Leonard Birks (6 October 1896 – 22 March 1975) was an English footballer who played as a defender. Born in Fenton, Staffordshire, he started his career with Port Vale before spending seven years at Sheffield United. After leaving Bramall Lane, he played for Plymouth Argyle, Bristol City and Yeovil & Petters United, as well as having a spell as first-team coach at Bristol City.
Career Birks joined Port Vale from Butt Lane Star in May 1920. He made his Second Division debut in 1920–21, but remained a fringe player in 1921–22, despite lifting the North Staffordshire Infirmary Cup in 1922. However, he missed just one game of the 1922–23 campaign, and was an ever-present in 1923–24. He retained his first-team place in the highly successful 1924–25 season, but with dependable young left-back Jimmy Oakes waiting in the reserves to take his place, manager Joe Schofield decided to cash in on Birks.
He was sold to Sheffield United for 'a substantial sum' in October 1924 as the Blades sought a replacement for regular left-back Ernest Milton. Birks initially failed to settle at Bramall Lane however, and missed out on a place in the 1925 FA Cup final with the ageing Milton being preferred. Never a fully established first-team player, Birks did give good service to the Blades during his time playing over 200 games in all competitions.
After leaving United in February 1931, Birks joined with Plymouth Argyle. Competing with former England international Fred Titmuss for the left-back position, he made 49 league and cup appearances before departing Home Park for Bristol City in April 1933. He later played non-League football for Yeovil & Petters United, before returning to Bristol to work as first-team coach.
Career statistics
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueFA CupTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsPort Vale1920–21Second Division1000101921–22Second Division6000601922–23Second Division410004101923–24Second Division420104301924–25Second Division11000110Total1010101020Sheffield United1924–25First Division210102201925–26First Division240202601926–27First Division300103101927–28First Division410804901928–29First Division330103401929–30First Division410204301930–31First Division501060Total19501602110Plymouth Argyle1930–31Second Division120001201931–32Second Division310003101932–33Second Division601070Total49010500Bristol City1933–34Third Division South30040340Career total37502203970
References