Willie Walker

Willie Walker was an outside left who played at Fulham from 1909 until 1921. He was a pacey and direct winger who made 170 League appearances for the Whites. He became the first Fulham player to be sent off in a match since David Lloyd in 1902.

Before Fulham
Born and raised in Darlington, Willie had prevously played at amateur level for Darlington Albion, where he won Durham Junior League & Cup medals. This led to a trial with Darlington, though they didn't end up signing him permanently. Later on he moved to another amateur club in the same area, Darlington St Augustine. It was here that he played alongside Alf Marshall, who would join him in his move down to Fulham.

Fulham (1909-1921)
Willie, along side Marshall, signed for Fulham in September 1909 and became a professional footballer for the first time at the age of 18. Despite his tender age, he made an instant impression and forced his way into the first team during 1909-10, making 17 League appearances along with 5 goals. He earned himself a London Challenge Cup winners' medal the very same season as Fulham claimed the trophy in 1910.

He became the first Fulham player in the Football League to be sent off in February 1913, during a 3-2 win away at Bradford Park Avenue, where he retaliated following being repeatedly fouled. This was the first instance of a sending off by a Fulham player since 1902, when David Lloyd received his marching orders for punching a Watford player during an FA Cup tie.

He was the first choice left winger for his first four or five seasons, his play proving to be as more of a provider than a scorer of goals, though Bobby Templeton would take his place for the majority of 1914.

Willie served for the British Army in the First World War and was stationed in Palestine, where he was poorly for a period of time having contracted malaria.

After the war, he competed with Frank Penn for the outside left spot but still managed 26 appearances in the 1919-20 season. He fell out of favour completely the following season, and this led to his move away from Craven Cottage.

After Fulham
After more than a decade with Fulham, Willie signed for Lincoln City in August 1921. Unfortunately, by May 1922 he went out of the game for a good 18 months and was let go by his club. He did, however make a handful more appearances for them in January 1924 as a trial but was not signed.

He was 76 when he passed away back in his hometown of Darlington in March 1968.

Fulham Matches
Editing in progress