Robert Keith Burch (born 8 October 1983) is an English football coach and former professional footballer who works as an assistant coach at Major League Soccer club Colorado Rapids.
As a player he was goalkeeper in a career that lasted from 2002 until 2012. Having come through the youth academy at Tottenham Hotspur he went on to notably feature for several seasons at Lincoln City and amassed 92 of his 124 league appearances for the Imps. He also played for Woking, Stevenage, West Ham United, Bristol City, Barnet, Sheffield Wednesday and Notts County.
Club career Burch turned professional with Tottenham Hotspur in July 2002 and spent a further five years at the club after signing professional forms.
During that time Burch was loaned out to Conference clubs Woking, in 2003, and Stevenage Borough, in 2004, to gain some first-team experience.
On 10 December 2004 he joined West Ham United on a month's loan to act as cover for Stephen Bywater whilst James Walker recovered from a groin operation; He was given the squad number 41. With Walker returning to fitness, Burch returned to Spurs at the end of the month's loan. In his time at Upton Park he was an unused substitute on six occasions. Indeed, injuries restricted Burch to just seven reserve team appearances in 2004–05.
On 31 August 2005 he joined Bristol City on an initial one-month loan deal, being given the squad number 23. In his time at Ashton Gate, Burch acted as understudy to Steve Phillips whilst the club underwent a change of management with Gary Johnson succeeding Brian Tinnion. Johnson extended Burch's loan period for a second month to enable him to take a closer look at the keeper. However, Burch sustained a knee injury which saw the arrival of Adriano Basso at the club and his return to Tottenham Hotspur.
He finally made his Football League debut on loan at Barnet when he was signed on an emergency 28-day loan on 30 January 2007. He made his debut for the Bees against Notts County.
Burch was released from his contract by Tottenham on 19 May 2007 and signed for Sheffield Wednesday on 2 July.tottenhamhotspur.com – Player Update He made his Wednesday debut on 28 August in a 2–1 League Cup second round victory over Hartlepool United. He was released by the club at the end of the season after playing just three competitive matches. Burch agreed to sign for Lincoln City on 30 June 2008.www.redimps.premiumtv.co.uk – Jacko Hails 'Major Signing'
Burch rejected a new contract with Lincoln in May 2010 and on 8 June he signed a two-year deal for League One club Notts County on a free transfer, after his contract with Lincoln City expired.
In May 2012 he was released by the club, along with 12 other players.
Career statistics + Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsTottenham Hotspur2002–03Premier League00000000002003–04Premier League00000000002004–05Premier League00000000002005–06Premier League00000000002006–07Premier League0000000000Total0000000000Woking (loan)2002–03Conference6000000060Stevenage Borough (loan)2004–05Conference2000000020West Ham United (loan)2004–05Championship0000000000Stevenage Borough (loan)2004–05Conference1000000010Bristol City (loan)2005–06League One0000000000Barnet (loan)2006–07League Two6000000060Sheffield Wednesday2007–08Championship2000100030Lincoln City2008–09League Two4602010004902009–10League Two46030101Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy0510Total9205020101000Notts County2010–11League One1502010101902011–12League One0000000000Total150201010190Career total12407040201370
Coaching career On 21 June 2019, Fulham announced Burch as their new goalkeeping coach having previously held coaching roles with Tottenham Hotspur and The Football Association. – Rob Burch Appointed Goalkeeping Coach On 27 June 2023, Tottenham announced Burch as their new First Team Goalkeeping Coach under newly appointed head coach Ange Postecoglou, starting from 1 July 2023. Burch left the club in July 2025.
International career Burch is a former England Under-20 keeper.
Personal life Robert Burch grew up in West Camel with his parents Keith and Barbara, as well as his older sister Fran. He attended Countess Gytha Primary School in Queen Camel., Double helping of fun for villagers. After primary school Rob attended Ansford Community School in Ansford, which is now known as Ansford Academy., Ansford Academy. Burch proposed to his girlfriend on the This Morning television programme on 14 February 2008. She is a producer on the show, and he surprised her backstage with a little help from Fern Britton The couple were married in 2009.
References
External links (Soccerbase have spread Burch's stats over two pages) (Soccerbase have spread Burch's stats over two pages)