| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Edward Lawson Birnie | ||
| Date of birth | 25 August 1878 | ||
| Place of birth | Sunderland, England | ||
| Date of death | 21 December 1935(1935-12-21) (aged 57) | ||
| Place of death | Westcliff-on-Sea,Essex, England | ||
| Position | Centre half | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1898–1903 | Newcastle United | 19 | (0) |
| 1905–1906 | Crystal Palace | 22 | (0) |
| 1906–1909 | Chelsea | 101 | (3) |
| 1910 | Tottenham Hotspur | 4 | (1) |
| Total | 146 | (4) | |
| Managerial career | |||
| 1922–1934 | Southend United | ||
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Edward Lawson Birnie (25 August 1878 – 21 December 1935) was an English professional football player and manager. He played for Sunderland Seaburn,Newcastle United,Crystal Palace,Chelsea andTottenham Hotspur[1] In his managerial career, he took on the reins atSouthend United, staying in charge of the seaside club until his retirement in 1934.[2]
Born inSunderland, Birnie began his career at local club Sunderland Seaburn before joining Newcastle United. The commandingcentre half played in 19 matches between 1898 and 1903. Birnie went on to play for Crystal Palace where he featured in 29 matches in all competitions (22league).[3] In August 1906 he joinedChelsea, making his debut on 8 September 1906 in a 0–0 draw away atBlackpool.[4] Birnie participated in 108 games in all competitions and scored on three occasions for theStamford Bridge club.[5] After Chelsea decided against renewing his contract, Tottenham Hotspur signed him in 1910, playing in four matches and scoring a single goal atWhite Hart Lane.[6]
After his playing career had ended, Birnie joined German club1. FC Mülheim as a coach. He then had spells as a trainer atSunderland andRochdale. In 1922 he became manager of Southend United and spent 12 seasons in charge of the club, becoming the only manager to preside over a Southend team for more than 500 matches (April 2009). Birnie retired in May 1934, but would be beset with ill-health and died in December 1935 aged 57.[2]
| Team | Nat | From | To | Record | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | W | D | L | Win % | ||||
| Southend United |  | 1921 | 1934 | 571 | 218 | 118 | 235 | 038.18 |
| Total | 571 | 218 | 118 | 235 | 038.18 | |||