Nigel Walker (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Nigel Walker was an English
professional football midfielder
. He played in The Football League
for six clubs as well as the North American Soccer League
and Major Indoor Soccer League.
. He turned professional with Newcastle United
in July 1977, making his debut in a 1–1 draw with Bristol City
in Football League Division One. His first goal arrived the following season against Leicester City
. After 81 first-team appearances, Walker departed for the United States of America to play for the San Diego Sockers in the North American Soccer League
in 1982. Earlier in the season he had joined Plymouth Argyle
but returned to Newcastle without making any first-team appearances. At the end of the 1982 NASL season, the Sockers entered the Major Indoor Soccer League for the 1982-1983 season. Walker played two games for the Sockers in the MISL before returning to England.
In January 1983 Walker returned to England
when he joined Division Four side Crewe Alexandra
on non-contract terms. The following summer saw him move back to the north-east with Sunderland
, but his only first-team outing was a substitute appearance against Watford
at Roker Park
. He spent time on loan with Blackpool
in the closing stages of the 1983–84
season.
Walker moved to Chester City
in July 1984, making his debut on the opening day of the new season against Scunthorpe United
. He went on to score a derby winner from the penalty spot against Wrexham
and a hat-trick via his left foot, right foot and head in a 4–4 draw against Swindon Town
in May 1985. At the end of the campaign he opted to move to fellow Division Four side Hartlepool United
, where he played for two years.
In 1987 Walker joined non-league side Blyth Spartans, where he played for five years before joining Dunston Federation. Outside football he gained a first class honours degree in computing from Newcastle Polytechnic and became a maths teacher at Greencroft Business and Enterprise Community School
in Annfield Plain
.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
professional football midfielder
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
. He played in The Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
for six clubs as well as the North American Soccer League
North American Soccer League
North American Soccer League was a professional soccer league with teams in the United States and Canada that operated from 1968 to 1984.-History:...
and Major Indoor Soccer League.
Playing career
Walker began his career on the books of non-league side WhickhamWhickham F.C.
Whickham FC are an English football club based in Whickham, Tyne and Wear, playing in the Northern League Division Two in the English football league system...
. He turned professional with Newcastle United
Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
in July 1977, making his debut in a 1–1 draw with Bristol City
Bristol City F.C.
Bristol City Football Club is one of two football league clubs in Bristol, England . They play at Ashton Gate, located in the south-west of the City...
in Football League Division One. His first goal arrived the following season against Leicester City
Leicester City F.C.
Leicester City Football Club , also known as The Foxes, is an English professional football club based at the King Power Stadium in Leicester...
. After 81 first-team appearances, Walker departed for the United States of America to play for the San Diego Sockers in the North American Soccer League
North American Soccer League
North American Soccer League was a professional soccer league with teams in the United States and Canada that operated from 1968 to 1984.-History:...
in 1982. Earlier in the season he had joined Plymouth Argyle
Plymouth Argyle F.C.
Plymouth Argyle Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Plymouth, Devon, that plays in Football League Two.Since becoming professional in 1903, the club has won five Football League titles, five Southern League titles and one Western League title. The 2009–10 season was the...
but returned to Newcastle without making any first-team appearances. At the end of the 1982 NASL season, the Sockers entered the Major Indoor Soccer League for the 1982-1983 season. Walker played two games for the Sockers in the MISL before returning to England.
In January 1983 Walker returned to England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
when he joined Division Four side Crewe Alexandra
Crewe Alexandra F.C.
Crewe Alexandra Football Club is an English professional football club based in Crewe, Cheshire. Nicknamed The Railwaymen due to the town's links with the rail industry, they currently play in Football League Two, the fourth tier of English football, and are based at the Alexandra Stadium.The club...
on non-contract terms. The following summer saw him move back to the north-east with 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...
, but his only first-team outing was a substitute appearance against Watford
Watford
Watford is a town and borough in Hertfordshire, England, situated northwest of central London and within the bounds of the M25 motorway. The borough is separated from Greater London to the south by the urbanised parish of Watford Rural in the Three Rivers District.Watford was created as an urban...
at Roker Park
Roker Park
Roker Park was an English football stadium situated in Roker, Sunderland. The stadium was the home of the English football club Sunderland A.F.C. from 1897 to 1997 before the club moved to the Stadium of Light. Near the end of the stadium's history, its capacity was around 22,500 with only a small...
. He spent time on loan with Blackpool
Blackpool F.C.
Blackpool Football Club are an English football club founded in 1887 from the Lancashire seaside town of Blackpool. They are competing in the 2011–12 season of the The Championship, the second tier of professional football in England, having been relegated from the Premier League at the end of the...
in the closing stages of the 1983–84
1983-84 in English football
The 1983–84 season was the 104th season of competitive football in England.- First Division :Liverpool had a great first season under the management of Joe Fagan as they wrapped up their third successive league title and the 15th in their history...
season.
Walker moved to Chester City
Chester City F.C.
Chester City Football Club was an English football team from Chester. The club was founded as Chester F.C., and joined the Football League in 1931, spending most of their time in the lower divisions. They changed their name to Chester City in 1983. Chester won their first league title in 2004, the...
in July 1984, making his debut on the opening day of the new season against Scunthorpe United
Scunthorpe United F.C.
Scunthorpe United Football Club is an English association football team based in the town of Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, who play in the Football League One....
. He went on to score a derby winner from the penalty spot against Wrexham
Wrexham A.F.C.
Wrexham Football Club are a professional football team based in Wrexham, north-east Wales, who play in the English football pyramid.Founded in 1872, they are one of the oldest surviving football clubs in Britain and the oldest professional club in Wales...
and a hat-trick via his left foot, right foot and head in a 4–4 draw against Swindon Town
Swindon Town F.C.
Swindon Town Football Club are a team based in Swindon, Wiltshire. Currently in League Two, Swindon have been managed by Paolo Di Canio since 23 May 2011...
in May 1985. At the end of the campaign he opted to move to fellow Division Four side Hartlepool United
Hartlepool United F.C.
Hartlepool United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Hartlepool that currently play in League One. The team won promotion to League One in the 2006–07 season...
, where he played for two years.
In 1987 Walker joined non-league side Blyth Spartans, where he played for five years before joining Dunston Federation. Outside football he gained a first class honours degree in computing from Newcastle Polytechnic and became a maths teacher at Greencroft Business and Enterprise Community School
Greencroft Business and Enterprise Community School
Greencroft School is a comprehensive school in Annfield Plain, County Durham, England. Greencroft houses both male and female students from the ages of 11 to 16. The school has specialist school status as a business and enterprise college...
in Annfield Plain
Annfield Plain
Annfield Plain is a village in County Durham, in England. It is situated on a plateau between the towns of Stanley, to the north-east, and Consett, to the west. According to the 2001 census, Annfield Plain has a population of 3,569. Along with much of the surrounding area, Annfield Plain's...
.