Arthur Birtles (born 22 May 1944) is an English former professional footballer who played as a winger. He made over 400 appearances in the Football League during a career spanning two decades, primarily with Chesterfield, Mansfield Town, and Notts County.
Playing Career
Birtles began his professional career with his hometown club, Chesterfield, making his debut in 1962. He quickly established himself as a quick and skillful winger, becoming a regular in the team. He spent five seasons with the club, making over 150 league appearances before moving to Mansfield Town in 1967.
At Mansfield, Birtles continued his impressive form, playing a crucial role in the team for another four seasons. He then joined Notts County in 1971, where he experienced further success. During his time at Meadow Lane, he was part of the squad that achieved promotion from the Fourth Division to the Third Division.
Later in his career, Birtles also had spells with Southend United and Boston United before retiring from professional football.
| Club | Years | Appearances (League) | Goals (League) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chesterfield | 1962–1967 | 152 | 26 |
| Mansfield Town | 1967–1971 | 149 | 26 |
| Notts County | 1971–1974 | 104 | 13 |
| Southend United | 1974–1975 | 35 | 3 |
| Boston United | 1975–1976 | 27 | 1 |
| Total | 467 | 69 |
(Note: Appearance and goal statistics typically refer to Football League matches only.)
Managerial Career
After retiring as a player, Arthur Birtles briefly ventured into management. He served as manager of Boston United from 1975 to 1976, initially as a player-manager. He later had a spell in charge of Worksop Town.