Aylesbury United have pulled off a major coup by signing Queens Park Rangers fans’ favourite Marc Bircham, after the former international star asked to play for the club.
United announced the signing of the former Canadian international, famous for sporting blue and white hair during his playing days at QPR, on Saturday.
And Ducks boss Tony Joyce says he simply could not turn down the opportunity after Bircham – who is still the reserve team manager at Premier League Rangers – put himself forward to play alongside brother Lee at United.
“He’s not a bad player!” Joyce quipped.
“He’s got over 100 games for QPR, over 20 games for his country Canada. He’s not going to play every game for us. But he can help us out as and when.
“He will give us a bit of experience and some knowhow. When somebody of that calibre asks to play for you, you aren’t going to say no are you?
“I didn’t expect to get someone of his calibre. He’s still reserve team manager at QPR. He just asked if he could join our squad on the odd occasion.
“Hopefully he will play more games. It all depends on his other commitments.”
United suffered a narrow 2-1 defeat to landlords Leighton Town in a pre-season friendly on Saturday.
Ducks took an early lead at Bell Close through Steve Hatch but Leighton hit back in the second half and got a winner when Enzo Silvestri , a familiar face to United fans after a number of spells in the green and white, popped up to score.
The defeat did nothing to dampen Joyce’s jovial mood as he insisted, with his tongue firmly in his cheek, that his side could go on to win the FA Cup this season ... starting with victory over fellow non-league side Enfield 1893 on Saturday.
“It’s a tough one. We’re two good non-league sides,” Joyce said.
“I think we will win the FA Cup to be honest! It would be nice to go at least a couple of rounds.”
Meanwhile, United will face neighbours and fellow Premier Division rivals Berkhamsted in the first round of the Challenge Trophy on Saturday September 22 after the draw was made this week.
