2006-07 in English football|2006–07]] was widely expected to be his last with Burnley and he spent it as a little-used substitute or squad player. However, the season was dedicated as an entire testimonial season for him,<ref>{{cite news|title=Branch's big year|url=http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/952780.print/|newspaper=[[Lancashire Telegraph]]|date=4 October 2006}}</ref> culminating on 7 May 2007, when 1,809 fans turned out at [[Turf Moor]] to say goodbye to him. In his testimonial, the current Burnley side played a 'Branch XI'. Although no official announcement had been made by that stage, Branch's departure had been confirmed by [[Steve Cotterill]] in interviews leading up to this testimonial match. His departure was confirmed on 8 May 2007.


In March 2010 he was forced to retire from football after suffering a serious eye injury whilst playing for [[Colwyn Bay F.C.|Colwyn Bay]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Geldart|first=Suzanne|title=Former Burnley star not bitter after eye injury forced him to quit|url=http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/5073690.Former_Burnley_star_not_bitter_after_eye_injury_forced_him_to_quit/|newspaper=[[Lancashire Telegraph]]|date=20 March 2010}}</ref>
He capped off a glorious career with Burnley by sending Leeds spiralling to League One on April 14th at Elland Road as his last minute goal in a 1-0 win for Burnley mathematically sealed Burnley's safety and sent Leeds through the trapdoor.


==External links==
==References==
{{reflist}}
*{{soccerbase|id=917|name=Graham Branch}}


==External links==
{{Burnley F.C. Squad}}
*{{Soccerbase}}
[[Category:1972 births|Branch, Graham]]
[[Category:Living people|Branch, Graham]]
[[Category:English footballers|Branch, Graham]]
[[Category:Tranmere Rovers F.C. players|Branch, Graham]]
[[Category:Bury F.C. players|Branch, Graham]]
[[Category:Wigan Athletic F.C. players|Branch, Graham]]
[[Category:Stockport County F.C. players|Branch, Graham]]
[[Category:Burnley F.C. players|Branch, Graham]]


{{DEFAULTSORT:Branch, Graham}}
[[sl:Graham Branch]]
[[Category:1972 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Footballers from Liverpool]]
[[Category:English men's footballers]]
[[Category:Men's association football midfielders]]
[[Category:Men's association football defenders]]
[[Category:English Football League players]]
[[Category:Tranmere Rovers F.C. players]]
[[Category:Bury F.C. players]]
[[Category:Wigan Athletic F.C. players]]
[[Category:Stockport County F.C. players]]
[[Category:Burnley F.C. players]]
[[Category:Accrington Stanley F.C. players]]
[[Category:Cammell Laird 1907 F.C. players]]
[[Category:Colwyn Bay F.C. players]]

Latest revision as of 01:18, 8 December 2023

For the tributary in Delaware, see Graham Branch (Tubbs Branch tributary).

Graham Branch
Branch on the day of his Burnley testimonial in 2007
Personal information
Full name Graham Branch[1]
Date of birth (1972-02-12) 12 February 1972 (age 52)[1]
Place of birth Liverpool, England
Height 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)[1]
Position(s) Left-back, left midfielder
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1990-1991 Heswall
1991–1998 Tranmere Rovers 102 (10)
1992–1993 → Bury (loan) 4 (1)
1997–1998 → Wigan Athletic (loan) 3 (0)
1998–1999 Stockport County 14 (3)
1999–2007 Burnley 264 (17)
2007–2008 Accrington Stanley 22 (0)
2008 Cammell Laird
2008–2010 Colwyn Bay
Total 409 (31)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Graham Branch (born 12 February 1972) is a former professional footballer.

Playing career

[edit]

Branch was born in Liverpool, England. A childhood Liverpool fan, he started his footballing career across the River Mersey with Heswall[2] and then Tranmere Rovers. Having made 109 appearances for them, with loan deals at Bury and Wigan Athletic along the way, he was released on a free transfer to Stockport County for the beginning of the 1998–99 season, and quickly arrived at Burnley in January 1999, signed by the colourful manager Stan Ternent, following a falling-out with then Stockport manager, Gary Megson.

Once described by Ternent as a Premiership-standard player, his inability to hold down a regular position either as a left-winger, left-sided or central defender, or striker, saw him never play there. He played more than 200 games for the club. His unpopularity with some supporters was balanced with him becoming something of a cult figure, earning him regular chants of "Graham di Branchio," (in reference to the football chant given to Italian footballer Paolo Di Canio), in an effort to boost his confidence and let his more prominent abilities such as pace and height come to the fore.

Branch's contract was set to expire at the end of the 2004–05 season before he earned a one-year extension in April 2005.[3] The 2005–06 season held even more promise for the player after his hard work and commitment paid off after he was offered a new one-year extension to his current deal.[4] Although he only scored two goals he played a large role in many victories due to his skill and crossing abilities. The 2006–07 was widely expected to be his last with Burnley and he spent it as a little-used substitute or squad player. However, the season was dedicated as an entire testimonial season for him,[5] culminating on 7 May 2007, when 1,809 fans turned out at Turf Moor to say goodbye to him. In his testimonial, the current Burnley side played a 'Branch XI'. Although no official announcement had been made by that stage, Branch's departure had been confirmed by Steve Cotterill in interviews leading up to this testimonial match. His departure was confirmed on 8 May 2007.

In March 2010 he was forced to retire from football after suffering a serious eye injury whilst playing for Colwyn Bay.[6]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2003). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2003/2004. Queen Anne Press. p. 58. ISBN 1-85291-651-6.
  2. ^ "Graham Branch". 11v11.
  3. ^ "Branch pens new deal at Burnley". BBC Sport. 22 April 2005. Retrieved 26 February 2014.
  4. ^ "Branch signs new Clarets contract". BBC Sport. 27 April 2006. Retrieved 26 February 2014.
  5. ^ "Branch's big year". Lancashire Telegraph. 4 October 2006.
  6. ^ Geldart, Suzanne (20 March 2010). "Former Burnley star not bitter after eye injury forced him to quit". Lancashire Telegraph.
[edit]
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