Jimmy Walker Player Profile 2003/2004

By 4two
July 20 2003

Jimmy is in his Testimonial year, and his third succsesive year in Division 1. New Page 1

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Name James Walker
Height 5.11
Place of birth Nortinhgam
Date of Birth 9.9.1973
Squad number 1

Position(s)

Goalkeeper

Description

 Experienced shot stopper
Date Joined Summer 1993
Value £300-600,000
TSFC Rating * * * * *
TSFC MOTM 5
Club Lg Gls FAC Gls Lg Cup Gls
Walsall 358(3) 0 29 0 22(1) 0
Notts C'ty - - - - - -

Player attributes

When a young Jimmy Walker came to Bescot in the Summer of 1993 he found himself deputizing for Northern Ireland international Trevor Wood. Wood was in fine form that season, but Jimmy appeared in the 0-0 draw against Bury that got us the precious promotion point.

It took two seasons for Jimmy to establish him as Walsall's number 1, and he hasn't looked back since. Emberson, Harper and Ward, all good keepers have failed to keep Jimmy out of the team.

It looked as though Carl Emberson had dislodged Jimmy in early 99/00, after dodgy performances against the Canaries and Notts Forest. Jimmy won his place back after a couple games and Emberson never got another look in. The club got relegated that season, but Jim was about to bounce back with his best 12 months ever in a Saddlers shirt.

2000/2001 saw Walker in great form. He got in to the Second Division Select XI, and played an important role in the Play Off victory in Cardiff.

2001/2002, and Jimmy won the player of the season award as the Saddlers cemented their place in the first division. It was without a doubt Jimmy's best season as a Saddlers player, and with his contract running out in the Summer bigger clubs were sniffing around.

Everton, Portsmouth, Southampton and Sheffield United are supposed to have shown an interest in Jim, who the fans thought was on his way out. Then the unexpected happened, Jim signed a new contract with the Saddlers and again played a crucial role in survival. It wasn't plain sailing for Jim, red cards against Preston and Burnley for bad / rash goalkeeping decisions saw him miss a number of games.

An unfortunate bobble in the pitch saw him miss kick a back pass against against Wolves, which provided the game with its only goal, while a 5 goal defeat away to Preston was another low points. No one will ever forget his heroics against Brighton, Rotherham and the other games where we held on by the skin of our teeth. He was up amongst the front runners when it came to the player of the season, but lost out to Ian Roper.

It is now Jims testimonial year, a game against the Blues is lined up as well as a host of other events.

check out www.jimmywalker.co.uk for more !
Player attributes
Jimmy isn't the tallest of goalkeepers, but he is very agile and his kicking is his finest asset. His handling is good, and the defenders know they can rely on him when he is called on. A good communicator and an excellent leader , Walker occasionally skippers the side. He is a confident keeper, possibly one of the best to ever play for Walsall.

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