Biography
William Walker was one of several players plucked from the North East lower leagues scene in the early months of ex-Newcastle United defender Bill McCracken’s tenure as Hull City manager. Walker – full name John William Walker – was born in High Spen near Gateshead and had a successful 1922/23 season with County Durham based Northern League side Langley Park prior to joining the Tigers, playing in every game for the Northern League side and scoring 15 goals. he was signed by the Tigers in July 1923 amidst interest from top flight clubs Burnley and Tottenham Hotspur.
His one season at Hull City yielded five appearances at inside right, two in early September 1923 when he scored his only goal for the Tigers in a 1-1 at Lancastrian side Nelson, then three in February 1924 when McCracken’s side was in poor form and looking for new front five combinations to stimulate an improvement. Walker’s final appearance for City yielded a 1-0 victory at South Shields.
Released by Hull City in the 1924 close season, he returned to the Durham lower league scene. Walker settled back in his home town Gateshead and worked as a tailor, he was living in Deckham, Gateshead and employed as a tailoring manager when he died in hospital in December 1964.
Details
Nationality: England
Date/Place of Birth: 8 October 1898, High Spen
Hull City First Game: 22 September 1923, Nelson H (Division Two), 24 years, 335 days old
Hull City Final Game: 23 February 1924, South Shields A (Division Two), 25 years, 138 days old
Clubs
Langley Park, Hull City (1923-1924), Leadgate Park
Hull City Record
Career: 5 apps, 1 goals
William Walker| Season | LGE App | LGE Gls | FAC App | FAC Gls | FLC App | FLC Gls | EUR App | EUR Gls | OTH App | OTH Gls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1923/24 | 5 | 1 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |