Mark Burchill
Mark Burchill is a Scottish football (soccer) player, born in 1980. He is a striker, and currently plays for Portsmouth F.C. in England.
Burchill began his career at Scottish club Glasgow Celtic F.C. for the 1997/98 season. In his first three seasons with the club he scored 20 Scottish Premier League goals in only 17 starts, with 33 appearances as a substitute. This prolific return saw him gain a place in the Scotland national football team.
However, sucessive managers failed to see the Scotland international as a part of the first team picture. The signing of £6million Chris Sutton further pushed Burchill down the pecking order, and in September 2000 moved to Birmingham City F.C. on a 6 month loan, making his debut in a 2-0 home win over Tranmere Rovers.
Burchill went on to score five goals in 17 games (10 as a substitute) during the spell. Birmingham wanted to complete the deal but couldn't agree personal terms with the player.
Following his loan at Birmingham, Burchill was immediatley sent on another 6 month loan until the season's end at Ipswich Town F.C..
During the off-season Burchill was signed by Portsmouth for £1 million. He showed his massive potential immediatly at his new club. After making his debut against Stockport County F.C. he netted a brace in his next game against Grimsby Town F.C..
However, he then suffered a knee injury after less than a month which put him out of action for 10 months. He recovered in time to start the 2002/03 season in fantastic form, but more injuries meant he fell down the pecking order, and was loaned out to Dundee F.C. in from February 2003 to the end of the season.
During the 2003/04 season he was loaned out to firstly to Wigan Athletic F.C., and then Sheffield Wednesday F.C.. However, he failed to score for either club and neither moved to make the deal permanant.
Starting the 2004/05 season as 6th choice striker, Burchill went on loan to Rotherham United F.C., hoping to impress enough to gain a transfer away from Portsmouth and restart his career.
