Andy Walker (football manager)
Encyclopedia
Andy Walker was manager of English football
team Middlesbrough F.C.
from June 1910 to January 1911.
Following Andy Aitken
's departure in February 1909, Boro had been managed by secretary-manager John Gunter
for sixteen months before Walker signed on 1910-06-27.
Controversy was set to follow Walker throughout his brief time as manager. Soon after his appointment, he was in trouble for illegally approaching one of his former Airdrie players to try and convince him to sign for Boro. He was caught and banned for four weeks, while the club were fined £100.
In December 1910, chairman Thomas Gibson-Poole, the local Conservative Party
candidate, believed that if Middlesbrough beat Sunderland
in the derby game at Ayresome Park
two days prior to the election, it would improve his chances of winning. Before the game took place, Walker offered Sunderland captain Charlie Thompson
£30 to throw the match, but he rejected and reported the matter to his chairman who subsequently informed the Football Association
. Middlesbrough actually won the game but Gibson-Poole lost the election by over 3000 votes.
On 1911-01-16, an FA Commission decided that money had been offered and both Walker and Gibson-Poole were suspended from football for life. Some believed that Walker had only been a pawn, but despite a 12,500 strong petition to the FA to reconsider his ban, it was upheld.
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
team Middlesbrough F.C.
Middlesbrough F.C.
Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
from June 1910 to January 1911.
Following Andy Aitken
Andy Aitken (footballer born 1877)
Andy "Daddler" Aitken was one of the early game's most prominent players.After playing for local Ayrshire sides, he signed for Second Division Newcastle United in 1895, then in only their third football league season...
's departure in February 1909, Boro had been managed by secretary-manager John Gunter
John Gunter
John Gunter was secretary-manager of Middlesbrough F.C. from February 1909 to June 1910.Following the departure of Andy Aitken to Leicester Fosse, Boro were left without a manager in name for sixteen months, and so the responsibilities of management fell to secretary John Gunter.Gunter joined the...
for sixteen months before Walker signed on 1910-06-27.
Controversy was set to follow Walker throughout his brief time as manager. Soon after his appointment, he was in trouble for illegally approaching one of his former Airdrie players to try and convince him to sign for Boro. He was caught and banned for four weeks, while the club were fined £100.
In December 1910, chairman Thomas Gibson-Poole, the local Conservative Party
Conservative Party (UK)
The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
candidate, believed that if Middlesbrough beat Sunderland
Sunderland A.F.C.
Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
in the derby game at Ayresome Park
Ayresome Park
-External links:**-References:...
two days prior to the election, it would improve his chances of winning. Before the game took place, Walker offered Sunderland captain Charlie Thompson
Charles Bellany Thomson
Charles "Charlie" Bellany Thomson was a Scottish footballer who played for Heart of Midlothian, Sunderland and the Scotland national team....
£30 to throw the match, but he rejected and reported the matter to his chairman who subsequently informed the Football Association
The Football Association
The Football Association, also known as simply The FA, is the governing body of football in England, and the Crown Dependencies of Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man. It was formed in 1863, and is the oldest national football association...
. Middlesbrough actually won the game but Gibson-Poole lost the election by over 3000 votes.
On 1911-01-16, an FA Commission decided that money had been offered and both Walker and Gibson-Poole were suspended from football for life. Some believed that Walker had only been a pawn, but despite a 12,500 strong petition to the FA to reconsider his ban, it was upheld.