Walker: Willis

1914-1919 (Leeds City Player Details) (Leeds City War-time Guest Player Details)

Goalkeeper

Born: Gosforth, Northumberland: 24-11-1892

Debut: v Arsenal (a): 06-02-1915

5’10” 11st 4lb (1914)

A gifted all-round sportsman Walker started playing cricket and football with Sheffield United C.C. and First Division Sheffield United at Bramall Lane in 1911. He was unable to make the First Division first team and left for Midland League Doncaster Rovers in 1912 without making his debut. He made better progress with Doncaster after initially starting as understudy to Harry Bromage. In May 1914 he joined Second Division Leeds City and had played fourteen games before the War brought an end to Football League fixtures. He volunteered for the Royal Navy but guested for City whenever service would allow. He returned to Elland Road in 1919 and played in all eight fixtures before the club was suspended by the Football League. He was one of the players to go under the hammer at the Hotel Metropole Auction and brought a bid of £800 from South Shields, who he joined in October 1919. Walker gave South Shields excellent service for almost six seasons, including being ever-present in two seasons and had played one hundred and ninety-two League and nine F.A. Cup games by the time he left for Third Division North Bradford Park Avenue in 1925 He played thirty-four League and two F.A. Cup games in his one season at Park Avenue before leaving for Third Division North Stockport County in August 1926 and finished his career there after making nineteen League and one F.A. Cup appearances. He was a class batsman for Nottinghamshire in the Cricket County Championship and scored a thousand runs in a season on ten occasions. He also played in the Bradford League for Keighley, where he established a sports shop, which still exists today. He died in Keighley on 3rd December 1991 aged ninety-nine.