Philip Leonardus Walker (29 August 1954 – 7 July 2022) was an English professional footballer who played as a central midfielder. He played for Millwall, Charlton Athletic and Gillingham in the English Football League. After a brief spell with Eastern AA of Hong Kong, he finished his career with eleven years in Portugal with Leixões, Boavista and Maia. His nephew is the Southampton player, Kyle Walker-Peters.[1]
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Philip Leonardus Walker | ||
| Date of birth | 29 August 1954 | ||
| Place of birth | London, England | ||
| Date of death | 8 July 2022 (aged 67) | ||
| Position(s) | Central midfielder | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| Cobham | |||
| 1974–1975 | Epsom & Ewell | 41 | (19) |
| 1975–1979 | Millwall | 146 | (17) |
| 1979–1983 | Charlton Athletic | 89 | (15) |
| 1983 | → Gillingham (loan) | 2 | (0) |
| 1983 | Eastern | ||
| 1984 | Leixões | ||
| 1984–1991 | Boavista | 193 | (7) |
| 1991–1995 | Maia | ||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Career
editBorn in London, Walker joined Millwall in 1975 having played for non-league sides Epsom & Ewell and Cobham prior to that, quickly establishing himself in the centre of the team's midfield.[2] One of the first notable black players in the club's history, he garnered renown as a skilful player with excellent passing; he moved to Charlton Athletic in 1979, and remained there until 1983 when he briefly joined Hong Kong club Eastern AA.
Walker spent half a season with Portuguese club Leixões before moving on at the age of 30 to Boavista.[3] He quickly established himself in the starting eleven, and was a first-choice player for the vast majority of his seven-year spell.
After nearly five seasons with northern neighbours Maia, then playing in the Portuguese Second Division, Walker retired at the age of 41. He subsequently had a brief stint as Maia's coach in the early 2000s.[4]
Later life
editFollowing his retirement, Walker returned to England and set up a soccer school in Wandsworth, London. He died on 8 July 2022.[5][6]
References
edit- ^ Giacomelli, Marco (15 August 2017). "'Even the Arsenal fans in the family are proud of Kyle Walker-Peters!'". Evening Standard. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
- ^ "Matchday programme" (PDF). Hartney Wintney FC. 6 December 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 March 2014. Retrieved 18 October 2012.
- ^ "Época 1984/85: Primeira Divisão" [1984–85 season: First Division]. Arquivos da Bola (in Portuguese). 24 June 2007. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
- ^ "Técnico Phil Walker quer regressar às vitórias" [Coach Phil Walker wants to return to winning]. Record (in Portuguese). 25 October 2003. Archived from the original on 21 October 2013. Retrieved 21 October 2013.
- ^ "RIP Phil Walker (1954 - 2022)". www.gillinghamfootballclub.com. 11 July 2022. Retrieved 12 July 2022.
- ^ Phil Walker Football
External links
edit- Official website
- TotalSoccer profile[permanent dead link]
- "Millwall Hall of Fame profile". Archived from the original on 20 January 2012. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
- Millwall stats at Post War English & Scottish Football League A–Z Player's Transfer Database
- Charlton stat at Post War English & Scottish Football League A–Z Player's Transfer Database
- Phil Walker at ForaDeJogo (archived)
