Dick Walker's three decade association with West Ham began during the 1932–33 season. Playing for Becontree Athletic on Sunday mornings, Walker was spotted by a club scout and given a trial. He played for the club in the London Midweek League, but moved to west London club Park Royal for the following season.[4]
After a home clash against Park Royal, West Ham re-signed the player and he made his first-team debut as right-half against Burnley on 27 August 1934.[5] After featuring in a number of defensive positions, he finally settled into centre-half as replacement for Jim Barrett in 1936.[4]
During World War II, Walker served with an infantry battalion who fought from El Alamein to Italy and was several times mentioned in dispatches. He played football for the Army whilst on duty in the Middle East and also took leave to play games for West Ham. Upon his return from action, he took the captaincy and played league football with the club until his final game on 18 February 1953, against Plymouth Argyle at Upton Park. He totalled 292 league appearances for the club, scoring two goals.[5] The following four years would see Walker play more than 200 further reserve and A team games until the end of the 1956–57 season, when his playing contract was not renewed by Ted Fenton.[4] He was then offered a job cleaning players' boots at £4 a week (equivalent to £100 in 2023).[6] He received a testimonial in October 1957 against Sparta Rotterdam.[7]
He left the club having made over 600 appearances including wartime competitions.[7]
Walker went on to become coach to Dagenham and later joined Spurs as a scout.[4]
Referencesedit
^"West Ham. 'We can't go on being pipped'". Sunday Dispatch Football Guide. London. 23 August 1936. p. vi – via Newspapers.com.
^Joyce, Michael (2012) [2002]. Football League Players' Records 1888 to 1939. Nottingham: SoccerData. p. 298. ISBN978-1-905891-61-0.
^Dick Walker at the English National Football Archive (subscription required)
^ abcdeHogg, Tony (2005). Who's Who of West Ham United. Profile Sports Media. p. 208. ISBN1-903135-50-8.
^ ab"Richard Walker". westhamstats.info. Retrieved 20 January 2007.
^"Dick Walker". Spartacus Educational. Retrieved 25 February 2018.
This biographical article related to association football in England, about a defender born in the 1910s, is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.
dick, walker, footballer, born, 1913, edward, richard, walter, walker, july, 1913, february, 1988, english, footballer, played, west, united, dick, walkerpersonal, informationfull, nameedward, richard, walter, walkerdate, birth, 1913, july, 1913place, birthhac. Edward Richard Walter Walker 22 July 1913 February 1988 was an English footballer who played for West Ham United 2 3 Dick WalkerPersonal informationFull nameEdward Richard Walter WalkerDate of birth 1913 07 22 22 July 1913Place of birthHackney EnglandDate of deathFebruary 1988 1988 03 aged 74 Height5 ft 11 in 1 80 m 1 Position s Centre halfYouth careerBecontree AthleticSenior career YearsTeamApps Gls 1932 1933West Ham United0 0 1933 1934Park Royal1934 1957West Ham United292 2 Club domestic league appearances and goals He was born in Hackney London 4 Dick Walker s three decade association with West Ham began during the 1932 33 season Playing for Becontree Athletic on Sunday mornings Walker was spotted by a club scout and given a trial He played for the club in the London Midweek League but moved to west London club Park Royal for the following season 4 After a home clash against Park Royal West Ham re signed the player and he made his first team debut as right half against Burnley on 27 August 1934 5 After featuring in a number of defensive positions he finally settled into centre half as replacement for Jim Barrett in 1936 4 During World War II Walker served with an infantry battalion who fought from El Alamein to Italy and was several times mentioned in dispatches He played football for the Army whilst on duty in the Middle East and also took leave to play games for West Ham Upon his return from action he took the captaincy and played league football with the club until his final game on 18 February 1953 against Plymouth Argyle at Upton Park He totalled 292 league appearances for the club scoring two goals 5 The following four years would see Walker play more than 200 further reserve and A team games until the end of the 1956 57 season when his playing contract was not renewed by Ted Fenton 4 He was then offered a job cleaning players boots at 4 a week equivalent to 100 in 2023 6 He received a testimonial in October 1957 against Sparta Rotterdam 7 He left the club having made over 600 appearances including wartime competitions 7 Walker went on to become coach to Dagenham and later joined Spurs as a scout 4 References edit West Ham We can t go on being pipped Sunday Dispatch Football Guide London 23 August 1936 p vi via Newspapers com Joyce Michael 2012 2002 Football League Players Records 1888 to 1939 Nottingham SoccerData p 298 ISBN 978 1 905891 61 0 Dick Walker at the English National Football Archive subscription required a b c d e Hogg Tony 2005 Who s Who of West Ham United Profile Sports Media p 208 ISBN 1 903135 50 8 a b Richard Walker westhamstats info Retrieved 20 January 2007 Dick Walker Spartacus Educational Retrieved 25 February 2018 a b Marsh Steve Dick Walker Testimonial theyflysohigh co uk Retrieved 25 February 2018 nbsp nbsp This biographical article related to association football in England about a defender born in the 1910s is a stub You can help Wikipedia by expanding it vte Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Dick Walker footballer born 1913 amp oldid 1220833166, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
