Mark Burchill

Mark James Burchill (born 18 August, 1980) is a Scotland professional Association football player, currently playing for the Football League Two side Rotherham United F.C.

Career

Celtic

Mark grew up in Livingston, Scotland, West Lothian, Scotland, where he attended St. Mary's Academy (Bathgate) followed by St. Margaret's Academy (Livingston) where his footballing ability became apparent.

Burchill began his career at Scottish club Celtic F.C. for the 1997-98 in Scottish football. 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, making his debut against Bosnia-Herzegovina national football team in October 1999. Burchill holds the record for scoring the fastest hat-trick in a European match, while playing for Celtic against Jeunesse Esch of Luxembourg in 2000.

However, successive 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 F.C.. 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 immediately sent on another 6 month loan until the season's end at Ipswich Town F.C..

Portsmouth

During the off-season Burchill was signed by Portsmouth F.C. for £1 million. He showed his massive potential immediately 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 in English football 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 in English football 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 permanent. Starting the 2004-05 in English football as 5th choice striker, Burchill went on loan to Rotherham United F.C., hoping to impress enough to restart his career. However, after only a month he was injured and returned to Portsmouth, where he was pushed further down the pecking order by the return to fitness of long-term injured striker Vincent Pericard.

Hearts

On 28 January, 2005, Burchill was allowed to leave Portsmouth on a free transfer after spending two years out of favour, he chose to sign for Hearts F.C. where he remained until the end of the season.

Dunfermline

On 6 July, 2005, he joined Dunfermline Athletic F.C. where he scored 12 league goals in 31 games in his first season, despite the club struggling in the bottom half of the table. He signed a years extension to his contract with "the Pars" in December 2006 In April 2008, Dunfermline manager Jim McIntyre (footballer) announced that Burchill had been offered a new contract but had decided to leave the Scottish Football League First Division side in order to "pursue other avenues".

Rotherham United

On June 11 2008, Burchill signed a two-year-deal with Rotherham United F.C., where he previously enjoyed a loan spell during their Football League Championship campaign. He got his first goal for the Millers in the 1-1 draw away at Dagenham & Redbridge F.C..