Rob Burch (footballer)

Robert Keith Burch (born 8 October 1983) is an English retired footballer who played as a goalkeeper and is now goalkeeping coach at Fulham.

Rob Burch
Personal information
Full name Robert Keith Burch[1]
Date of birth (1983-10-08) 8 October 1983
Place of birth Yeovil, England
Height 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2002–2007 Tottenham Hotspur 0 (0)
2003 → Woking (loan) 6 (0)
2004 → Stevenage Borough (loan) 2 (0)
2004–2005 → West Ham United (loan) 0 (0)
2005 → Stevenage Borough (loan) 1 (0)
2005 → Bristol City (loan) 0 (0)
2007 → Barnet (loan) 6 (0)
2007–2008 Sheffield Wednesday 2 (0)
2008–2010 Lincoln City 92 (0)
2010–2012 Notts County 15 (0)
Total 124 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Club career

Burch turned professional with Tottenham Hotspur in July 2002 and spent a further five years at the club after signing professional forms.

During that time Burch was loaned out to Conference clubs Woking, in 2003, and Stevenage Borough, in 2004, to gain some first-team experience.

On 10 December 2004 he joined West Ham United on a month's loan to act as cover for Stephen Bywater whilst James Walker recovered from a groin operation; he was given the squad number 41.[2] With Walker returning to fitness, Burch returned to Spurs at the end of the month's loan.[3] In his time at Upton Park he was an unused substitute on six occasions. Indeed, injuries restricted Burch to just seven reserve team appearances in 2004–05.

On 31 August 2005 he joined Bristol City on an initial one-month loan deal, being given the squad number 23.[4] In his time at Ashton Gate, Burch acted as understudy to Steve Phillips whilst the club underwent a change of management with Gary Johnson succeeding Brian Tinnion. Johnson extended Burch's loan period for a second month[5] to enable him to take a closer look at the keeper. However, Burch sustained a knee injury[6] which saw the arrival of Adriano Basso at the club and his return to Tottenham Hotspur.[7]

He finally made his Football League debut on loan at Barnet when he was signed on an emergency 28-day loan on 30 January 2007. He made his debut for the Bees against Notts County.

Burch was released from his contract by Tottenham on 19 May 2007 and signed for Sheffield Wednesday on 2 July.[8] He made his Wednesday debut on 28 August in a 2–1 League Cup second round victory over Hartlepool United. He was released by the club at the end of the season after playing just three competitive matches. Burch agreed to sign for Lincoln City on 30 June 2008.[9]

Burch rejected a new contract with Lincoln in May 2010 and on 8 June he signed a two-year deal for League One club Notts County on a free transfer, after his contract with Lincoln City expired.[10][11]

In May 2012 he was released by the club, along with 12 other players.[12]

Coaching career

On 21 June 2019, Fulham announced Burch as their new goalkeeping coach having previously held coaching roles with Tottenham Hotspur and The Football Association.[13]

International career

Burch is a former England Under-20 keeper.

Personal life

Robert Burch grew up in West Camel with his parents Keith and Barbara, as well as his older sister Fran. He attended Countess Gytha Primary School in Queen Camel.[14] After primary school Rob attended Ansford Community School in Ansford, which is now known as Ansford Academy.[15] Burch proposed to his girlfriend on the This Morning television programme on 14 February 2008. She is a producer on the show, and he surprised her backstage with a little help from Fern Britton The couple were married in 2009.[16]

References
  1. "List of Players under Written Contract Registered Between 01/06/2010 and 30/06/2010" (PDF). The Football Association. Retrieved 19 July 2010.
  2. "Burch signs on loan". West Ham United F.C. 10 December 2004. Archived from the original on 17 September 2012. Retrieved 19 March 2010.
  3. "Squad to face Canaries". West Ham United F.C. 7 January 2005. Archived from the original on 17 September 2012. Retrieved 19 March 2010.
  4. "Burch joins on loan". Bristol City F.C. 31 August 2005. Archived from the original on 24 February 2012. Retrieved 19 March 2010.
  5. "Burch's loan deal extended". Bristol City F.C. 29 September 2005. Archived from the original on 24 February 2012. Retrieved 19 March 2010.
  6. "Basso earns extended stay". Bristol City F.C. 6 October 2005. Archived from the original on 24 February 2012. Retrieved 19 March 2010.
  7. "Basso set for bench place". Bristol City F.C. 21 October 2005. Archived from the original on 24 February 2012. Retrieved 19 March 2010.
  8. tottenhamhotspur.com – Player Update
  9. www.redimps.premiumtv.co.uk – Jacko Hails 'Major Signing'
  10. "Chris Sutton looks for new keeper to replace Rob Burch". BBC Sport. 17 May 2010. Retrieved 8 June 2010.
  11. "Notts sign Lincoln keeper Burch". BBC Sport. 8 June 2010.
  12. "Curle Confirms Retained List". Notts county FC. 9 May 2012. Archived from the original on 14 June 2012. Retrieved 9 May 2012.
  13. – Rob Burch Appointed Goalkeeping Coach
  14. , Double helping of fun for villagers.
  15. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 12 April 2012. Retrieved 2 April 2012.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link), Ansford Academy official site.
  16. "Rob Pops The Question Live on TV!". Sheffield Wednesday F.C. 14 February 2008. Retrieved 16 February 2008.
  • Robert Burch at Soccerbase (Soccerbase have spread Burch's stats over two pages)
  • Robert Burch at Soccerbase (Soccerbase have spread Burch's stats over two pages)
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