| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Wilfred Birkett[1] | ||
| Date of birth | (1922-06-26)26 June 1922[1] | ||
| Place of birth | Haydock,[1] England | ||
| Date of death | 24 December 1993(1993-12-24) (aged 71)[1] | ||
| Place of death | Haydock,[1] England | ||
| Height | 5 ft9+1⁄2 in (1.77 m)[2] | ||
| Position | Goalkeeper | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| Haydock C & B | |||
| 1944–1946 | Everton | 0 | (0) |
| 1946–1952 | Southport | 162 | (0) |
| 1952–1953 | Shrewsbury Town | 20 | (0) |
| 1953–1954 | Southport | 15 | (0) |
| 1958–196? | Wigan Athletic | ||
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Wilfred Birkett (26 June 1922 – 24 December 1993) was an English professionalfootballer who made nearly 200 appearances in theFootball League playing as agoalkeeper forSouthport andShrewsbury Town.
Birkett was born inHaydock,Lancashire, in 1922. He joinedEverton from Haydock Cricket and Bowling Club during the Second World War, but never played for their first team, and moved on toSouthport in November 1946.[1] He spent six years at Southport, then lost his place toRay Minshull and signed for a season withShrewsbury Town, when he was noted as a "Fine goalkeeper" despite being deaf.[3] Returning to Southport in 1953, he regained his first-team place but was forced to retire on medical advice because his right shoulder was prone to dislocation.[2][4] He remained at the club as assistant trainer for four years, and then spent 12 years as trainer atnon-league clubWigan Athletic. He played for them occasionally, notably in the first round proper of the1962–63 FA Cup againstGateshead; Wigan lost 2–1.[2][5]
After retirement from playing football he was employed in the Parks Department of the municipal council atAshton-under-Lyne.[3] Birkett died at his Haydock home in 1993 at the age of 71.[2]
Two brothers,Ronnie andCliff, were also professional footballers.[6]
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