Career
Born in Higham, Barnsley, Yorkshire, England, Birtles first played for Higham Town, and then at 17 years old, in the Football League for Barnsley in the 1903-1904 season. After playing in the league for them for three seasons he moved to Southern League side Swindon Town where he made 39 appearances for Swindon in all comepetitions, scoring 8 goals. and Portsmouth. After his time at Portsmouth, Birtles returned to play in the league for Barnsley in 1910-1911.
Later, he played with Rotherham County, Northampton Town and finally at Doncaster Rovers, who were at that time in the Midland League.
He was a right-handed batsman who scored 876 runs at 19.04, with a best of 104 against Lancashire in the Roses Match played at Bramall Lane, Sheffield, in July 1914. Promoted to open the innings in Yorkshire"s second innings, his century was by far the highest score of a drawn match.
He also bowled six overs in his career without success. He played for Barnsley Cricket Club for twenty years, and was also coach at Gresham"s School, Holt, Norfolk.
In 1913, he headed the Yorkshire 2nd XI batting averages with 413 runs at 51.61.
Birtles died in Attenborough, Nottinghamshire, in January 1971.
